medusa05 Posted November 3, 2007 Report Share Posted November 3, 2007 Well we all know for a point in time I guess during the 80's or 70's, they ran one side on Rolling Thunder backwards. Does anyone have pictures of it running this way? Also what side ran backwards? And normally what trains ran backwards? My mom rode it backwards but she doesn't remember it that much. Thanks, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAcoaster Posted November 3, 2007 Report Share Posted November 3, 2007 I think I remember it being the inside track that was run backwards. I know I don't have any pictures of it, but I can remember it running backwards (and being painful), and I remember the radio commercials being on the Imus show when I'd ride the bus to school in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29yrswithaGApass Posted November 3, 2007 Report Share Posted November 3, 2007 Rolling Thunder ran backwards in 1984 to mark the 100th anniversary of the roller coaster. It was unusual seeing all the "remain seated" signs facing the opposite direction on one side of the station and normal on the other. The radio commercial for REDNUHT GNILLOR will be included as part of the Rolling Thunder Spotlight (which hasn't been scheduled yet), but I just added a preview of the ad in the Gallery. Harry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medusa05 Posted November 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2007 Thanks guys! If they got new trains and retracked Rolling Thunder again I'd definately love to ride it backwards. But I don't know if they will do it again. One can only hope... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkridedan Posted December 9, 2007 Report Share Posted December 9, 2007 I don't have any pictures Medusa05. I know it was Coaster 2 that went backwards. It's the side that you go around the back of the station to ride. I believe the trains were painted black (and maybe gold) that season. There may have been "Frontwards and Backwards" or "Sbrawkcab" signs at the entrance of the ride. It was the first year I was tall enough to ride Rolling Thunder. It went backwards but I didn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsoxfan0810 Posted December 10, 2007 Report Share Posted December 10, 2007 If the park did this again, I'd rather save myself the trip to the chiropractor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29yrswithaGApass Posted December 11, 2007 Report Share Posted December 11, 2007 I can remember riding backwards and the drops being quite enjoyable. It was the turns, in particular the last one back into the station, that killed you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcji Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 They should do it during Fright Fest like they do at SFMM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CycloneMan Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 I remember in 2005 people kept insisting that for Fright Fest 05, they'd run one side of Rolling Thunder backwards...except it closed in September to build El Toro -Dainan "And the enthusiasts went wild " Rafferty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great Adventurer Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 I never knew it went backwards... Pretty cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d a n n y Posted January 2, 2008 Report Share Posted January 2, 2008 I think they should do this again. It might be more popular, probably not that much but it would help the traffic from El Toro a LITTLE bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetsDevs4Lyf Posted January 2, 2008 Report Share Posted January 2, 2008 That would be awesome to rbing back. I love Rolling Thunder (minus having one of the attendants hit me in the face this year while I was trying to sit down) and I think running it backwards for a season would bring a pretty good revival crown to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great Adventurer Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 Yeah, it has been a bit barren at times (although not at the Fright Fest, but everything was crowded then), this would be a good revival. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Master Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 I have heard they used to do that with Rolling Thunder, I know SFMM still runs Colossus backwards for their FF. Rolling Thunder is kinda rough these days so that may be why GAdv does not do it anymore? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetsDevs4Lyf Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 Well it was only for one season originally, so unfortunately I suppose that it never caught on. However we are approaching the 35th anniversary of the park so maybe, just maybe it is an idea that could be brought back at least for that season? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29yrswithaGApass Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 It also depends upon the mindset of the park's current management. I can recall the park's GM Ray Williams being asked in 1990 if he had any intentions of running Rolling Thunder backwards again, and he stated that he did not approve of the trains being operated backwards. He felt that the cars were obviously designed from a safety and comfort perspective to be operated in a forward direction and reversing the trains would put those items at risk. He was not willing to take that risk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetsDevs4Lyf Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 A very valid argument there, especially with today's mindset of sue, sue, sue the second the slightest thing goes wrong. It probably wouldn't be worth the financial risk to simply turn the cars around and run the train. Odds are it would be shot down if that is the case from the get go by one of their insurance carriers as too risky. We can alwasy hope though. Since it has been over twenty years since it's last sting running backwards it would be nice for another generation to experience it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkridedan Posted January 12, 2008 Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 Sorry guys. It's not going to happen. The trains making it around the track and returning to the station safely is about as far as the concern goes for Rolling Thunder. Six Flags and Great Adventure would show care for the guest experience by getting the right wood for the ride, replacing the steel track as needed, replacing the outdated skid breaks, lubercating the steel, removing the hard seats for wider, soft more comfortable seats, replaced the buzz bars with adjustable and less problematic ratcheting lap bars, widening and painting the interior and exterior of the station and giving the ride a proper paint job. It's a high capacity, low-problematic family ride. It is not in their best interest to give the guest a great experience on the ride. Many people blame the abanded car in front of their neighbor's house for dragging down the value of their neighborhood. I blame the neighbor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Master Posted January 12, 2008 Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 As I said Rolling Thunder is in too rough shape to run trains backwards. It's rough enough going forwards . Hopefully the park will give it a overhaul one day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetsDevs4Lyf Posted January 14, 2008 Report Share Posted January 14, 2008 That would be nice. Everything else in the are is basically brand spanking new with the retheming and constuction of El Toro. So a reworking and overhaul of Rolling Thunder would certainly be pleasant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29yrswithaGApass Posted January 14, 2008 Report Share Posted January 14, 2008 They should have operated Lightnin' Loops backwards! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcji Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 Imagine riding El Toro backwards? That would be really intense! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29yrswithaGApass Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 Imagine riding El Toro backwards? That would be really intense! I don't usually get scared on rides but I think that would be terrifying. I can picture everyone coming out of their seats as the train went down the first drop. That's when you would be thankful the train has seatbelts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetsDevs4Lyf Posted January 31, 2008 Report Share Posted January 31, 2008 That ride is intense as it ias already. I don't think I would punish myself to that extent on a ride ha ha. Although for the many thrillseekers I'm sure it would be a dream ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gafreak Posted May 3, 2008 Report Share Posted May 3, 2008 I think i remember GA running both trains on thunder backwards one year. it kicked butt backwards. I would love to see it done again.Lets petition GA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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