originally posted on 12/29/2023
Photo: Rob Ascough. View full-sized image.
In October, ACE News detailed the start of work intended to ensure Ravine Flyer II at Waldameer (Erie, Pennsylvania) would remain one of the best wood coasters in the world. In this second (and final) installment, the coaster will be evaluated and subsequently shut down for the winter months while the park continues to prepare for the upcoming 2024 season.
Work on the track was completed, followed by a few test rides by Waldameer’s staff.
Photo: Courtesy of Waldameer. View full-sized image.
“We wrapped up work on Ravine Flyer II on October 25, and following a few rides it passed our inspection,” said Vice President of Operations Brian Gorman. “The transition after the bridge into the turnaround is much smoother and the turnaround is more structurally sound.”
During the offseason, Ravine Flyer II will receive a control system upgrade by Irvine-Ondrey (the Thunder River log flume will also receive an upgrade courtesy of White Water West, which will include new wires, sensors and electrical cabinets).
“Thunder River is nearly 30 years old, and some of the components were becoming hard to maintain or source to replace,” explained Gorman. “There are also safety measures that will be added to the rider to ensure we are operating as safe as possible.”
Following the completion of testing, Ravine Flyer II’s PTCI trains are disassembled and rebuilt.
Photo: Courtesy of Waldameer. View full-sized image.
While Ravine Flyer II’s control system is replaced, with May being targeted for completion, the two Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. (PTCI) trains were removed from the track, at which point they were completely disassembled. This process included complete tear downs to each individual part and the frames and sandblasting of other pieces to prepare for nondestructive testing required by PTCI. Once complete, the sandblasted pieces were painted or replaced if rejected during the testing procedure, bolts and worn parts were replaced, paint was touched up and lap bar mechanisms and wheels were calibrated and lubricated. As of the end of December, the park was in the process of reassembling the trains.
Photos: Courtesy of Waldameer. View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
At that point, preparation for Ravine Flyer II for the 2024 season will be simple. Gorman explained, “The only real work to get the coaster operational is an opening inspection and warm weather!”
A true team effort, Waldameer’s successful operation is not the result of efforts by a few individuals, but rather an entire team of dedicated professionals. “Most of our staff has been with us multiple years,” elaborated Gorman. “We tend to have little turnover with our full-time staff, and it is a big decision for us to replace or find new full-time staff since we only have about 22 full-time employees.”
Waldameer’s full-time staff is responsible for all of the park’s rides such as Whacky Shack.
Photo: Stacey Singer. View full-sized image.
He further explained that it has been difficult to fill full-time positions in recent years. Waldameer is seeking qualities such as personality, work ethic and fit within the park’s smaller, family-oriented culture over amusement industry experience, because standard mechanical tasks like working with bearings, gearboxes, pneumatics, hydraulics, belts and chains are universal. “What matters to us is that our full-time staff can work well with each other and find passion in their careers.”
This full-time staff at Waldameer is responsible for all of the park’s rides, including a collection of older flat rides, the Whacky Shack dark ride and Comet, the smaller 1951 Philadelphia Toboggan Company wood coaster, which requires much less attention than Ravine Flyer II owing to its less aggressive nature.
Due to its less aggressive nature, Comet has required less annual work than Ravine Flyer II and therefore retains most of its original materials dating back to 1951.
Photo: Rob Ascough. View full-sized image.
“Comet requires much less track work annually,” said Gorman before addressing its needs. “There are a few track bolts that need changing throughout the season, and we have replaced pieces of track that showed signs of rot or compression, but we have not replaced the entire track stack since it has never been necessary.”
Still, Comet has been on the receiving end of major work in the past, including the addition of magnetic brakes a few years ago. This led to Texas Skilled Carpentry adding additional ledgers between the existing ones to prevent sag due to the equipment’s additional weight and its requirement of a specific gap between the magnet and train to operate properly.
“I would estimate 90 percent of Comet is original, taking into account structure and track,” added Gorman. “Nearly 100 percent of the steel track is original.”
With work on Ravine Flyer II nearly complete, Gorman and the rest of the park’s leadership can turn their attention to other priorities. “We set pricing and operating schedules, adjust and improve policies and address our long-term plans and goals,” said Gorman. “There is always work to be done.”
— Rob Ascough, ACE News Editor
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