19Michael96
-
Posts
133 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
3
Posts posted by 19Michael96
-
-
Some movement has happened in regards to a government response: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-08/nsw-premier-considers-luna-park-ghost-train-fire-inquest/100056548?utm_source=abc_news_web&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_content=facebook&utm_campaign=abc_news_web&fbclid=IwAR0_43nVLlWR5vavyp2bWYXt2EDtTyoNCQG0wB6L4_O8gmAzuSJCY8ABHLk
A petition into a new enquiry is still available to sign here and I would encourage you all to sign it if you haven't: https://www.change.org/p/gladys-berejiklian-a-royal-commission-into-the-1979-luna-park-ghost-train-fire?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_28113349_en-AU%3A2&recruiter=9347355&recruited_by_id=958a0e60-c963-012f-1ca8-40401bfb750c&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_abi
-
2
-
-
Might also mention that the SBF convoy they had as the 2nd kids U-Drive is up for sale for a bargain of $30,000! https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/275472567327708/?ref=product_details&referral_code=undefined
-
BTW if anyone has $7,500 to spare, the former kiddie wheel is up for sale on Facebook Marketplace! https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/477007750344839/
-
- Popular Post
- Popular Post
So this evening was the first time in two years that I got the chance to head down to Luna Park again, and I was able to observe the renovations myself. Of course I managed to get an overview of Maloney's Corner from the office balcony; work on Boomerang seems more or less the same as Baconjack's photos, Little Nipper seems all but complete as does the Whirly Bug (I refuse to call it "Bug" out of principle. Sue me).
I did notice that the Rockin' Tug still seems to be at the park which I found interesting.
The Big Dipper platform has become a space for storing tracks for the Boomerang. Work has not yet begun on renovating the dodgem building exterior.
A ground view of Maloney's corner shows everything's continuing at a reasonable pace.
A view of the Little Nipper and Whirly Bug all set up awaiting more theming but if you look upon close...
A shark body is just sticking out behind the work fencing. This could either be the coaster carriage for the ride, or it's a new "bridge" for the ride entrance. I really hope it's the latter; Luna Park is in desperate need for some decent bridges like the days of old.
Lavender green is blocked off from view but is being used as storage for more Boomerang tracks and other equipment.
A distance view of the work so far.
So having finally seen the renovations in person now, I must say I'm pretty pleased with what's going on. I just hope these reno works extend to the rest of the park, cause it looks like it could do a with a massive repaint in many areas and given a consistent theming throughout. Particularly at the entrance around the carousel and The Deck.
-
8
-
15 hours ago, Yyosh said:
I still don't understand why the giant wooden blocks from the kids rides and Spider's bridge didn't get moved to Maloney's corner. If they were there it would've made the area much more appealing.
I get the feeling that relocation of the rides down the back was always a temporary measure and that they had more ambitious plans for Maloney's Corner, so they didn't bother with the theming. It's just just taken them until now to finally realise their plans.
-
So I haven't said anything about the documentary until now cause I want to wait until the full story was aired. I've always taken a neutral stance on what caused the fire; I sort of wrote off the allegations of Abe Saffron's involvement as mere rumours. Even until I watched it, I was sceptical of this series cause from the promos, it looked very "tabloid" and "sensationalist". Having now finished the series, with all the evidence and witness accounts that was collected, I'm all but certain it was arson and that Abe Saffron plus others were responsible for essentially 7 cases of manslaughter in the best case, murder in the worst case. Quite frankly I'm left feeling completely disgusted. Because of people's greed and desire for power, Sydney lost a fun park full of character that will never be recaptured, even in said park's current form where by all means, the future looks bright. But that will never compare to the fact that 7 people prematurely lost their lives, and many others lost devoted loved ones who they'll never get back. No one deserves to have that happen to them. And knowing what we know now, I'll never look at the 80's era of Luna Park run by Harbourside in a positive light again, despite the fact it gave us the Skylab ferris wheel which is still awesome. But knowing that a bunch of organised criminals hijacked the lease bidding and built a soulless McDonalds looking funfair to use it as a money making machine, with ambitions to turn it into a development complex? It makes me sick. And I tell you what, I've lost a lot of respect for many people in power with what's come to light, whether it's the NSW Police force or Premier Wran; someone who I admired for his efforts in saving Sydney's environment and heritage after Bob Askin's development crazed government among other things. The whole thing has left me fuming about the lack of injustice with this incident. I hope this series leads to a fresh enquiry and even a Royal Commision that finally offers closure after 42 years, and I will campaign and support any calls for such things. This cannot sleep any longer. 7 people deserve their due diligence.
-
1
-
3
-
-
Quite an interesting document. I was particularly keen on reading about the conservation of the Art Barton artworks; quite a few need more more attendance than I thought. I'm reminded of what the late Martin Sharp said in "The Art of Fun" documentary; that Coney Island in particular needs a permanent curator to ensure the artefacts within are constantly maintained to high standard. Also pretty amusing how many of Art's paintings were coated over with varnish in the 70's leaving them yellowed; I know Peter Kingston and Martin were kicking themselves for doing that.
-
2
-
-
13 hours ago, Coasterlife said:
Credit: coastersodaa on Instagram
it’s not the best photo but it’s something but we can see BUG is being constructed
Whilst it is great the pace is continuing and all, if I could just rant here for a moment: BUG is still such a stupid name for a ride. They couldn't even come up with something a LITTLE bit more innovative like "Whirly Bug" or something like that? They went with the most uninspired choice imaginable? I mean the other ride names I can actually understand and see how they fit but here? No, it's just pathetic.
On a more positive note, I remember a few years ago that according to Jobe, there were plans to make a new "tumblebug" sculpture or similar in homage to the original. I wonder if this ride will incorporate that...
-
See I'm not sure if I agree with all the names for these rides. I would've at least have named some in homage to the old rides such as the Sledgehammer being named "Flying Saucer", the boomerang "Wild Cat", and I would've given the kiddie wheel a much more clever name than just "Bug".
-
3
-
-
This news pleases me. If they bring back the Billabong Bunyip as part of the water park redevelopments (the lagoon appears to be part of the upgrades) then I'll be very happy.
-
1
-
-
You know what, I don't believe anyone's shared the coverage of the recent news by Channels 7 and 9. So here:
-
1
-
-
9 hours ago, AheadMatthewawsome said:
Would you happen to know David (who's another volunteer at the Tramway Museum)? If you do, tell him that I say hi and that I will forever be grateful for his help when I was extremely upset one time there.
Depends on which David you’re referring to as there are a few there who I know. I assume you mean David Critchley - as he’s the only David who appears on traffic these days - whom yes I do know very well.
-
Okay. So I've had some time to take in all this news, and I think I'm ready to give my thoughts in a calm and civilised manner. Ahem..... OHMYGODTHISISTHEBESTTHINGEVERTHATSEVERHAPPENEDTOTHEPARKINWAYOVERADECADEANDALLMYDREAMSANDFANTASISESANDVISIONSABOUTTHEFUTUREOFTHEPARKARECOMINGTRUEITSTOOEXCITINGICANTSTANDITAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So naturally I'm very pleased with today's news. I was already very happy after the 2020 Transport Heritage Grants had been announced (the Sydney Tramway Museum, which I volunteer at, got two grants; one to finish off restoration on our 1898 D class tram, the other to digitise our archives), but this is just the icing on top! And just a side note that no one's mentioned yet, the concept art has the facade for the dodgems redone so that it fits the Arabian look of Big Dipper building. This just makes me even more thrilled as this is exactly what I wanted to see happen to the dodgems entrance for the last 3 years. Next year's gonna be great!
-
2
-
-
21 hours ago, Jobe said:
Well it’s official unfortunately!! Tumblebug, the 2nd last Huss ride at LPS, a Huss Troika model, is being dismantled and removed from the park.
A unique ride in Australia, hopefully this is replaced with a similar family friendly ride that still delivers a good amount of thrills.
RIP Tumblebug
DAAAAAAMMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!
Now like any sad sack obsessing over amusement parks, I must speculate what new ride will be placed in this spot. Judging by the surrounding themed buildings I have my ideas but..... we'll see.
-
The only ride I really CAN miss is the Looney Tunes River Rapids.
-
Not to bring up an old post again, but Tony Goldmark of Some Jerk with a Camera fame, has just made a new State of the Parks video that discusses the Splash Mountain re-theme that provides some historical context about the ride. If you've got 46 minutes to spare, I reckon it's worth checking out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5hIamKrdxk
-
On 27/08/2020 at 10:14 PM, AheadMatthewawsome said:
There is literally an user called Gunzel. And he is the worst of the bunch! He knocks off my nerves even when talking about Physical Distancing, thinking that I want everyone to bunker down for 3 years when I said that you need to enforce Physical Distancing anywhere to prevent a Second Wave. And now that Second Wave has come by because of that! Great Job, s3_gunzel... 😤
I've actually met s3_gunzel in person. He's a nice guy once you get to know him, the problem is when one is on the spectrum and has an online presence, there's always gonna be a clash of personalities when they come into conflict with likeminded individuals. Believe me I know.
-
1
-
-
Very interesting to see this after reading about the proposal in "Just For Fun". According to that, the coaster would've necessitated the removal of Coney Island so in a way, it's a good thing this never got off the ground.
-
I actually do have an idea of how to bring back the River Caves; whether it’s feasible or not is another thing but it’s just my fantasy: they acquire some of the railway land behind Maloneys Corner once the stabling sidings are eventually disused. Not a whole lot but just enough that it fits the footprint of the original ride, and then rebuild a new, modernised River Caves accordingly. Then the rest of the railway land could be converted into the proposed walkway the Lavender Bay residents have come up with, with maybe one section of track retained for heritage runs. I can’t see it being impractical to do; it’s more so just a matter of money and will power that would stop such a thing. I know Multiplex said years ago that they’d love to see the River Caves return when they took over the park in 2004, and yes that was 16 years ago and times change, but it’s left me optimistic. In any case, I just would like to LPS invest in more easy-going and gentle permanent rides. Not everyone can handle the thrills and spills of roller coasters and droppers. I’ve said this for three years; LPS needs balance. Not just between functions and events and rides, but also with the ride types themselves; they need both gentle and thrilling. And I think the River Caves would be a good contender. Sigh, if only Peter Kingston was able to retain the original River Caves as is ala Coney Island. They really screwed him over at the auction. Oh well.
-
12 hours ago, StingRay said:
Gunzels annoy me also.
I think Gunzels are annoyed by Gunzels tbh.
-
Jesus all this tense bickering, arguing and sense of entitlement etc. going on in this forum over what LPS should and shouldn't do/have - a lot of it coaster centric - and here I am thinking: "bring back the River Caves!"
-
6 hours ago, Jobe said:
To add to that, there are plans afoot to turn this railway corridor into the Sydney Harbour Highline, after the line is deemed not needed/required. This is a great plan and will preserve one of the lines for heritage trains and events whilst also turning the other line into a combined walkway and cycleway for the full length of the corridor. Perhaps when this occurs LPS could negotiate to recieve part of the land that the sidings finish at, thereby enlargening Maloneys Corner and making it a more even square set of land for the park to utilise.
This is EXACTLY the kind of idea that I've had in mind. I just want the River Caves back and I can't anywhere else in the park they could fit. The Big Top has taken up a lot of space (not that I begrudge it's existence; it's been great for many major events and a good revenue raiser for the park and ensures that it remains viable for many generations to come. I'd just like a better balance between rides and venues).
-
4
-
-
On 08/05/2020 at 10:42 PM, AheadMatthewawsome said:
I am also considering about the Old Milsons Point Station being restored for public use. Multiple options include, staying as a siding, made into a non operational station like Cooma, used for heritage transport events, replica of Australia's first Escalator, and more! If lucky and these current plans are cancelled, the area could be used as a Family Coaster.
I would rather have some of the old station land acquired by the park and a new River Caves ride built on it.
-
Wow this is amazing. Thanks @Jobe. I cannot believe I've neglected to find this video myself. Had I noticed I would've uploaded it here months ago! Definitely was worth me posting to this forum again lol.
-
1
-
Luna park 9 new rides construction
in Theme Park Discussion
Posted
Ground view of new Boomerang track this afternoon:
How the park looks now from McMahon’s Point: