[charlotteguy02]

As some of you may or may not know, next year is Thunder Road's 30th year. Do we know if there is anything special being done to commemorate this event?

Also, on a related note, does anyone know what ever became of the old Thunder Road trains? I know they removed them because of their weight and the wear and tear on the ride, but are they still out there?

[CoasterChris]

I wouldn't mind seeing a 30 hour riding marathon.

[coasterdave]

30 hour marathon you ask. I wonder just how many would last the whole 30 hours? Anyone think it would be easy to sit on the coaster with only five minute breaks at the top of each hour?

[CoasterChris]

I think i could do it. I have always wanted to try some type of marathon.

[Cephas]

I think I could do it, it just depends what row I'm in.

I think they should theme the country fair section to nascarville and paint TR white for TR's 30th!

[CoasterChris]

Maybe bring back the look of the old trains just for one year.

[swampfox43]

I would love to see some kind of commemorative event or recognition for Thunder Roads 30th Anniversary. Maybe we here at CC can come up with some ideas and present them to the park.

Funny you should mention a marathon. I am grinning as I write this as it reminds me of something I did back in ohhhh, say 1980. I can't remember the exact year but it was a good while back.

Anyway, I decided that I wanted to break the Guiness Record on roller coaster marathoning. I can't remember to save my life what or where the record was held when I made my quest but I wrote a letter to Carowinds asking them if they would be willing to let me marathon on Thunder Road to break the worlds record. To my surprise, they actually responded back to me a couple weeks later. The answer was, well......you guessed it. NO! They seemed to be flattered that I wanted to do this on their coaster but I just don't think they wanted to run the ride that long continuously.

Now, about those original <a href='http://members.aol.com/k9660r/thunder2.html' target='_blank'>trains.</a> First of all, I am sure many of the forum members could care less about these old coaster trains. But, there are history nuts out there like myself that do care, and don't stop until they find answers.

As some of you know, the original TR trains came from a great old amusement park in Chicago called <a href='http://www.riverviewparkchicago.com/homepage.html' target='_blank'>RIVERVIEW PARK</a> (now defunct). In fact, I visited the former site of Riverview Park when I was in Chicago last weekend. The last woodie to be built at Riverview was the <a href='http://www.riverviewparkchicago.com/generic.html?pid=8' target='_blank'>JETSTREAM</a> coaster. It wasn't the biggest or baddest coaster but that is where TR's train came from when the park closed in 1967.

Through several phone calls and tireless research back in the late 1980's and early 1990's, I have come to the conclusion that those old trains were scrapped. Obviously, there was no foresight as to the historical significance of those trains and those I have spoke with from Carowinds wish they had preserved them in some fashion even if they could have donated them to ACE for the new museum. But, that did not happen so all we are left with are pictures and videos.

[CoasterChris]

That just sucks that they were just scrapped. Maybe they could make a lightweight face to attach to the front of the trains to look like they did long ago. That would be the next best thing.

Also i had an idea about just for next year makeing both trains foward like the old days and they have to race.

[dukefanswimmer89]

^ some of the better ride ops this year have been pretty interactive... u have to get lucky to catch them though.... they race them, and announce who won.. its always fun that way...

but i like the idea of turning the backwards train around, and having them race...

the nascar theme isn't a bad idea either....

[carowindsfreak13]

Yeah, they even pump up the people waiting.

[Dukeis#1]

paint TR white for TR's 30th!

I agree. B)

I like the marathon idea too, but I believe it was stated here some time ago that the park has already said "NO" to such events.

[coasterdave]

I think i could do it. I have always wanted to try some type of marathon.

As long as you think you can do it always a good start. I have had the chance to do something like this down the road at Six Flags over Ga. afew years back when the GASM turned 30. I though it could not be that bad. It is only 30 hours riding a coaster.

After about 15 hours I was saying I have done some really crazy things, but this tops it all. It is very physical demending on your body. It took me 7 hours to drive back home at the end of it (only a 2.5 hour drive any other time). Nothing like having glow sticks on a coaster at one in the morning.

But the question now, would Carowinds do something like this and if they did, how would the lucky riders get chosen? I know of eight people (one being me) that would enjoy another 30 hours on a coaster.

[carowindsfreak13]

I know me. I would do it.

[coasterholic14]

I've been dying to do a coaster marathon, if for nothing more than to have the experience of something new and be able to say i did one.

Oh, and here's a crazy idea, make them RACE for the whole year (not every once in a while when you get the right crew, but ALWAYS racing) The should do something this year though, they did nothing for scooby's anniversary this year except re-name a classic :angry:

[dukefanswimmer89]

^
thats prob. exactly what carowinds will do...

prob. a tradition, on a coaster's 30th birthday, butcher its name.....

i guess we'll see Rugrats Road or something next year