Does the "Bells" toll?

[AMP]

I was a little low in my estimate of the cost of a New Sky Ride Gondola system.

FIVE MILLION IS TODAY'S PRICE - NEW

Got this from the manufacture.  

"The State Fair of Texas is installing a new system about the size you inquired about and this installation with equipment will cost about $5,000,000."

[AMP]

http://www.amusementbusiness.com/amusementbusiness/industrynews/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001349637

[waterboy]

The posts from PRH seem to have evaporated. What gives?

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by pmcalk

PRH--You have some great memories of Zingo.  I can remember when it was being built, though it was a number of years until I was old enough (brave enough) to ride it.  

I strongly disagree with you, though, about tearing it down.  I went on Zingo at the fair this year, and was amazed what a great ride it still was.  Yes, some only enjoy the faster, twisting metal coasters, but there are still plenty of us who believe that the best roller coasters are wooden.  Some things just get better with age.  Take the Cyclone (1927)--it still gets listed as one of the best, and has hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.  I regret that I didn't ride it when I was at Astroland, but the wait was over 2 hours.  IMO, Zingo is another of Tulsa's potential great historic landmarks that may get torn down simply because some see it as old.  Whether it goes with Bells or stays at the fair, someone should preserve it.

Agreed.  Zingo is a great small wooden coaster.  I have always been partial to wood coasters too.  The giant metal coasters scare me, as in my mind, they just don't seem safe.  Love me a giant wood rollercoaster though.
If the fairgrounds is going to buy the skyride, they should also attempt to buy Zingo and keep it just where it is.  I hope they have the funds and desire to keep it adequately maintained too.

[TheArtist]

How and when would the expo use the Zingo?  Just open it for a short time each year for the fair?  Schedule it to be open during, what? the ice capades? I just don't really see it being feasible.  Then maintain it, inspect it, pay insurance for it, keep people on the payroll to run it, inspect it, who know how to maintain it, etc. all the rest of the year?  

Are there any estimates on what it would cost for Robby to build a new wooden coaster at a new place, versus dismantling and rebuilding the Zingo? And is it even possible to move the Zingo? Are the pieces held together with rusty old nails or more easily removable bolts?

[shadows]

Shame should hang over the heads of the people of the city of Tulsa to allow a single hired person to determine that the  product of  three generation that helped put Tulsa on the map, is told to remove from the property the amusement park that is on the land dedicated by the founders to be used for amusement.  

From a little frame garage near sixth and Lewis begin the dedication of a person to provide a play area for the children of today.   The coal mine that sits under the Sears store to the swimming hole that sat across the street the memories of those who sit in the twilight zone are applauded as they see this dedication to the children wiped off the lands in the beginning it was dedicated to.  

It would be much more an asset to Tulsa to remove those from the governing body of the fair board than the amusement park that keeps the children off the streets.

[Jason]

Shadows, you and I disagree on other topics. However, we will agree on this one. It seems as though the people of Tulsa want nothing more thant to make any attractions leave or never even come to tulsa. Unless it is an Indian attraction or a nature trail, (2025). How about something fo rour youth?

[Rowdy]

quote:Originally posted by shadows

Shame should hang over the heads of the people of the city of Tulsa to allow a single hired person to determine that the  product of  three generation that helped put Tulsa on the map, is told to remove from the property the amusement park that is on the land dedicated by the founders to be used for amusement.  

From a little frame garage near sixth and Lewis begin the dedication of a person to provide a play area for the children of today.   The coal mine that sits under the Sears store to the swimming hole that sat across the street the memories of those who sit in the twilight zone are applauded as they see this dedication to the children wiped off the lands in the beginning it was dedicated to.  

It would be much more an asset to Tulsa to remove those from the governing body of the fair board than the amusement park that keeps the children off the streets.

Perhaps I read this wrong, but are you saying the Zingo helped put Tulsa on the map?  

Quite a stretch if you ask me.

[AVERAGE JOE]

There have been several people in this thread asking whether Zingo can be dismantled and moved. Absolutely it can, because it's been moved before.

The Zingo started life at the Crystal City Amusement Park in west Tulsa. I believe there is photographic evidence that proves it. Once the park closed, the Zingo was sold and moved to Bell's.

It's much older than you think.

[MichaelBates]

quote:Originally posted by AVERAGE JOE

There have been several people in this thread asking whether Zingo can be dismantled and moved. Absolutely it can, because it's been moved before.

The Zingo started life at the Crystal City Amusement Park in west Tulsa. I believe there is photographic evidence that proves it. Once the park closed, the Zingo was sold and moved to Bell's.

It's much older than you think.

There was a coaster at Crystal City called Zingo, but the ride at Bell's was a new design and new construction in 1968. The name was chosen in honor of the Crystal City coaster, which had a very different design.



Crystal City was replaced with a shopping center in the late '50s, making a 10 year gap between the dismantling of the old coaster and the construction of the new one at Bell's.

It is true that coasters can be moved. The Wildcat at Frontier City was moved from defunct Fairyland Park in Kansas City, where it operated from 1967 to 1990. And there's a coaster at Knoebels Amusement Park in Pennsylvania that was moved there from San Antonio in 1985. Roller Coaster DB says, "The relocation and reassembly cost 1.5 million dollars. Since blueprints were not available every board was numbered. 34 trucks were used in the move."

[TheArtist]

quote:Originally posted by shadows

Shame should hang over the heads of the people of the city of Tulsa to allow a single hired person to determine that the  product of  three generation that helped put Tulsa on the map, is told to remove from the property the amusement park that is on the land dedicated by the founders to be used for amusement.  

From a little frame garage near sixth and Lewis begin the dedication of a person to provide a play area for the children of today.   The coal mine that sits under the Sears store to the swimming hole that sat across the street the memories of those who sit in the twilight zone are applauded as they see this dedication to the children wiped off the lands in the beginning it was dedicated to.  

It would be much more an asset to Tulsa to remove those from the governing body of the fair board than the amusement park that keeps the children off the streets.

It wasn't that "single hired person" who let the amusement park fall into ruin.  It wasn't that "single hired person" who let a great park turn in to the nasty filth it became.  It wasn't the "single hired person" who was not creative enough, or determined enough to make the park evolve and stay a great place to visit for the people of Tulsa.

[shadows]

Sorry that the information I have was the head of the fair trust signed the letter for the Bell family to move off the fair grounds.  As far as littering it is a job for a operation for profit being compared with a tax supported operation secured with your tax money.   Who do you think pays for the fairgrounds trust. Do you remember the steam engine and how well the trust kept it up?

Check the internet and you will find Bell's of Tulsa is listed in points of attraction.  

[AVERAGE JOE]

quote:Originally posted by MichaelBates

quote:Originally posted by AVERAGE JOE

There have been several people in this thread asking whether Zingo can be dismantled and moved. Absolutely it can, because it's been moved before.

The Zingo started life at the Crystal City Amusement Park in west Tulsa. I believe there is photographic evidence that proves it. Once the park closed, the Zingo was sold and moved to Bell's.

It's much older than you think.

There was a coaster at Crystal City called Zingo, but the ride at Bell's was a new design and new construction in 1968. The name was chosen in honor of the Crystal City coaster, which had a very different design.



Crystal City was replaced with a shopping center in the late '50s, making a 10 year gap between the dismantling of the old coaster and the construction of the new one at Bell's.

It is true that coasters can be moved. The Wildcat at Frontier City was moved from defunct Fairyland Park in Kansas City, where it operated from 1967 to 1990. And there's a coaster at Knoebels Amusement Park in Pennsylvania that was moved there from San Antonio in 1985. Roller Coaster DB says, "The relocation and reassembly cost 1.5 million dollars. Since blueprints were not available every board was numbered. 34 trucks were used in the move."

I stand corrected. That's unusual, since coasters are supposed to have unique names. Didn't realize names could be passed down to new coasters like that.

Good to have you back on the board, MB.

[AMP]

http://www.kotv.com/news/local/story/?id=118983

Rides Disappearing At Bell's Amusement Park
KOTV - 1/26/2007 9:53 AM - Updated 1/26/2007 4:51 PM

Bell's Amusement Park is leaving Expo Square! In it's 56-years it has been home to many unique rides and attractions, and when the park is gone many of those old favorites will disappear forever. News on 6 reporter Rick Wells headed to Bell's to take one last look at "Phantasmagoria."

Workers are deconstructing half a century of fun, stacking the pieces that once were the "Scrambler" and the merry-go-round; all of it is going into storage, hopefully not forever. But the News on 6 paid a visit to the amusement park to talk to Bob Bell about something historic and unique to Bell's, the "Phantasmagoria." "It's a very simple formula, you want to scare the people, but you want to make it safe," Bell's owner Bob Bell said.

What made this particular so-called dark ride unique was the size.

"Most of 'em are not two stories high like ours is," said Bell.

It was a long one too, the ride took seven-minutes, and around every twist and turn there was a new fright.

"As soon as you'd get right here, the lights would come on and the horn would go off, it would just scare you to death," Bell said.

It was wonderful; there were graveyards and ghouls, huge rats and a disgusting buzzard.

"The buzzard would be picking' the eyeball," said Bell.

Frightening stuff for young and old all designed to scare us right back into line. As we headed outside it dawned on me the last ride on "Phantasmagoria" has already been taken.

"So 'Phantasmagoria' as we all remember it is done," reporter Rick Wells asked. "That's right," said Bell.

"It'll never be again," asked Wells.

"Nope," Bell said.

As it currently stands, Bell's deadline for moving out is March 8th.

[pmcalk]

Why can't they take the Phantasmagoria?  I would think you could transport that one.

I remember when it first opened.  I was around six, and I recall that, what frightened me most was the tunnel.  My sister and I thought that we were really going upside down, and that our car was missing the proper seatbelts.  Even after I understood that it was an optical illusion, I had to close my eyes through that part.  That, and the bus always frightened me.  I took my kids on it recently.  I have to say it looked pretty run down.  And it had a peculiar smell.