Also, I'm reading conflicting reports about if FITH used to be longer. Some say a portion of track was removed in the early 80's making the ride shorter. This picture of the control panel seems to show that more track used to exist.
Yup, I can't remember the full story (it's buried on this board somewhere), but they shortened it around the time that Blazing Fury at DW opened. BF is a clone of FITH, but with the shortened layout. Probably had to do with timing/guest throughput and ease of maintenance. The tracks were still there until a "few" years ago. I can't remember when they finally took them out and walled off that area, but you could see them right before the train tunnel next to the hanging scene.
Given the timetable (I was told by SDC staff during Coaster Christmas that most of the original theming and props will be transferred to the new ride to save time and $$$) they will likely need 2-3 weeks to clear out both the maintenance area and the theming assets from the old structure. So expect mid-late January for the demo.
Interesting. I believe we originally heard the only thing going to be recycled rom the original ride was the mural of the burning of Marmaros. So, are they reusing more of the old ride?
One thing I'd like to see them do: is to have an exhibit to walkthrough in the ride queue. It could contain displays about the town of Marmaros, the guano mining in Marble Cave, and the Bald Knobbers. It could also contain original display pieces from the original Fire-in-the-Hole.
Otherwise, what is the latest on what SDC will do with architectural pieces of the old ride? Are there still rumors of a possible auction to sell some of the old ride?
They are transferring a few things over, but we'll see how much. I know some of the stuff outside and in the queue area will make it over, but most of the props within the ride are probably headed for the trash. They have all new mannequins and baldknobber costumes, and most of the props will be better, newer stuff in the new ride. There's not a lot within the ride that could be easily transferred since it's a lot of building sets and fake rockwork. I'm excited to see the train replica they are building. The final scenes should be much better in the new ride.
