Screaming Demon

[screamingnight]

Years ago PKI had a coaster called Screaming Demon. Later it changed to Demon. I was wondering has anybody in this forum rode it?

[DeLorean Rider]

Kings Island had a ride called the Screamin demon (1977-1987), but it was taken out, not renamed. Since 1987 it resided at Camden park as the Thunderbold Express. It ran from 1988-1999 From 2000-2004 the ride stood but didnt operate untill finally the ride was weathered and damaged so much that they dismantled it in november of 2004. The damage was Irrepairable, holes rusted all the way through the rails and such. My parents rode the ride many many times. My dad always told me that it was a rather un-comfortable ride. It was built by arrow and was the first official shuttle loop roller coaster. You had to climb about 6 flights of stairs to get to the station because of the design. For more information and some pictures of it both as the Screamin' Demon and the Thunderbolt Express, just look it up on www.rcdb.com.

[jzarley]

Yes, I rode it a few times...

All I really remember was having to walk up multiple flights of steps (kind of like you do with a water slide), and that it was a really short ride. I believe it was removed to install Amazon Falls.

Although, for a while, it was the only looping coaster at PKI...

[coastergirl]

It was the first coaster that I went on that went upside down. It was not great ride and I remember always feeling sick to my stomach after I got off of it.

[coasterfreak75]

It was also my first looping coaster. What great fun a blast foward and alot of airtime dropping 40' or so into a quick vertical loop then up another hill and along a straight until the brakes stopped you. Then you waited until the air tanks recharged and were then blasted backwards to do it all in reverse. Yeah you had to walk up 4 flights of stairs but darn it was worth it.

[KIBeast]

"It was the first coaster that I went on that went upside down."

Me too. Not only that, but the first coaster I rode that went backwards. I didn't think that it was an uncomfortable ride. It kinda sucked cause you waited about two hours to ride a very short coaster. Plus, climbing all of those stairs.

[Robert_Waring]

I rode it many times when it first opened at Kings Island. It was a huge thrill at the time. There was nothing like it in the park and I loved it, but the thrill quickly wore off as new coasters were opening that provided more bang. You can see photos of it at my Kings Island Flashback site.

[coastergirl]

Wow Robert . You have some awesome pictures in your album! It brought back so many memories for me. I really enjoyed it. Thanks for posting it

[TOPGUN1993]

Same here (thanks for the photos ).

[RailRider]

I rode the Demon at Camden Park. I must say it wasn't even the best ride there. The Big Dipper is the best ride at that park. Not to mention that with the Demon errr TunderBolt Express you have to walk 4 flights of stairs.

"Ahhh yes, Camden Park, where the midways smell like a city landfill."

[ravereviews]

I always thought this was a cool ride.

Kings Island could use another good shuttle coaster (face/off just isn't fun)

[Ups and Downs]

Dick Van Dyke was used in the commercials to promote the ride. I enjoyed

riding it. Wasn't real big fan of those steps though.

[CoasterFreak273]

I think that my dad may have been on it once or twice before when it was still at KI. I wish it was still open at Camden Park so I could at least say I rode it. Sounded like a cool ride.

I have noticed that most, if not a lot, of coasters at PKI have broken a record of some kind or another. For example, The Beast - longest and fastest when it opened, and still longest wooden coaster in the world. Son of Beast - tallest, fastest, and only wooden coaster featuring an inversion. Drop Zone - tallest giro drop when it opened, even in the Guiness Book of World Records in 2000. The Vortex - first coaster in the world to feature 6 inversions. Those are just a few. Gotta love them rides!

[KIBeast]

^Don't forget The Bat; the first suspended coaster in the world.

Even though the Thunderbolt Express was not the best coaster at Camden Park, it fit in quite nicely was good for a change of pace. Twas the only steel coaster they've had. I'd like to see them get another one like it.

[Gulliversrubadub]

Screemin Demon was my first roller coaster that went upside down and backwards. I can still remember standing in line with my dad so I could ride it for the first time. I would love to have one in my back yard. Even if you did have to climb 5 flights of stairs and wait 2 hrs it was a great ride for it's time. Camden Park sold the cars to a private collector in Ohio from what I hear.

[HelixSpiral]

Kings Island could use another good shuttle coaster (face/off just isn't fun)

You thought Demon was more fun than Face/Off?

[Gordon Bombay]

Theres still a rideable Arrow shuttle coaster like Demon at Fun Spot in Angola Indiana. About 5 hours from here.

[s10ryan]

camden park just took the demon down this past winter and sold it as scrap metal.

just thought i'd give you all an update.

apparently it sat for 6 or more years at CP and they never would or did fix it.

[DeLorean Rider]

There were holes rusted through the rails

[KIBeast]

"apparently it sat for 6 or more years at CP and they never would or did fix it."

That may be partly true, since the last owners wouldn't put any money in to the park. I also heard that they needed some kind of computer chip and couldn't afford it.

The new owners are actually spending money on the park. They are slowly restoring the Big Dipper and have added two rides since they have been there.

[bdboy007]

Wasn't it the first coaster to feature a loop?

[Gordon Bombay]

What was sitting at CP? Demon?

[CoasterKrazy]

bdboy007:

The first modern roller coaster to feature a vertical loop was Revolution at Six Flags Magic Mountain. The first modern roller coaster to feature an inversion was Corkscrew at Knott's Berry Farm. Check out www.rcdb.com for more information on these two rides.

[Hank]

As a bit of trivia...

I believe at one time the Screamin' Demon was either named or misprinted somewhere with the name Steamin' Demon.

Then, they got rid of the adjective.

Anyone else remember this? It might have even been printed on a park map - the ones they give you at the entrance.

[Jasper]

Never rode it.

[KIBeast]

"What was sitting at CP? Demon?"

Yeah, Combat, that's what I was referring to. It was the Thunderbolt Express. I got to ride it twice before it was SBNO. It was really sad for me to see it rot like that. It was my first looping coaster and first coaster I rode that went backwards.

[Gulliversrubadub]

"What was sitting at CP? Demon?"

Yeah, Combat, that's what I was referring to. It was the Thunderbolt Express. I got to ride it twice before it was SBNO. It was really sad for me to see it rot like that. It was my first looping coaster and first coaster I rode that went backwards.

Was also my first coaster that went backwards. I can remember when it was the big thing at KI. It was a great coaster. Shame it wasn't taken care of by CP.

[s10ryan]

yeah....i used to work at CP, they never took care of their rides, they are almost as expensive as KI. but CP is more for small children.

[coastergirl]

yeah....i used to work at CP, they never took care of their rides, they are almost as expensive as KI.  but CP is more for small children.

Are you kidding? I think they have less rides for little kids. They are Ohio's roller coast. Big coasters is usually why people go to CP and come to PKI for the family rides.

[jzarley]

I think there's some confusion...the CP being referred to in this thread is Camden Park, not Cedar Point. (I was confused too when I first read through it...)