Thunder Road: The Extinct Coaster That Saved Carowinds

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

I just wanted to share this new video from Expedition Theme Park: "The BANKRUPT History Of Carowinds & The Extinct Coaster That Saved It: Thunder Road"

This is his second video about the history of Carowinds and tells the story of Thunder Road. It began a trend of additions that saved the park from total bankruptcy and closure. There are also some parts about Carowinds from the time Pat Hall sold the park to Taft Broadcasting, to the time when Paramount bought the parks from Taft/KECO. 

Something I never knew was that the two original trains were once themed to its namesake movie. The train on the northern track was themed to the moonshiner's car, while the train on the southern track was themed to the sheriff's car. Both had decorative fiberglass fronts with functional headlights. This is the attraction that I passionately wish I would've gotten the chance to ride. As much as I wish it would have been completely refurbished and worked around, there is unfortunately no way it will ever return with Carowinds current park layout. Maybe one day Six Flags will add a new Racer clone to another park and I will be happy to go ride it. 

At least the video is another opportunity to listen to Carowinds' old commercial song! 

 

Edited June 16, 2025 by Losantiville Mining Co.