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Trip Report - Meet in the Park 2009 @ Funland, Hayling Island
Just before 10:00 on a nice warm sunny September morning, members started arriving in the Beach car park at Funland in Hayling Island for a casual "Meet in the Park" day. Noone really knew how many people would turn up, or who, but either way with the weather as good as it was and the promise of a behind-the-scenes tour, we were expectant of a good day ahead. The Carousel Cafe was open, so a bacon bap and a cup of coffee later, it was 10:00 and time to get started!
At 10:00 the group headed over to the Klondike coaster. A fond favorite of many members from the days when it was at Drayton Manor, and today a chance to see a bit more of it during our-behind-the-scenes tour.To start with we were led by Marshall Hill, one of the owners of Funland, and a member of the RCCGB across the platform of the Klondike and down to brake run just outside the station. Marshall explained to the group some of the design features of the Klondike cars and ran through all the saftey checks they make on a daily basis. Following that, we progressed into the centre of the coaster's operating area where the group was able to get some good pictures of the coaster from rare positions and angles that are normally not available. With everyone in the centre of the area and safely away from any running track, we were treated to one empty run of the coaster with us right in the middle of it!
Following the coaster run, we all headed back to the station, and through the operators path to the boarding platform. 6 people at a time, we were then treated to a walk up to the top of the lifthill area to see the ride and take pictures from another rare position! After the group had all had their turn at the top, we headed over to the drop tower for another rare opportunity to climb to the top!
By the time I arrived at the drop tower some members were already half way up. Not everyone took up this opportunity. A few had done it before, and others wern't too sure about the height. Some overcame their fears and made the climb to the top. It was quite hard work negotiating 7 tiers of vertical steel ladders, but at the top the reward of a personal achievement, views of the park, and the satisfaction of having climbed a drop tower more than compensated for the effort. With 11:00 fast approaching and the need to get the ride open we all headed down again.The last part of our behind-the-scenes tour was a trip into the workshop. In there was the second Klondike train which had been recently removed for it's regualr maintenance. Marshall again explained how the trains are stripped down completly and checked for structural integrity and safety. With the tour over, it was time to get to do some riding. So we all got our wristdands for the RCCGB discounted price of £5 and got stuck in.
First we did a take over of Woody's Childrens Roller Coaster. This was to witness Thomas who is nearly 5 years old, ride his 60th coaster! Following that the group went round the park taking over various rides including the Log Flume, Klondike, Super Dragon, Tornado, Drop Tower etc. At 13:00 we stopped briefly for lunch. Some went to the pub down the road, the others met in the restaurant with food. At 14:00 it was time for the Rounders game. Woodies v Steelies. This was good fun, and of course the Woodies won the match, even though the Steelies team were doing their best to cheat!! :-)
With the game over, some people headed home, others back onto the park for more riding until it was time to leave. 40 people in total turned up for the day, and a great time with great weather was had by all! Many thanks to Marshall Hill and all the staff at Funland, for such an excellent day. See you all at Loopathon!
Below are some of the pictures from the trip. There are 43 in total, and if you use the slideshow feature, you will see all of them that are not thumbnailed below!
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| Marshall explains the Klondike daily maintenance routine | Group in the Klondike ride area | Rare photo opportunity! | Stevie B thinking he's in some Hollywood film? | Group get to photograph the ride in action! |
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| Klondike and the Drop Tower | Group line up to walk the lift hill! | Here we go! | Nearly there - what a view | Bottom of the Drop tower as members start the climb |
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| Klondike from the top of the Drop Tower | Time to head down again! | Marshall explaining the maintenance | Thomas's 60th Coaster! | Woody's Coaster take-over |
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| 3 Large Men + Log Flume = Sink! | Tornado take-over | Klondike take-over | Nev's tries or organise Rounders | Bumper Cars take-over |
