I remember visiting scenic world in 2005 and being shocked at seeing what looked like a rollercoaster in an otherwise scenic nature park. My brother asked one of the staff about it and they just told him it was closed for maintenance and would be reopening soon. Now I know that was bullshit!
@@ExpeditionThemePark Umi: umm wait.. was that Phil Hammond was completely lack of that experience at the ride striking the coaster's unsuccessful way in 1988
Designed in rct? Yeah, pretty much! Those banking turns look like they had only 3 buttons with three different degree's to chose from. The transitions look incredibly painful.
This was so interesting! I've been wanting to learn more about old or abandoned attractions in countries other than the U.S. I like how you talk about attractions from many different places including the U.S., England, and Australia.
I grew up not far from this thing and it always fascinated me as a kid in the 80s seeing it standing but not operating... it turned me into a coaster enthusiast
How could you not have heard of it ? It's been part of Australian amusement folklore for decades... Just like the razor blade stories from Mt Druitt WaterWorks lol
This is probably the most interesting one of all the ones you have covered. An abandoned ride that never saw the light of day in operation. While it was a folly of the father, son, and granddaughter - it obviously a dream for them to make it come true. Unfortunately modern regulations and time were its enemy and it never made it. What a story.
I'd never heard this coaster's story and (though not Australian) I have traveled there extensively there, and I believe I went down the Incline Railway - awesome, if you get a chance to do it, do it - and saw the Orphan Rocker track at the entry back in the day. I really appreciate that this channel covers subjects like this. Of course, cover Disney, Universal, Alton Towers, etc. But a lot of people do that. The breadth of your channel's subjects, exhibited in episodes like this one and in the Terror On Church Street Orlando, is one of the qualities that stand out.
I always wondered why they didn't just tear this up and have a professional manufacturer design and build a safe and more comfortable coaster. It's nice to see that the granddaughter thought the same thing and must have met with manufacturers at IAAPA. I'm sad that nothing came of it. It's probably too expensive for them to build.
@cumquatrct3 The concept has already been done actually. Vekoma built the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Walt Disney World, which features mine cars that swing side to side. And it's pretty darned accessible given it's a family roller coaster with scenes from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. ;)
Yeah, I suspect that in some hard-to-define way, the problem was that it was home made equipment, not something that a large, well known manufacture of roller-coasters had supplied and installed. Even if it met all the standards, if there was later an accident, people would be screaming "what were you thinking, approving something this guy cobbled together with his son?!?!?"
I was so glad to find this video after visiting this park last September. Our tour guide briefly mentioned the roller coaster as we were leaving. I think the tracks are mostly gone now.
Thanks for putting this together and uploading! Definitely an extinct ride that deserves historical attention!! I rode the scenic incline and skyway many years back. For those wondering, the incline isn’t really a thrill ride in terms of speed, but it’s scary when you go over into the steep part at first 😱 Not a fast speedy thrill but it’s well worth the visit! The skyway views are spectacular and the region is beautiful. The idea of a coaster going through this terrain was fantastic. It’s a huge pity it wasn’t designed better to meet safety and comfort standards and opened. Regardless the park is spectacularly beautiful and should be visited by anyone inclined (haha) to check out the region.
I grew up in Katoomba - I have a memory from when I was really young of going to Scenic World (we went all the time), and going really fast and being freaked out. Way faster than the scenic railway still there. My Mum says I never went on it, but I have this really strange memory and still to this day have dreams about a fast railway along cliffs. Maybe it was my young imagination, maybe someone took me on it. I’m not sure. Either way, part of me wishes it did exist, it was such a unique weird coaster. But I guess the mystery of it is also really cool too
The Orphan Rocker is still up. but only in sections, part has been removed at the entrance to the carpark. The tunnel section has been closed off for years and houses (at least) one of the trains (plus parts and weeds)
The pov's are really rare to come by. And these are the only pov's of orphan Rocker in Operation. Really weird Layout but it was still a good coaster even If people did Not get the Chance to Ride it except for the TV promotionals and the people who Made it.
Went here in 1988 when I was 6 years old, and it immediately captured my imagination as the track descended into the forest, enshrouded in ferns and lush tropical jungle and snaking into caves. I dreamt of being on it many times, as my young mind could only boggle at the excitement it would hold! I remember back then they said it would be open by that Christmas so seems I have been waiting forever for it to open, never heard about it and eventually forgot about it. Seeing it now I can honestly say if I had been able to ride it , it truly would have matched my wildest fantasies! Maybe some day my children may be able to ride it...
I was like 12 in 1992 when my parents took me to the blue mountains and I saw this. I was so intrigued by this visible roller coaster track that seemingly had no way to ride it.
Great video. My son and I visited in November and were quite surprised to see how much track is still there. They even allowed us to see the carriage that still exists in a dark tunnel. I managed to take a few pics and videos of this and the remaining track. After our visit we tried to find out as much as possible about the ride and its history but there isn't that much out there, until now! Your video was excellent in that it gave a lot of detail about the Orphan Rocker but also placed it in context with the evolution of Scenic World, a great place to visit.
As a theme park nut who lives in Orlando. I am madly in love with this channel. Awesome content and just mind blowing research, just great. But, I do have to say, if someone told me to ride this ride, and being told after that the ride wasn't safe enough to open it, damn I would've fainted. I wonder if that guy who rode it ever got pissed that the show made him ride it, knowing that it wasn't safe?
As a child in the 1980’s, my family often visited the area. So much about Katoomba and Scenic World fascinated me. The legend about how the Three Sisters were formed. The coal mine rails and the entrances to the mines, fenced off but enticingly visible. The counterweight and cables and motors of the Skyway, and riding it and wondering, if it were to fall, would Superman appear and save us like he did Lois Lane in the Eiffel Tower elevator when it fell 😄 And yes, the Orphan Rocker track. It was alarmingly crooked to my eye (I didn’t understand about banking at age 6 😄) and took you into the bush and goodness knows where after that, in carriages that were equally mysterious because I never did see one (and had not, in fact, until viewing this video tonight). So I really enjoyed watching this video. It has provided a sort of explanatory epilogue to a piece of my childhood. Many thanks 😊
So glad you've covered this crazy little part of Australian history! I always heard the sandbag stories as a kid, kind of glad to know that was a myth....
At least this rollercoaster didn't deal with executive meddling, having a similar roller coaster from a much bigger tourist destination getting opened first, or.....uh...... what's the rollercoaster equivalent of Vincent Price dying long before the movie's release?
Holy Cow oh man thank you for this! This has been such a fascination for me for years after visiting scenic world in the early 2000s. Seeing ride footage after all these years is amazing!!
I went two years ago and there was just a small section of track left up the top like a bit of a tribute to it. The scenic railway is scary enough but this would have possibly topped it off with the extreme banking.
That on-ride footage showed me the first and only roller coaster I absolutely wouldn't go on. Nothing about that looked stable or safe. Next to this, Action Park looks like being inside a Volvo with 15 airbags.
I don't no if it's even still there due to the recent fires, but it still is a beautiful place to visit, thanks for giving an Australian "coaster" a bit of attention, it looks so amazing I would love to ride it
Thank you sooooo much as an Australian I've always loved and wanted to know more about this attraction and this video has answered all my questions and a few I didn't know I needed answers for!!! 10 out of 10
Great video Sam! You could see the realization in that mullet guys eyes of how in danger he really had been while he was riding the coaster that hadn't even passed safety inspection yet.
THanks for the documentary. The idea of a RC through the wild nature is very appealing, although this dream never happened to open they can still tear down the old and place a proper RC. Maybe some day the dream will come true ... Now I want to visit that park :)
I worked there in the late eighties as a ride operator on the skyway and railway. I was lucky that i once got to ride this amazing coaster and what a wild ride it was, thanks Phillip Hammond for letting me ride it. It was thrilling and fun and was a fun place to work
3:34 was gonna call you out here saying that we don't have pounds but dollars, but turns out we did! All the way from 1910 until 1966. Also love the video - fascinating to see a history video about somewhere i actually went as a kid, it's a weird yet enjoyable feeling. And i remember seeing that white track wondering what it was used for! Now i know
Thanks so much for such a great video!! I grew up watching this being installed and I was absolutely fascinated by it!! The myths and legends surrounding this ride are numerous in Australian amusement history. Its such a shame that they never found a way to get it open. Enthusiasts would have come from all over the world to ride the thing and get the credit. As one poster pointed out, an RMC raptor would be an ideal replacement here if the owners had the will. Sadly Anthea Hammon has gone on record saying that , whilst she was obsessed with roller coasters when younger, she has moved on from that obsession. This will be removed completely one day very quietly and it will be nothing more than a memory. Kudos for find the most complete footage of the ride to be seen on UA-cam- the Just for The Record scenes with Garry Who has only just surfaced on UA-cam- I watched it being aired first hand when I was a kid- fuelled my imagination to ride no end!! Also love The Curiosity Show footage- that REALLY took me back!! Despite not opening, Scenic World is an amazing place, the Scenic Railway is just an awesome ride and they have 2 world class cable cars that plunge to the bottom of the valley. I am sure that Scenic World will continue to slowly add attractions to the site but unfortunately, i dont think a coaster is in their immediate future. Thanks again- love this- great to see a legendary Aussie attraction garner such international interest.
My wife and I did the mine tour with the inclinded railway and the railroad around the valley as part of a blue mountains tour. It was fantastic! I highly recommend it.
Great video You should do the history or the eureka mountain runaway mine coaster at Dreamworld Australia it has a very interesting history and ended up being sbno for years after it closed
such a sad Storie. seems fairly well built for just a home made roller coaster. and that track design is alot more like a modern mack then a 1983 coaster.
This was really fascinating. A bit heartbreaking that it never opened, but also the coaster seemed a bit terrifying, even if 28 mph is relatively slow by a lot of coaster standards.
Really enjoyed this! I got back from Australia (from the Uk) three weeks ago. Blue mountains was by far the most incredible thing, we’re supposed to go the train & cable cart but my ex’s family didn’t want to despite how excited I was! Now I’m more gutted haha, and will have to go back to experience it! I had no idea about that coaster tooo! X
Great video. I can't help but think however that at 0:33 with the outfit and mullet that this is about the most australian lookin' guy I've seen in a minute. Seriously feels like I'd see him as the villain in Dead End Drive In or something. Anyways, again, great video and keep up the awesome work. Cheers!!
I went to this park last year and seeing parts of the track just sitting there was wild. The scenic railway now know as Cliffhanger was actually really fun. You can adjust your seat forward for a more thrilling decent.
I bought a t-shirt to support the fantastic high quality videos you continue to produce year after year. Keep it up mate and let me know the next time you're in Orlando! ;)
Expedition Theme Park: If looking in another very interesting piece of Australian theme park history, take a long look at Sydney Luna Park! From its beginnings of transporting all the rides from Adelaide to several closure issues over the decades and tragedy then re-imagining, its an Australian ICON to all Aussies not just to Sydney dwellers. It still operates but almost all the major rides and attractions that made it awesome are now extinct except for its fantastic entry facade and historically significant fun house. Check it out!
Btw I have a copy of the very good documentary video “Spirits of the Carnival” which covers Sydney Luna Park history very well, but I’d love to see you do a presentation on it! 👍
Interesting bit of trivia for you. In late 1995 I lived in Katoomba. The people I lived with had a friend that I was introduced to that had broken into the coaster area and suffered severe leg injuries for which he was later paid a decent amount of compensation. The story goes he and a couple of mates had climbed on the tracks after security had tried to chased them out. Security then decided to turn on the coaster to scare them to jump down. He did not get down in time and was hit and his legs run over by the coaster. He required many surgeries to fix his legs and was heavily scared and still barely able to walk with arm crutches when I met him. I have no way to varify the story he told of how he was injured is true or not but many other friends of his confirmed that was how he was injured.
Imagine if they rebuilt it as a scenic roller coaster. Sections where you quickly drop and dart around, and sections where you coast gently and admire breathtaking vistas. I'd be down for that ride.
As an Australian, I hope nothing ever happens like that. The area is surrounded by National Park and is full of wildlife. Nothing would be scarier for them than a noisy rattling machine.
What are those transitions? The banking starts yards before the turn. Also, do the cars rock on their own due to momentum, or are they controlled by track elements??
As a lil 1980s Sydney kid I traveled to the Blue Mountains (at least once) every year for holidays and every year we'd go to Scenic World and every year I'd ask my father, "Has the Orphan Rocker opened yet, Dad?" and every year he'd answer something like "No, but it's almost finished, it should definitely be ready next year". It was LIES, LIES, ALL LIES!!!
Inappropriate for such a beautiful location. Noise was the bigger issue than safety. Same deal as the ill fated new roller coaster at Luna Park. The neighbours including Penelope and Harry Seidler campaigned to have it removed. I replace the much noiser wooden roller coaster as one of the rides lost in the fatal Ghost Train Fire... In those days the neighbours were office buildings replace by apartments...
What extinct attractions or parks would you like to see covered on Expedition Extinct? Let me know!
You should do a video on Celebration City.
You should do a video on moonsault scrambler
Maybe a video on the Haunted Shack at Knott’s?
Should do a video on colossus at Thorpe Park
I second Moonsault Scramble.
I remember visiting scenic world in 2005 and being shocked at seeing what looked like a rollercoaster in an otherwise scenic nature park. My brother asked one of the staff about it and they just told him it was closed for maintenance and would be reopening soon. Now I know that was bullshit!
Yeah not likely
When I went I was told that the dummies they used to test the thing would come back headless and limbless...
Orphan Rocker? This has to one of the more frightening things I've ever seen to be made into a coaster. Lovely views though.
Yeah ha
World's most jank roller coaster ever, this ride was designed in rct
I wish I could ride!
@@ExpeditionThemePark Umi: umm wait.. was that Phil Hammond was completely lack of that experience at the ride striking the coaster's unsuccessful way in 1988
Designed in rct? Yeah, pretty much! Those banking turns look like they had only 3 buttons with three different degree's to chose from. The transitions look incredibly painful.
It adds to the flavor. Normal rollercoasters are designed to be smooth - a glorified kiddie's ride.
Clearly
This was so interesting! I've been wanting to learn more about old or abandoned attractions in countries other than the U.S. I like how you talk about attractions from many different places including the U.S., England, and Australia.
Thanks!
I grew up not far from this thing and it always fascinated me as a kid in the 80s seeing it standing but not operating... it turned me into a coaster enthusiast
Shame you never got to ride!
As an Aussie who's never even heard about this coaster, it saddens me that barely any (including myself) got to ride it
yeah it is a shame
How could you not have heard of it ? It's been part of Australian amusement folklore for decades... Just like the razor blade stories from Mt Druitt WaterWorks lol
I only lived in Brisy for a few years when I was a kid but now I'm back in WA
@@user-pl5ds8iz6q ahah I remember the razor blade stories haunting me as a kid.
@@user-pl5ds8iz6q wai-what about razors?
This is probably the most interesting one of all the ones you have covered. An abandoned ride that never saw the light of day in operation. While it was a folly of the father, son, and granddaughter - it obviously a dream for them to make it come true. Unfortunately modern regulations and time were its enemy and it never made it. What a story.
This is one of the most heart breaking stories to come out of this channel. Replace it with a RMC single rail and we're talking all my money!
Yeah!
I'd never heard this coaster's story and (though not Australian) I have traveled there extensively there, and I believe I went down the Incline Railway - awesome, if you get a chance to do it, do it - and saw the Orphan Rocker track at the entry back in the day. I really appreciate that this channel covers subjects like this. Of course, cover Disney, Universal, Alton Towers, etc. But a lot of people do that. The breadth of your channel's subjects, exhibited in episodes like this one and in the Terror On Church Street Orlando, is one of the qualities that stand out.
That footage in the beginning of the coaster operating is amazing! Where did you find it?
It's on the rccgb page
YT coaster enthusiast greats appearing on each other's videos, beautiful
If you are talking about the non tv promo stuff email me and will send you it sam@expeditionthemepark.com
@@ExpeditionThemePark I sent you an email.
@@ThemeParkCrazy hello :)
“An expected 150,000 visitors a year were expected.”
_hmm, yes, the floor here is made out of floor_
I realised that after sorry
@@ExpeditionThemePark Bruh you are the best UA-cam channel I've come across, no need to apologize for a janky sentence lol.
Wait what I don't get it
@@nak_attak lmfao!
R/woosh
@@Priest_Of_Zebak Stop it. Get some help.
I always wondered why they didn't just tear this up and have a professional manufacturer design and build a safe and more comfortable coaster. It's nice to see that the granddaughter thought the same thing and must have met with manufacturers at IAAPA. I'm sad that nothing came of it. It's probably too expensive for them to build.
@cumquatrct3 The concept has already been done actually. Vekoma built the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Walt Disney World, which features mine cars that swing side to side. And it's pretty darned accessible given it's a family roller coaster with scenes from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. ;)
Like you said, they probably simply can't afford it. Building a ride in such difficult terrain must be super expensive
Yeah, I suspect that in some hard-to-define way, the problem was that it was home made equipment, not something that a large, well known manufacture of roller-coasters had supplied and installed. Even if it met all the standards, if there was later an accident, people would be screaming "what were you thinking, approving something this guy cobbled together with his son?!?!?"
are theses hammonds related to john hammonds of the failed jurrasic park? that family needs to give up on parks
Hahah true
Why don't you do a video on the history of Jurassic Park then?
I did see a dinosaur at 12:35 🤔 “Natural splendor” indeed...life finds a way!
The park only failed because of the fat loser, It prob would of been fine and still open. But, it's a film.
If Richard Hammond had anything to do with it there would be a crash.
I was so glad to find this video after visiting this park last September. Our tour guide briefly mentioned the roller coaster as we were leaving. I think the tracks are mostly gone now.
Thanks for putting this together and uploading! Definitely an extinct ride that deserves historical attention!! I rode the scenic incline and skyway many years back. For those wondering, the incline isn’t really a thrill ride in terms of speed, but it’s scary when you go over into the steep part at first 😱 Not a fast speedy thrill but it’s well worth the visit! The skyway views are spectacular and the region is beautiful. The idea of a coaster going through this terrain was fantastic. It’s a huge pity it wasn’t designed better to meet safety and comfort standards and opened. Regardless the park is spectacularly beautiful and should be visited by anyone inclined (haha) to check out the region.
Naming your coaster “Orphan Rocker”?
Gee what could possibly go wrong?
Haha true
If something went wrong, you’d become an orphan.
Gee. Wonder what will happen. Shall I push the button to find out? :/
* shudders from thinking about Bubsy somehow being involved with this ride *
5:29
a coaster on the side of a mountain or cliff is such a cool idea. i wish this was finished and i could ride it.
Very interesting story. They never gave up with this ride. Such a shame it's left in this way. Great video Sam.
Thank you John
well, they did give up 3 years ago, when sections were torn sown for good.
This story is so Australian...
Haha yeah
I love that! Lol
I grew up in Katoomba - I have a memory from when I was really young of going to Scenic World (we went all the time), and going really fast and being freaked out. Way faster than the scenic railway still there. My Mum says I never went on it, but I have this really strange memory and still to this day have dreams about a fast railway along cliffs. Maybe it was my young imagination, maybe someone took me on it. I’m not sure. Either way, part of me wishes it did exist, it was such a unique weird coaster. But I guess the mystery of it is also really cool too
Ah, the most holy of grail credits.
Yes please!
ehat about that one "toboggan" ride somewhere in the woods ? tested once by 2 people, deemed highly unsafe and left abandoned.
@@Gigidag77 if we're going to count that, Catapulta at Ai Pioppi has been ridden by only one guy...
I was just looking at some of the coasters that have been in my state and thinking about how rare the Neverland Ranch coaster credits must be.
That Superman (6FMM) clone in Thailand is probably the rarest
The Orphan Rocker is still up. but only in sections, part has been removed at the entrance to the carpark. The tunnel section has been closed off for years and houses (at least) one of the trains (plus parts and weeds)
This is so sad that this man’s hard work was basically abandoned ! Another hit!
The pov's are really rare to come by. And these are the only pov's of orphan Rocker in Operation. Really weird Layout but it was still a good coaster even If people did Not get the Chance to Ride it except for the TV promotionals and the people who Made it.
Went here in 1988 when I was 6 years old, and it immediately captured my imagination as the track descended into the forest, enshrouded in ferns and lush tropical jungle and snaking into caves. I dreamt of being on it many times, as my young mind could only boggle at the excitement it would hold! I remember back then they said it would be open by that Christmas so seems I have been waiting forever for it to open, never heard about it and eventually forgot about it.
Seeing it now I can honestly say if I had been able to ride it , it truly would have matched my wildest fantasies! Maybe some day my children may be able to ride it...
I was like 12 in 1992 when my parents took me to the blue mountains and I saw this. I was so intrigued by this visible roller coaster track that seemingly had no way to ride it.
Great video. My son and I visited in November and were quite surprised to see how much track is still there. They even allowed us to see the carriage that still exists in a dark tunnel. I managed to take a few pics and videos of this and the remaining track. After our visit we tried to find out as much as possible about the ride and its history but there isn't that much out there, until now! Your video was excellent in that it gave a lot of detail about the Orphan Rocker but also placed it in context with the evolution of Scenic World, a great place to visit.
Thank you!
As a theme park nut who lives in Orlando. I am madly in love with this channel. Awesome content and just mind blowing research, just great. But, I do have to say, if someone told me to ride this ride, and being told after that the ride wasn't safe enough to open it, damn I would've fainted. I wonder if that guy who rode it ever got pissed that the show made him ride it, knowing that it wasn't safe?
Thank you!
As a child in the 1980’s, my family often visited the area. So much about Katoomba and Scenic World fascinated me. The legend about how the Three Sisters were formed. The coal mine rails and the entrances to the mines, fenced off but enticingly visible. The counterweight and cables and motors of the Skyway, and riding it and wondering, if it were to fall, would Superman appear and save us like he did Lois Lane in the Eiffel Tower elevator when it fell 😄 And yes, the Orphan Rocker track. It was alarmingly crooked to my eye (I didn’t understand about banking at age 6 😄) and took you into the bush and goodness knows where after that, in carriages that were equally mysterious because I never did see one (and had not, in fact, until viewing this video tonight). So I really enjoyed watching this video. It has provided a sort of explanatory epilogue to a piece of my childhood. Many thanks 😊
So glad you've covered this crazy little part of Australian history! I always heard the sandbag stories as a kid, kind of glad to know that was a myth....
It's like the roller coaster equivalent of "The Thief and The Cobbler".
oh god you're right
At least this rollercoaster didn't deal with executive meddling, having a similar roller coaster from a much bigger tourist destination getting opened first, or.....uh...... what's the rollercoaster equivalent of Vincent Price dying long before the movie's release?
@@otaking3582 The designer dying, perhaps?
@@stillbuyvhs Probably
Holy shit you're right. I really love that movie... Well, the uncut version I mean. :( Tack is just too cute.
I love this channel! Please do more on old Pleasure Beach rides!
Holy Cow oh man thank you for this! This has been such a fascination for me for years after visiting scenic world in the early 2000s. Seeing ride footage after all these years is amazing!!
I went two years ago and there was just a small section of track left up the top like a bit of a tribute to it. The scenic railway is scary enough but this would have possibly topped it off with the extreme banking.
Lived near Sydney all my life, been to the Blue Mountains, and never knew this existed. Very interesting!
It's a odd one!
Wow! That’s quite a view from the skyway!
You could even say very Scenic! 😆😆
The best story about a ride I'd never heard of, well done.
Thank you!
@@ExpeditionThemePark ✌👌
Perhaps the world's rarest credit
That on-ride footage showed me the first and only roller coaster I absolutely wouldn't go on. Nothing about that looked stable or safe. Next to this, Action Park looks like being inside a Volvo with 15 airbags.
It does look crazy!
This Coaster should be cloned in Action Park. It belongs there.
I don't no if it's even still there due to the recent fires, but it still is a beautiful place to visit, thanks for giving an Australian "coaster" a bit of attention, it looks so amazing I would love to ride it
Luckily it is
@@ExpeditionThemePark check out puzzle world in South Australia the slides were absolutely crazy
Love this coasters story!
So cool!
Thank you sooooo much as an Australian I've always loved and wanted to know more about this attraction and this video has answered all my questions and a few I didn't know I needed answers for!!!
10 out of 10
Thank you!
Same here. I'd heard the sandbag story as a kid growing up in the blue mountains so it was good to hear that get a mention (and fact check!)
Great video Sam! You could see the realization in that mullet guys eyes of how in danger he really had been while he was riding the coaster that hadn't even passed safety inspection yet.
A homemade rollercoaster on the edge of a cliff? Gee I wonder why it didn't pass safety relegations
I wonder ha
Yeah, but it's Australia.
Finally an explanation on the old roller coaster I’ve seen at Scenic World that I’ve seen there during the two occasions I’ve been there! :)
I like his videos because they are not boring
Omg but you're just expected to hold on for the whole three minutes? I could NEVER
i have always see that frame when I go, and have been told it was a coster that never got finished, but wow. footage of it being used!
THanks for the documentary. The idea of a RC through the wild nature is very appealing, although this dream never happened to open they can still tear down the old and place a proper RC. Maybe some day the dream will come true ...
Now I want to visit that park :)
Another great video! I learned quite a bit watching this. Thanks for the lesson!
"And on the left you can see the nature reclaiming a derelict rollercoaster."
I worked there in the late eighties as a ride operator on the skyway and railway.
I was lucky that i once got to ride this amazing coaster and what a wild ride it was, thanks Phillip Hammond for letting me ride it. It was thrilling and fun and was a fun place to work
3:34 was gonna call you out here saying that we don't have pounds but dollars, but turns out we did! All the way from 1910 until 1966. Also love the video - fascinating to see a history video about somewhere i actually went as a kid, it's a weird yet enjoyable feeling. And i remember seeing that white track wondering what it was used for! Now i know
I knew someone was gonna comment about that! Haha i actually didn't know myself until researching this video.
Thanks so much for such a great video!! I grew up watching this being installed and I was absolutely fascinated by it!! The myths and legends surrounding this ride are numerous in Australian amusement history. Its such a shame that they never found a way to get it open. Enthusiasts would have come from all over the world to ride the thing and get the credit. As one poster pointed out, an RMC raptor would be an ideal replacement here if the owners had the will. Sadly Anthea Hammon has gone on record saying that , whilst she was obsessed with roller coasters when younger, she has moved on from that obsession. This will be removed completely one day very quietly and it will be nothing more than a memory. Kudos for find the most complete footage of the ride to be seen on UA-cam- the Just for The Record scenes with Garry Who has only just surfaced on UA-cam- I watched it being aired first hand when I was a kid- fuelled my imagination to ride no end!! Also love The Curiosity Show footage- that REALLY took me back!! Despite not opening, Scenic World is an amazing place, the Scenic Railway is just an awesome ride and they have 2 world class cable cars that plunge to the bottom of the valley. I am sure that Scenic World will continue to slowly add attractions to the site but unfortunately, i dont think a coaster is in their immediate future. Thanks again- love this- great to see a legendary Aussie attraction garner such international interest.
My wife and I did the mine tour with the inclinded railway and the railroad around the valley as part of a blue mountains tour. It was fantastic! I highly recommend it.
Great video You should do the history or the eureka mountain runaway mine coaster at Dreamworld Australia it has a very interesting history and ended up being sbno for years after it closed
I've been on the Incline Railway and did not expect it to go as fast as it did, but oh boy was it fun and cool. Definitely recommend
I was just watching a video about this ride and saw you uploaded this today wow!!
such a sad Storie. seems fairly well built for just a home made roller coaster. and that track design is alot more like a modern mack then a 1983 coaster.
Really enjoyed the extra information you provided that I never knew about!!👍🏼😁
This was really fascinating. A bit heartbreaking that it never opened, but also the coaster seemed a bit terrifying, even if 28 mph is relatively slow by a lot of coaster standards.
Really enjoyed this! I got back from Australia (from the Uk) three weeks ago. Blue mountains was by far the most incredible thing, we’re supposed to go the train & cable cart but my ex’s family didn’t want to despite how excited I was! Now I’m more gutted haha, and will have to go back to experience it! I had no idea about that coaster tooo! X
Just found your channel, bunging on all your videos! Absolutely love them!
I love the stories.
Keep up the good work.
Great video. I can't help but think however that at 0:33 with the outfit and mullet that this is about the most australian lookin' guy I've seen in a minute. Seriously feels like I'd see him as the villain in Dead End Drive In or something. Anyways, again, great video and keep up the awesome work. Cheers!!
Wow where the F did you find this footage? Fantastic!!! Been looking for so long for some real POV footage of this thing in action what a find!!!
THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE UA-cam CHANNELS❤❤❤
Thank you!
Great video as always. Keep up the good work.
I went to this park last year and seeing parts of the track just sitting there was wild. The scenic railway now know as Cliffhanger was actually really fun. You can adjust your seat forward for a more thrilling decent.
After seeing this I will never complain about Arrow's transitions again.
This is the kinda stuff I LIVE for! I love it!
look at those AMAZING transitions
I bought a t-shirt to support the fantastic high quality videos you continue to produce year after year. Keep it up mate and let me know the next time you're in Orlando! ;)
Thanks so much! I am in Orlando right now 😃
I love to watch both you and Jackie!! I also love your choice of cheesy commercials and ads!!! They didn't feel quite so cheesy back then 🤣
You have the best theme music of any channel on the Internet.
Thanks haha
Expedition Theme Park: If looking in another very interesting piece of Australian theme park history, take a long look at Sydney Luna Park! From its beginnings of transporting all the rides from Adelaide to several closure issues over the decades and tragedy then re-imagining, its an Australian ICON to all Aussies not just to Sydney dwellers. It still operates but almost all the major rides and attractions that made it awesome are now extinct except for its fantastic entry facade and historically significant fun house. Check it out!
Btw I have a copy of the very good documentary video “Spirits of the Carnival” which covers Sydney Luna Park history very well, but I’d love to see you do a presentation on it! 👍
Interesting bit of trivia for you. In late 1995 I lived in Katoomba. The people I lived with had a friend that I was introduced to that had broken into the coaster area and suffered severe leg injuries for which he was later paid a decent amount of compensation. The story goes he and a couple of mates had climbed on the tracks after security had tried to chased them out. Security then decided to turn on the coaster to scare them to jump down. He did not get down in time and was hit and his legs run over by the coaster. He required many surgeries to fix his legs and was heavily scared and still barely able to walk with arm crutches when I met him. I have no way to varify the story he told of how he was injured is true or not but many other friends of his confirmed that was how he was injured.
Yay. So happy you did something from Australia.
😃
Oh my gosh thank you so much for such a Beautiful AUS story 😊😊
Thank you!
This looks awesome ! love to ride this, in the dark !
Imagine if they rebuilt it as a scenic roller coaster. Sections where you quickly drop and dart around, and sections where you coast gently and admire breathtaking vistas.
I'd be down for that ride.
I'VE BEEN ON THAT RIDE AND IT IS BRILLIANT!!!
As an Australian, I hope nothing ever happens like that. The area is surrounded by National Park and is full of wildlife. Nothing would be scarier for them than a noisy rattling machine.
Boblo Island Amusement Park Ontario Canada. Was a great place growing up. Not sure what year it closed but must be in the early to mid 80s.
Where did you get the POV of Orphar rocker? I was looking for it for a long to=ime
Fantastic video!
What are those transitions? The banking starts yards before the turn.
Also, do the cars rock on their own due to momentum, or are they controlled by track elements??
This is too sad!! It looks like a great ride.
_Looping coaster 1 looks too intense for me_
This is one of the rarest credits out their.
As a lil 1980s Sydney kid I traveled to the Blue Mountains (at least once) every year for holidays and every year we'd go to Scenic World and every year I'd ask my father, "Has the Orphan Rocker opened yet, Dad?" and every year he'd answer something like "No, but it's almost finished, it should definitely be ready next year". It was LIES, LIES, ALL LIES!!!
Inappropriate for such a beautiful location. Noise was the bigger issue than safety.
Same deal as the ill fated new roller coaster at Luna Park. The neighbours including Penelope and Harry Seidler campaigned to have it removed. I replace the much noiser wooden roller coaster as one of the rides lost in the fatal Ghost Train Fire...
In those days the neighbours were office buildings replace by apartments...
WHOA. This is one of the most interesting abandon coaster stories ever. Does anyone actually have a cred for this one?!!?
Sad story, well told.
Thank you!
This is awesome. But I think the Incline Railway on Lookout Mountain Tn has the record for angle. The steepest part has a 72.2 degree incline
another fantastic history lesson.... who knew about this place ??? :-)
Most of australia
Expedition Theme Park Request: The History of Windjammer Surf Racers at Knott's Berry Farm!
I wonder about the history of Idlewild Park in Reno Nevada. I remember it having a theme park before becoming a literal park & garden.
Hazy memories of riding this as a child. Thank you for the video, it's great seeing old footage again.