Run-Away-Ore-Cart Memories

[shavethewhales]

I'm sure everyone here remembers the Run-Away-Ore-Carts fondly. This little Molina and Sons standard kiddie model sat in the Landing for 15 years before being taken out due to roughness and scarcity of new parts. Even in it's last days, a torrent of kids could be seen marathoning it every single day.

But did the ore carts have more history than they appeared to? For only lasting 15 years, I would guess that the park might have bought it used from somewhere else. Also, what were the real terms of its departure? I've heard the park say that it was just too old and was due to be replaced by the Grand Expo Coaster, while others have said that it needed to be taken out to construct a final attempt at bracing the tree house. Is there any closure on that?

Oh yeah, does anyone know what happened to it? I've been assuming that it was scrapped, but you never really know - if they had tried to auction it off I sure would have bet on it, but I didn't hear about it if that happened.

[sdcforever]

Well, I don't know much about what happened to the Runaway Ore Carts.  I did a brief internet search and couldn't find anything either.  I loved that ride and was sad to see it go.  I have gone straight to the source and asked Silver Dollar City about it (how it was acquired, why it was removed, and what happened to it after its removal).  Hopefully I'll get some straightforward answers.  I'll keep everyone updated.

[Swoosh]

It was removed because they needed to place an anchor for the tree house in that location -- the treehouse had become structurally unsound and they had to something immediately to fix that problem. 

Also with the plans to re-imagineer that area for a different purpose in the near future it was taken out... it has since been replaced with the GE Coaster. 

[sdcforever]

Good news!  I got information on the history of the ride and what happened to it from Ed with Rides and Attractions at SDC! 

The ride was bought used in 1981 in Italy (along with several other rides).  When it was removed it was dismantled and the scraps were sold.  Here's the interesting part.  It was not removed to further anchor the treehouse.  It was removed because it needed major renovation to meet SDC's safety standards.  Also, with the addition of the Grand Exposition coaster they felt that removing the ride would not detract from the ride experience at the park.

There it is, straight from the source.  I wonder what other rides were bought used in 1981 in Italy?  Anyone have any ideas?  Perhaps the Gandy Dancer?

[Swoosh]

I'm willing to bet the Balloon Chase

[DocSpeleo]

Great Job Digging up that info and proving Swoosh to be wrong. . lol Made me laugh a little when I read the post and reply I'm not sure why...
So about the Gandy Dancer.  I've seen the tracks and such at the City but does anyone have any photos of it in operation?

[Coaster]

http://www.putfile.com/pic/7436570
http://sdcfans.com/forums/index.php?topic=145.0

There is a couple pictures. I found them both on these forums actually. I know there is more out there, I'll look for more later.

[sdcforever]

I think the Gandy Dancer might be one of the rides bought used in 1981 in Italy because it looks similar to the Runaway Ore Carts.  Plus they were in operation at approximately the same time.  I also think the Balloon Chase is a good candidate.

[History Buff]

I believe all of those rides, plus the carousel and the ferris wheel were brought in at the same time.

[Old Guy]

The carousel was built on site and all the animals were carved at SDC in the woodcarvers shop.

[History Buff]

The carousel was built on site and all the animals were carved at SDC in the woodcarvers shop.

Yes, but just to clarify, was it put into operation at the same time as the others, or was it earlier?

[Old Guy]

It was first put in the what was built as the Wagon Works Barn, which then became the Carousel Barn, but only for one season if I recall. It then went outside to the Landing.

[MattPaasch]

Back in April, I visited SDC and found this at the entrance:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23797713@N04/2588511118

Could it be one of the carts from the old Gandy Dancer???

[Coaster]

Wow! Great observation MattPaasch! That could've been sitting there forever and no one just ever noticed it. Well by looking at your avatar picture and the picture you showed us, it does look a lot like the Gandy Dancer just with a new paint job. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it is the Gandy Dancer just because of the way SDC likes to show off some of their history like the way they put a Buzz Saw Falls boat on top of the Powderkeg queue building.

Good eyes!

[shavethewhales]

Has to be, what else could it be? Just traditional SDC recycling. Very neat.