originally posted on 6/30/2025
All photos: Dave Hahner. View full-sized image.
[Note: This article features photos of Skyliner at Lakemont Park in Altoona, Pennsylvania, under construction in 1986, courtesy of Dave Hahner.]
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Rebuilding the coaster at its new location is pretty much the same as building it from scratch, except that most of the bents are already assembled, stacked and ready for use. If any were discovered to contain bad wood, this stage in the process is the time to have them fixed before the bents are put into place. Meanwhile, new ribbon and batter bracing boards are used if the coaster’s batter and ribbon boards at its previous location cannot be salvaged.
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Sometimes there is an issue regarding how closely the relocated coaster resembles the blueprints followed during its reconstruction, because work performed on it over the years at its original location typically results in many minor changes. The head builder is responsible for making these decisions, such as whether to follow the original blueprints or adhere more closely to the structure that was dismantled.
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When tracking the ride at the new location, things get interesting for the head builder and the park. Inspection of the ride before it was dismantled often reveals problem areas that must be dealt with when rebuilding. A slight shift of a ledger can make a significant difference in how smoothly a ride runs, how smooth the ride remains and how acceptable the wear and tear will be over time. Ideally the builder and the park want a ride that runs smoothly, is fast and doesn't cost too much to maintain.
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Although a relocated wood coaster maintains some of its old roots, at its new home it is essentially a new ride. How it operates is up to the park, and rebuilders always hope for the best.
— Stephen O’Donnell
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