The Big Dipper will live!
Moderator: illinois
- violakat03
- Hyper Coaster Rider
- Posts: 511
- Joined: Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:25 pm
- Custom Title: dare-to-fly's other half
- Location: Dayton, OH
- Contact:
The Big Dipper will live!
We did it.
The Big Dipper has been saved.
woodpecker and I have been working very hard for the past few weeks, organizing logistics, finances, transfers, phone calls and at least 2,000 e-mails. Today it all paid off when the check reached the owner and he pronounced us the new owners. We have been having to keep everything secret at his and his agent's request in case the deal fell through, but today we were given clearance to announce it.
We are planning to carefully dismantle the coaster and move it into an indoor storage facility we already have arrangements with. We will be needing a lot of help with this project - donations in the form of money and services, volunteer labor, all manor of things.
For more information about this project, visit:
www.savethebigdipper.org
There will be an official press release within the next few days. I will be providing pictures as soon as I get them (I'm visiting the site this weekend) and will be running a blog on the website. So keep your eyes open for news, it will be coming fast from here out!!
The Big Dipper has been saved.
woodpecker and I have been working very hard for the past few weeks, organizing logistics, finances, transfers, phone calls and at least 2,000 e-mails. Today it all paid off when the check reached the owner and he pronounced us the new owners. We have been having to keep everything secret at his and his agent's request in case the deal fell through, but today we were given clearance to announce it.
We are planning to carefully dismantle the coaster and move it into an indoor storage facility we already have arrangements with. We will be needing a lot of help with this project - donations in the form of money and services, volunteer labor, all manor of things.
For more information about this project, visit:
www.savethebigdipper.org
There will be an official press release within the next few days. I will be providing pictures as soon as I get them (I'm visiting the site this weekend) and will be running a blog on the website. So keep your eyes open for news, it will be coming fast from here out!!
Current coaster count: 304
Check out my blog, all about crazy things I do. www.chasingthrills.com
Check out my blog, all about crazy things I do. www.chasingthrills.com
- beastbass
- Over 52"
- Posts: 169
- Joined: Thu Nov 26, 2009 12:44 pm
- Custom Title: Bass and bass may be spelled the same, but they're pronounced differently.
Re: The Big Dipper will live!
WOW! I'd love to try and get out there and help out with some volunteer work.
- illinois
- Hyper Coaster Rider
- Posts: 506
- Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 3:57 pm
- Custom Title: I want my BRT; Facebook is evil.
- Location: A flat and windy corn/soy field
Re: The Big Dipper will live!
Wow.
At least now we know what Nick will be building in his back yard.
-Mike
At least now we know what Nick will be building in his back yard.

- violakat03
- Hyper Coaster Rider
- Posts: 511
- Joined: Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:25 pm
- Custom Title: dare-to-fly's other half
- Location: Dayton, OH
- Contact:
Re: The Big Dipper will live!
Why does everyone assume we're putting it in Nick's backyard?
He's not sure it would fit anyway. It'd be a tight squeeze if it did.
To be serious though, we are considering a very wide variety of options right now for it's relocation. We're also always open to new suggestions - send your ideas to info@savethebigdipper.org

To be serious though, we are considering a very wide variety of options right now for it's relocation. We're also always open to new suggestions - send your ideas to info@savethebigdipper.org
Current coaster count: 304
Check out my blog, all about crazy things I do. www.chasingthrills.com
Check out my blog, all about crazy things I do. www.chasingthrills.com
- Paul Drabek
- Park Chain CEO
- Posts: 7872
- Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2006 2:07 pm
- Custom Title: Chief Coaster Nut!
- Location: Third rock from the sun. In the middle of nowhere.
- Contact:
Re: The Big Dipper will live!
Like I told Kat this is by far the coolest thing ever that has come about because of this little forum we have here. Kat and Woodpecker have some massive cahones and really stepped up to the plate and did what no one thought was possible. I owe both of you a beer when I see you.
So when does dismantling begin and when do you need Bond and I there? We have hammers and a minivan with plenty of storage space for whatever needs to be done.
Have Fun
Paul
So when does dismantling begin and when do you need Bond and I there? We have hammers and a minivan with plenty of storage space for whatever needs to be done.
Have Fun
Paul
Life is short....have fun!
- kidcoaster
- Park Management
- Posts: 1495
- Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2006 8:49 am
- Custom Title: FEAR IS GOOD
- Location: The Control Booth
- Contact:
- Gump
- Wood Coaster Rider
- Posts: 392
- Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 9:53 pm
- Custom Title: Park Management, Hey I'll get it one way or another.
- Location: Louisville, Ky
Re: The Big Dipper will live!
violakat03 wrote:We did it.
The Big Dipper has been saved.
woodpecker and I have been working very hard for the past few weeks, organizing logistics, finances, transfers, phone calls and at least 2,000 e-mails. Today it all paid off when the check reached the owner and he pronounced us the new owners. We have been having to keep everything secret at his and his agent's request in case the deal fell through, but today we were given clearance to announce it.
We are planning to carefully dismantle the coaster and move it into an indoor storage facility we already have arrangements with. We will be needing a lot of help with this project - donations in the form of money and services, volunteer labor, all manor of things.
For more information about this project, visit:
http://www.savethebigdipper.org
There will be an official press release within the next few days. I will be providing pictures as soon as I get them (I'm visiting the site this weekend) and will be running a blog on the website. So keep your eyes open for news, it will be coming fast from here out!!











- Gump
- Wood Coaster Rider
- Posts: 392
- Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 9:53 pm
- Custom Title: Park Management, Hey I'll get it one way or another.
- Location: Louisville, Ky
Re: The Big Dipper will live!
Please, please, please have a Negative G work day!!! That would rock! Wow I can't tell you how cool that is!






- violakat03
- Hyper Coaster Rider
- Posts: 511
- Joined: Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:25 pm
- Custom Title: dare-to-fly's other half
- Location: Dayton, OH
- Contact:
Re: The Big Dipper will live!
First news story! From a Cleveland TV station.
http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_art ... 90&catid=3
http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_art ... 90&catid=3
Current coaster count: 304
Check out my blog, all about crazy things I do. www.chasingthrills.com
Check out my blog, all about crazy things I do. www.chasingthrills.com
Re: The Big Dipper will live!
Magic.Gump wrote:How did you pull that off?

As Kat said, with a lot of hard work (on both sides) and a lot of luck. I must congratulate Kat publicly -- she came up with some excellent ideas, and I owe her a lot of credit. It's been great to have her work with me, especially as my geographic location means I am somewhat limited in what I can achieve on my own. In fact none of this would have happened without her thread, "Big Dipper will meet a sad end". Kat, if you weren't so far away I would be hugging you right now. WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Most of the updates will be on our website, and if you wish to donate financially, Kat has set up a system for handling paypal payments. We are working on cheques and other forms of money. It is going to take a while, but at least success is now within reach.
Paul, and everyone here, I must thank you guys too for this wonderful forum. Small as it is, it has achieved something great. Cheers !

- BobbalishBobbus
- Over 48"
- Posts: 77
- Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 11:39 pm
- Contact:
Re: The Big Dipper will live!
wooooow....I dont even know how to react right now!!! I never expected this incredibly amazing news. I'm gonna be bouncing off the walls for the rest of the night!
Kat, I live about 45 - 60 minutes away from Geauga Lake, if there is anything I can do to help don't hesitate to ask. I totally support the idea of a Negative G work day lol.
Other than that...congrats, good work!, way to go!, thank you thank you, and so on!
Kat, I live about 45 - 60 minutes away from Geauga Lake, if there is anything I can do to help don't hesitate to ask. I totally support the idea of a Negative G work day lol.
Other than that...congrats, good work!, way to go!, thank you thank you, and so on!
Vern vern vern vern
- Waterboy
- Ride Operator
- Posts: 714
- Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:09 pm
- Custom Title: Make me WET!
- Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
- Contact:
Re: The Big Dipper will live!
This is wonderful. I grew up riding TBD and this is so exciting. Excellent work guys.
Brian
Brian

- OrangeWhip
- Wood Coaster Rider
- Posts: 361
- Joined: Sun Aug 27, 2006 5:43 am
- Location: Dayton, Ohio
- Contact:
Re: The Big Dipper will live!
This is great news! a -G deconstruction day would be pretty awesome.
Way to go, you two!
Way to go, you two!
- Tour2ma
- Kiddie Rider
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Thu Jun 01, 2006 1:03 am
- Custom Title: Just lookin' for one more Nickel-Night reride...
- Location: Tejas
Re: The Big Dipper will live!
You mean The Clipper, right?Waterboy wrote:I grew up riding TBD...

I caught a few last rides during its last summer of operation at GL. Some memories are worth preserving.
Well done Kat & WP...
Paul,
IMO it'd be a great addition to the HW family of coasters.
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