[JShafer]

They can, and I'm sure they would if Cedar Fair wanted them to.

I saw an interview with one of the spokesmen for Carowinds, and they said that they wanted to bring back the way the ride use to be, to create some nostalgia .... In my opinion that's a fake excuse and I think they just don't want to spend the cash for custom trains. Again, just my opinion though.

[chunkyskunk]

I am thrilled all trains are running forward and are racing again as they use to. I was riding today and the southern side (new red coaster track side) was slower loading that the other side and they held up the other side until the side I was on was ready to go and they went out together. Good for them. It is one of a few racing coasters remaining and it should be racing. I found the backward thing someone painful in the neck area. Even though I will agree being on the back (front) car and going down the drop was cool but other than that, no thanks. This off season will be year #3 or a 5 year rebuilt on the coaster. The current rebuilt sections are great. The coaster should still be around another 30+ years or more to come.

[chunkyskunk]

I am thrilled all trains are running forward and are racing again as they use to. I was riding today and the southern side (new red coaster track side) was slower loading that the other side and they held up the other side until the side I was on was ready to go and they went out together. Good for them. It is one of a few racing coasters remaining and it should be racing. I found the backward thing someone painful in the neck area. Even though I will agree being on the back (front) car and going down the drop was cool but other than that, no thanks. This off season will be year #3 or a 5 year rebuilt on the coaster. The current rebuilt sections are great. The coaster should still be around another 30+ years or more to come.

[RacerAlex]

Just curious... with the restoration has anyone heard anything about possibly returning to the white paint? I sure would love to see Thunder Road restored to original condition with the white sturcture and the green "interstate road sign" at the top of the lift. While we're wishing, I'd also love to see new trains with custom car fronts like the origanl Chevy and Ford.

IMO Thunder Road is a pretty special ride. John Allen original design (Racer) penned by a very young Curtis Summer. Just about 10 feet taller than both its racing cousins and a few hundred feet longer.

[Jay]

This was asked during Coaster Stock. The white paint will never return while Cedar Fair are owners. They said the paint was too damaging to the wood with all the weather that coasters are exposed to throughout the year.

[Whitesoxsfan21]

Yep. If you look at the wood that is white at the break run and at the turn to the lift , it is pretty damaged.

[RacerAlex]

Thanks for the reply. Still seems odd. I mean Fairly odd coaster is painted and so is Blue Steak at CF's home park. Both Racer and Rebal Yell retained their white paint over the years.

Generally in construction paint offers wood protection from the elements. I wonder if its the specific wood used, the specific original paint used, or just plain neglect over the years. I'm still some what disappointed she won't be returned to her original grand white appearance.

[PreferParamount]

Yeah, Im not sure that I believe what they said about the would being damaged, but I would think that Fairly odd coaster is easier to keep painted as it is significantly smaller than thunder road. (although if you have ridden the Fairly odd coaster laely you would realize that a lot of the structure isn't painted.)

Non related but a cool fact, I wonce asked mechanic about the paint and the structure of (scobbie-do ghoster coaster at the time) and he said they replace each board whenever it becomes to damaged; and that over a ten year period, every board in the structure will have been replaced. And they try to repaint it purple again when "too many boards are unpainted."

[RctWeekly]

Does anyone know if Thunder Road will be getting new trains in 2012 when it is completed since GCI is doing the new Thunder Road.

[Dude]

Does anyone know if Thunder Road will be getting new trains in 2012 when it is completed since GCI is doing the new Thunder Road.

I hope so, becuase i never rode or seen these GCI trains (only in picture).

[Coaster_Crazy09]

Im not sure if anyone has heard this talk episode from behind the thrills. Some where I saw someone ask when they were going to start work back on Thunder Road. I was suppose to be a five year plan but from what Danni says on this show it has been changed to a 6 year plan. Heres the link, it answers all kinds of questions. From Thunder Road to the new Intimidator.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/behindthet ... 28/episode

[derek_lentz]

They have taken apart the inner part of the turnaround

[Dude]

Are these recent or old??

[coasterbruh]

dude...no really, dude....im gonna give you a chance to really think about that question being that thunder road operated the 2009 season and now here are pictures showing parts now taken off it...not to mention the post right above it.

[Dude]

I was just asking dang.