-- All images in this post is from Google Earth ( https://www.google.com/earth/ ) --

Some of you may have seen this post coming because you were reading the random discussion thread.

When I was just recently looking through Google Earth I was looking at Kings Island. I saw something while I saw something in a boneyard right behind The Racer and other warehouses......

I saw what seems to me to be track or support beams. (Image below is from 2004)

They kind of have the shape of track or something along that nature. The next two following images are from 2005 (first one) and 2006 (second one).

In the second one they seem to look like bushes but that just may be the quality of the image or it actually may be.

Below is where is located.

-- All images in this post is from Google Earth ( https://www.google.com/earth/ ) --

Those mysterious shapes disappeared somewhere between 2006 and 2009. I'm just curious if you guys could help me figure out what this mysterious object is. I may be totally wrong (probably will be).

Over there, you postulated it may be King Cobra track and supports.

And it very well may be.

Here are some pics of King Cobra from RCDB to help:

And then after it was demolished...

Based on these, and other images, I am 99% sure what you see in the Google Earth images is in fact the remains of King Cobra.

I made a post similar to this as my first post but I was referring to the other area. I think it might have been King Cobra track as well.

Here are some pics of King Cobra from RCDB to help:

And then after it was demolished...

Based on these, and other images, I am 99% sure what you see in the Google Earth images is in fact the remains of King Cobra.

Do you know if these pieces are still there?

They are not. The coaster was scrapped.

I think it is King Cobra now because if you look at the last picture posted by McSalsa it shows the curved track at the end. If you look back you can see where it is on the map. Not 100% but it seems to be a very good possibility.

I've often wondered, I know TOGO went belly up, if King Cobra was the first of the stand ups to be scrapped, why did it take so long before the next came down?

I've seen somewhere it said "inferior metal" was used. The other 2 that were similar, were the different metal? I really never could figure out the whole KC/TOGO situation.

Maybe there never was, maybe they just felt like it was it's time.

^
That's what I've heard: King Cobra was built with inferior steel compared to Skyrider and Shockwave, and thus metal fatigue caused it to be forced into retirement much quicker. For comparison...the other KECO TOGO Stand-Ups...

King Cobra (1984-2001): 17 years

Skyrider (1985-2014): 29 years

Shockwave (1986-2014+): 28 years+ (still operational)

Also, while doing research on this, apparently someone has purchased Skyrider according to RCDB. It is moving to a park in Italy called Cavallino Matto, according to the site. Hmm, so it's time may not be completely up...which makes King Cobra look even "worse" in comparison.

Skyrider's current status according to RCDB...

http://rcdb.com/12069.htm

(Slight edit based on Terpy's comment below for Shockwave's age.)

King Cobra was a prototype.

It used, ironically, what then was inferior Japanese steel. The others did not.

The Roller Coaster at New York New York Casino, formerly known as Manhattan Express, was also not TOGO's most shining moment.

EDIT: Posted same time as McSalsa. Hey, I wouldn't be listing 2015 for Shockwave as an operating year unless/until the coaster operates...

Stickler O'Terpy

It's kind of sad to see the carcass of something that gave me so much fun just lying there, rusting. Might as well named it "Yorick".

How did someone get back there to take pictures, anyway?

Since they were posted on rcdb, one would assume with park permission.

It was a very different management back then. And a very different time. More websites, less social media, fewer phone cameras.

Since they were posted on rcdb, one would assume with park permission.

It was a very different management back then. And a very different time. More websites, less social media, fewer phone cameras.

Lets hope with park permission.

I wonder how much money you get out of scrapping a coaster. Just think, you could be driving part of KC.

Oh, well, I hate everytime I think of it.

Given I drive a car built in Gumma, Japan, it's decidedly unlikely...

Does that mean you decided it was unlikely?

I'd rather not be driving around with part of Son of Beast's loop!

I don't know....that, SOB, was closed everytime I went to ride it. (yes, that was a bad pun.)

You could drive worse.

Maybe.

I'd rather not be driving around with part of Son of Beast's loop!

For real. I mean, like, where would you park it?

^Don't corner to fast with that bad boy.

Yee haw, here we go granny!

Hmmm...don't go under any bridges either. I think it's a bit tall for the 14' clearance.

King Cobra was a prototype.

It used, ironically, what then was inferior Japanese steel. The others did not.

The Roller Coaster at New York New York Casino, formerly known as Manhattan Express, was also not TOGO's most shining moment.

EDIT: Posted same time as McSalsa. Hey, I wouldn't be listing 2015 for Shockwave as an operating year unless/until the coaster operates...

Stickler O'Terpy

To go with this I found this post on this very own sight about it being tested in Japan. http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php/topic/9364-king-cobra/

Pretty neat pictures. That's dedication, build it up, test it, ride it. I'm sure make adjustments. Tear it down, ship it overseas, rebuild it, probably test some more.

That's crazy. I'd bet their aren't any other coaster companies doing that.

Maybe, some should. I doubt many have the resources.

KC was also from a much simpler time without a lot of the computer-aided testing that is available these days. That should theoretically make it so that only routine testing is required prior to assembly on site. However, some manufacturers (cough INTAMIN cough) find ways to mess that up. See also: the removal of Maverick's heartline roll.

I am pretty sure the King Cobra track pieces were photographed during a Beastbuzz backstage tour in 2006. See this video:

It's just resting.........When she said you can own it, i'd been the guy in the back "Hey, I'll give ya 5 bucks!" Doubt it would've flew, though.

Yep, that's where your pics come from

Good find, relevant and so much more!

It's just resting.........When she said you can own it, i'd been the guy in the back "Hey, I'll give ya 5 bucks!" Doubt it would've flew, though.

Yep, that's where your pics come from

Not necessarily. Photo tours were given to journalists, brokers, auction companies and others more than once that season (and other seasons).

Terp, who...uh...should know. And does. Jumping to conclusions can frequently lead one down the wrong road....