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Here is an interesting piece form my collection. This is a KI "Apple Award" as I have been told. Kings Island employees had great incentive to do a great job and for every good recommendation they received on their name, awards were given as recognition for their service. Believe it or not, a car was the top prize for the employee with the most positive marks on their name. This award is comprised of a marble/resin plaque with an engraved mural of the park and the 1981 feature attractions. Enjoy

Diamondback has operated at Haunt when temperatures have dipped into the low 30's.

These were a little beat up, but they scanned. This was either the opening year, but no later than the 1973 season. The first picture is my sister, Lambsy and me. There is even a classic tram in the background. The second photo shows that even back in the 70's, I took my driving VERY seriously.

Looks to be still snuggling under the covers!

They're both made out of wood! (I just Koched that one up out of nowhere. I'll be here all week, folks.)

I was on the second train of The Beast that morning and once we hit the second lift hill, I started wondering why I was wearing a t-shirt....

I think that Cedar Fair SHOULD at least buy their brakes from a Sandusky company. I mean, we all know what happens if you try to save a few bucks with the brakes from the "other guys". Obviously joking, in case it honestly needs saying.

@KingsIslandPR on Twitter : "The Beast is ready for its 35th anniversary season. Are you?" Photo : Don Helbig / Kings Island via Twitter

I would like for you to mind that I saw a deer while on The Beast, it was frightening. I would also like for you to not look down on Diamondback during splashdown, for that may not do good for you. Humans do not like to touch The Beast cars at any time when it is in motion. They like to stay in the rules, and like to keep their appendages in tact. Plus, I don't think that a human would like to jump infront of The Beast while in motion, that's just stupid. But hey, I'm just a BB1. I like to touch The Beast cars when they are in motion! Infront or on? BB1, who wouldn't like to touch the cars at 60+ mph. You have touched The Beast cars at 60+ mph lots of times, i would guess! So has everybody else who has ever ridden it!

In regards to operations, look for mirrors to be in place. Kings Island is not Cedar Point.

^ I rode it in the morning of Closing Day 2013 with temperatures in the mid 30s.

You said butt. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

-From Kings Island's Twitter: Kings Island @KingsIslandPR When visiting the park this year be sure to ride the new Banshee roller coast at night! #KI2014 -I though Cedar Point was America's roller coast.

I once rode The Beast in light snow in mid-April. Got that credit out of the way.

Thanks I used drpic.com. Took me about half an hour. EDIT: Wow! Post #100 already. Great to be a part of such a great community!

I said what what

Especially my butt...it's touching it the whole ride.. I went there

It has been my understanding that steel coasters should not begin operations under a certain temperature, but, once begun, can continue if the temperature dips below that. Frankly, at some point windchill becomes a concern for the riders, as well.

Geez. How slow was the internet back then?

Kind of like Bruce Jenner?

I am currently on day 3 of 4 of my trip at Snowmass resort. It has been a lot of fun and the views are just amazing, even if this doesn't pertain to amusement parks I'm sure some of you would like to see the amazing views this place has to offer I'll upload pics once I get home and i apologize if this belongs in off topic and if it does please move it mods. I am very excited to share this wonderful experience once I get back you all can expect pictures as early as Tuesday.

TheBEASTunchained, thanks for creating this thread. Having all these ancient photos in one place is very nice. I'm not old enough for these pics to bring back memories, but it sure is nice to imagine the park back then. It really does seem like a better place then than it is now.

Sorry for bringing this back from a page ago, but Terp you are correct.

I was on the second train of The Beast that morning and once we hit the second lift hill, I started wondering why I was wearing a t-shirt.... Why did it take you that long to start wondering about that?

This made me laugh. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I laughed at this so hard, I was coughing at the end, but I still laughed deeply. I'm still laughing at it!!! Hey, at least it isn't a ferris wheel... BB1, keeping his histoires in the mind.

You can see the cotter pins in this picture. We would just remove one at a time, remove the pins, tap in new ones, and repeat. Repeat up to 1,250 times, lol. But a lot of people wouldn't change the chain until absolutely necessary.

This is the same thing that I've always heard. And I've seen it practiced quite often.

1. No problem, done. 2. Ill look into it, we used to have a "ton" of them but they were overused and abused.

I know Griffon can't operate under 40 degrees.

Diamondback has operated at Haunt when temperatures have dipped into the low 30's. Confirmed...not the greatest idea to ride it when it's that cold tho O.o brrrrrrrr you're in for a cold ride

Genuine GM parts come from many suppliers worldwide. GM cannot require use of its own parts in order to maintain warranty unless it provides those parts free of charge. It can, however, specify the requirements for aftermarket parts in order for those parts to comply as replacement parts. Fake replacement parts, usually cheap Chinese knock-offs, are a real problem in the automotive industry. I'd suspect that chain manufacturing and sales in the amusement industry are similar to the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)\Aftermarket automotive paradigm.

I can semi-vouch for this since I do some design work with industrial chains. I haven't done very much with it personally, so I don't know exactly what kind it is by sight, but D88K sounds like it could be about right. Which, of course, means that Adventure Express' chains aren't necessarily from S&S. And that doesn't mean the chain is any less quality, either. Nor does it mean that the chain is any better quality. I actually would doubt that S&S manufactures their own chains personally, though I don't know that for a fact. Chain design and manufacturing are their own industry. Also, that's actually very intriguing about the pins... The uses I've seen for these types of chains wouldn't allow removal of the links, so it's very interesting to me to hear how the service lives are extended like that. Wouldn't it be cheaper to remove the links like you mentioned than changing the pins out, though? I would fathom to guess that you're right. Customized stuff comes from the manufacturer. Stuff like chains, nuts, bolts, paint, etc probably comes from a supply house. Plus it probably takes specific equipment to make chains, so it would make more sense for the manufacturer to order the chains in the first place.

Someone didnt read the expiration date on the chain for The Vortex in 2011!

Not a Kings Island story, but guess who just got a brand new ring! It's so shiny and has our names and birthstones. It came with a question. (But not THE question.) Sent from my VS840 4G using Tapatalk

Ha ha. There was an early experimental version. As a fifth grader, I used it at Morehead State College. Yes, that's what it was called.

Seems fitting that a topic about a chain being replaced starts off with a broken link.

Oh fine... I'll share my Kings Island couple story. See, back in 2010, I was at Kings Island for the first time since my early childhood. I had recently conquered my fear of coasters, and it just so happened that my quest to ride them all led me to the girl of my dreams. We met in Coney Mall. I knew it was love at first sight. Sure, she's a bit older than me, but she was still looking fine for her age. On top of that, I noticed immediately that she was wearing my favorite shade of blue. How can I resist a nice lady with good taste in colors, right? As soon as we met, she had me head-over-heels several times over. We were together the rest of the day after that first meeting. We were even together for the fireworks that night. I've been extremely happy to have her as a part of my life ever since, except for a brief period back in July of 2011 when she didn't seem to want anything to do with me. Or anyone else for that matter. She just barricaded herself away from people and refused to do anything. I never fully understood what was the matter, but a few weeks later, it was as if nothing had ever happened and there we were, spending nearly every waking moment together whenever we were both at Kings Island. Since then, the only bad time in our relationship was when her father Ron (who had become one of my personal heroes) passed away. It's been a turbulent relationship, but I don't regret a minute of it. And that's the story of me and Vortex. -homestar92, who suddenly realizes that he probably needs a girlfriend...

I think more amazing is the fact that it has ever BEEN in the single digits in the Carolinas during the Carowinds operating season.Unless this happened during test runs or whatever. Afterburn operated durint Winterfest 2005 furthermore, as per SC state law Carowinds has to follow manufactor's guidelines anr recommendations just like KI does. During SCarowinds, it can get below freezing.

Will Banshee's minimum operating temperature be around the same?

Carowinds isn't in Ohio. Terp -- just notin'.

The Beast is still in hibernation, but will awaken from its winter slumber before you know it!

Snoozer.

You said what what in...I have said too much.

But less so on Diamondback. Better to say butt than be one. Terp, resisting references to the night row. Oopsie.

*Queue the awkward silence*.

I can semi-vouch for this since I do some design work with industrial chains. I haven't done very much with it personally, so I don't know exactly what kind it is by sight, but D88K sounds like it could be about right. Which, of course, means that Adventure Express' chains aren't necessarily from S&S. And that doesn't mean the chain is any less quality, either. Nor does it mean that the chain is any better quality. I actually would doubt that S&S manufactures their own chains personally, though I don't know that for a fact. Chain design and manufacturing are their own industry. Also, that's actually very intriguing about the pins... The uses I've seen for these types of chains wouldn't allow removal of the links, so it's very interesting to me to hear how the service lives are extended like that. Wouldn't it be cheaper to remove the links like you mentioned than changing the pins out, though?

Looks like you have a little too much orange in the train. When painted, the trains will be black. But thanks for sharing.

Thought I'd post on here, This is what The Bat will look like fully painted!

How funny! My friend thought the same thing this summer while we were there.

Really? Semis on the Interstate Highway System don't intimidate them!