 |
| © NewsPlusNotes |
Just before the end of 2017 we
learned that the Stinger roller coaster at Dorney Park would not be sticking around for the 2018 season - or for any future season for that matter. This surprise news came with a bit of shock, but while sad to see a coaster go, there was a sense of understanding from both Dorney Park fans and general visitors.
Fast forward to now, and the time has come for the ride to hit the road. Earlier this week crews began the process of deconstructing the ride, and we were able to get some photos of the progress today.
Up top is a photo of the ride's entrance marquee, now removed, and what is currently left of the ride.
 |
| © NewsPlusNotes |
Moving a bit closer, you can get a sense for how the area - which was once home to Laser, a compact Schwarzkopf looper, is once again being opened up. Crews are working fast, with probably about 50% of the ride's track and supports already removed this week.
 |
| © NewsPlusNotes |
While pretty evident in the last photo, if we move in even closer we can answer that burning (pun intended) question of whether Stinger will be showing up at any other amusement park... and that's a big nope.
Fans did spot a posting for the ride that listed it for sale over the winter, but one could assume that no interested parties stepped up. The crews are not carefully dismantling each piece of track and support, instead they are simply cutting through the structure in order to haul it away.
 |
| © NewsPlusNotes |
This view looks back at where the ride's cobra roll once stood, now just little stumps of concrete with a bit of steel support poking out of them. The first task is removing the physical track and supports, but afterward the footings - which extend down rather far into the ground - will be removed as well. Just like the steel is recycled, so are the concrete footings.
 |
| © NewsPlusNotes |
Here's a look at what is still standing, we have a bit of the bottom of the vertical loop and then the two lift towers. The train has already been removed and was not on site, and the foundation for the station is already being broken up. The lift towers will require a bit more planning and calculation in order to come down carefully. The Vekoma
Invertigo coasters are known for having a large top piece at the highest point, weighing a massive amount and used to support both side of the track and lift mechanisms.
 |
| © NewsPlusNotes |
But for now crews are still working on getting the rest of Stinger's vertical loop removed. Here you can see the scorch marks on the ends of the track pieces from where they've been cut off. I know nothing of steel cutting, but I'm sure it takes a ridiculously high temperature to cut through the ride like that!
 |
| © NewsPlusNotes |
There are a couple other places on the track still standing where some early cut marks are clear, I'm guessing these will be followed up next week with more to make this a break point for the track to come off.
 |
| © NewsPlusNotes |
But when the track does come off, it's kept in a neat pile until it's shipped off site to be recycled. These pieces were probably some of the last removed before the work week ended, and will head out of the park early next week when the work picks up again. At this rate, it won't be long until Stinger totally disappears from the Dorney Park skyline.
 |
| © NewsPlusNotes |
It is quite strange to be covering the deconstruction of Stinger. I remember trying to get to the park before the sun set on Haunt Fridays during the end of 2011 to get photos
to share with you all on the construction of the ride! So this is really now full circle on the coaster, but the removal of the ride is definitely a step toward the future for the park in my mind.
Oh, and for this year, at least, the Stinger area will be a nice grassy area. But what the future holds for the space we shall wait and see... remember Laser closed after 2008 and Stinger didn't open until 2012 - so it may be a bit on that front, or not.
But wait, there's more! At least there will be, I also have another story coming in the near future showcasing all the other changes that Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom are featuring in 2018, including updates on Tidal Wave Cafe, some Thunderhawk news, dining changes and more!
0 comments:
Post a Comment