#techyocRMinetrain

[techycatartist]

Memories of Christmas Past

RMT is a very sentimental person— to the point where she has several photo albums that are completely full. If it’s someone’s first Christmas at the park, she has to preserve that memory in a photograph (or two…or more). Though seeing these photos makes her weep, she couldn’t help but look anyways.

After all, the first Christmas without a loved one is always the hardest.

[Oh, and for those who are wondering why that red dress and the name Stella are significant; At Kentucky Kingdom (GL’s original park), there was a dueling wooden coaster named Twisted Twins (initially Twisted Sisters). Each side was given a name— “Stella” for one, and “Lola” for the other. In a rare instance of a park personifying their coasters, Stella and Lola can be seen here on this shirt;

(Image Credit to @/AirtimeMisfits on Twitter and Instagram)

In my coaster personification-verse, Green Lantern (then known as Chang) had an unrequited crush on Stella. When GL was relocated, she found out that Twisted Twins (and KK as a whole) had been abandoned— and the coaster wouldn’t re-open, as it would eventually become Storm Chaser (who is their own personification as a result of being built on the combined structure of TT). GL never confessed her feelings to Stella, as she was worried about how her parkmates would react upon realizing that she was attracted to women. Though she had been distant to her Great Adventure parkmates during her first season, RMT managed to get GL to open up about her homesickness. Through this talk, RMT learned how important Stella was to GL (particularly how she had a “pretty red dress”). RMT knew what she had to get GL for Christmas that year— and when GL opened her gift, she knew that this park would accept her for who she was.]

[techycatartist]

Sandy slept soundly, their hand gripping a blanket— Shellraiser’s jacket— as he floated towards them.

“Thank goodness…they’re still here”, he quietly remarked.

“The things I would’ve done if you had vanished…”

He glanced at the front of the Charging Station.

“I wouldn’t have been willing to come back as myself”.

Shellraiser places his right hand on the Charging Station.

“How do we get out of here?, he thought.

Sandy began pulling their hands away from each other. Cracks quickly appeared from the incision they had made.

“C’mon…!”

A jagged hole emerged from the gap between their knuckles; light shone from within, a faint movement present.

Sandy‘s body trembled due to the pressure, but they soldiered on.

“The fact that they were able to break the barrier at all is commendable…but to be able to do so as it becomes stronger and stronger…shows their determination”.

Shellraiser looks down at his arms— visibly toned as a result of all the exercise he partakes in.

“Sandy isn’t strong enough to do this on their own, but if I were to help…”

Shellraiser’s confidence fades.

“…I would be a massive hypocrite”.

He sighs, leaning up against the side of the Charging Station.

“I stand by what I said to Sandy— their misguided desires, the unknown danger of it all…how it was different from me replicating their actions to find where they had gone”.

Shellraiser felt his mask sag; he swiftly brought his hands to the back of his hair, untying the knot.

“But do I really have another choice?!”

Shellraiser gripped his mask.

“At worst, we’ll die if we go through that Charging Station”.

Shellraiser brought his mask up to his face, making sure to perfectly align the slots for his eyes.

“It could wipe our identities away, or even mash us together as it “creates” a Coasterdroid for this coaster…”

Shellraiser brought the ends behind his head, twisting them together.

“…or it could leave us alone— and lead us back home”.

Shellraiser finished the knot, pulling it tightly.

“I can’t appeal to Sandy like I had tried to dissuade them”.

He swam up, just in time to see Sandy begin to stir awake.

“So I’ll have to try something else”.

Sandy stretched out of their sleep.

“Hm…?”

They noticed Shellraiser’s jacket.

“Did you give this to me?”

Shellraiser smiled; “Yes”.

“…Thank you”.

Sandy gently handed back the jacket to Shellraiser.

Shellraiser took a breath. “So. I’ve had some time to think about some things, and…”

Sandy tensed up.

“I’ve decided to join you in breaking and entering this Charging Station”.

Sandy’s eyes widened, the shock kicking the tenseness out of them.

“What?!”

“Yes, despite my status as the park’s signature coaster, there are many things about myself that I don’t like— that pothole is a particular bother for me. I know I was quick to criticize your way of thinking, but I was only thinking of the negative outcomes”.

“Hey, you know you don’t have to do this because I am, right? I mean, you’re Shellraiser, the steepest roller coaster in the world! I like seeing you as a Gerstlauer Eurofighter, as Takabisha’s twin! Besides, your coaster’s way more reliable than mine…”

“I’m honored by your praise, but this is what I’ve decided for myself— just like you have”.

“Oh…okay then”.

“Don’t worry”.

Shellraiser extended his hand.

“I’ll be with you the entire time”.

Sandy looked away, grabbing their shoulder.

“Okay”.

Sandy returned the hand-shake.

“We’ll do this together”.

Sandy stood in front of the Charging Station, glancing up and down at it.

“You can start it, Sandy. I’ll jump in right after”.

Sandy extended their fingers, holding their hand vertically as they pulled their arm back.

Suddenly, their arm thrusted forward, slicing right through the front. Sandy quickly repeated their actions, bringing their other hand inside the Charging Station. Then, they began to pull their hands away from each other— and a hole began to form.

“Okay…you can help me now!”, they requested. The Charging Station began to drone back at them, a low hum returning to the soundscape.

Shellraiser maneuvered his arms over Sandy’s shoulders, tightly gripping the sides of the broken barrier.

“You pull down, I pull up, OK?”

Sandy gave an affirmative “Mmph!”, placing their feet on the bottom edge of the Charging Station.

Shellraiser immediately felt the power of the barrier as he pulled, electricity blipping through his fingers— though it wasn’t enough to stop him.

“It’s working!”, Sandy exclaimed in-between huffs.

The gap had quickly expanded above Shellraiser’s head, and was currently making its way past his chest. Shellraiser could hear the “conversation” again, echoing from within.

“C’mon Sandy…show me how strong you are!”

“I’m trying!” Sandy could feel their muscles scream in pain. “I don’t exactly have “breaking-through-a-barrier” arms!”

“Then let me help you!”

Shellraiser pulled his right hand off the gap’s jagged edge…only for it to begin reforming. He yelped, quickly reversing his decision.

“Sandy…I can’t move my hands away without undoing my efforts— you must do this on your own!”

Sandy let out a frustrated yell. “Maybe we should’ve swapped directions!”

Sandy flipped themselves around, keeping their hands on the gap. Their back was now grazing the inside of the Charging Station, briefly letting go to reposition their arms.

“That’s it— tilt your head back slightly, it’ll give you more leverage!”

Sandy was breathing heavily; “I’m not sure how much longer I can do this…we might just have to crawl our way to freedom, Shellraiser!”

Shellraiser analyzed their progress— and was hit with an idea.

“USE YOUR LEGS!”

Sandy looked down at their feet; “Shellraiser, you’re a genius!” Sandy pulled their legs away from the surface of the Charging Station, scrunching their body up as they placed the edge of their heels on the gap.

As soon as Sandy began to push down, pain shot through their legs. They yelled out in surprise; “My everything is burning!”

“Push through it, Sandy— you’re making progress!”

At this point, the barrier had moved past Shellraiser’s stomach; Sandy gasped at the size of the gap.

“I think it’s almost enough for us to climb through! Though, you might need to crouch down, Shellraiser.”

“It’s ok, just keep pushing down!”

Sandy began to shuffle their feet into the gap, trying not to lose their grip…or balance.

“C’mon…”

Every movement was strenuous, no matter how little it was— but they were making progress.

“C’mon…!”

Their feet began to tilt towards the inside.

“I’ve...”

Using every ounce of strength they could muster. Sandy nudged their feet forward.

“…got it!”

Sandy placed their heels firmly on the edge of the Charging Station….and felt electricity pulse through their body.

All Sandy could do was gasp.

Pushed back by the force of their launch, Sandy slammed the back of their head right into Shellraiser, who let out a pained grunt.

Everything went black.

The momentum carried them forward, ripping them away from the Charging Station.

It quickly closed, looking no worse for wear.

Shellraiser and Sandy tumbled through the void, unaware of where or when they’d stop.

“Attention, loyal subjects!” A woman’s voice crackled over an aging P.A. system. “Dutch Wonderland, the kingdom for kids, is now open! Once you make your way through the entrance, we’ll check your ticket— and the fun can begin! All patrons are subject to a security check before entering…”

“We’re here”.

RMT looked down at Slime Streak, holding her hand as the two walked past the entrance.

“I understand why you’d want a change of scenery, but you’ll always be welcome at Great Adventure if you ever want to come back”.

Slime Streak gave a small nod in response.

RMT sighed; she hated seeing Slime Streak like this. “They’re going to come back, dear. I just know it”.

Slime Streak turned away from RMT.

“…and if you can’t reach Shredder or Timmy, call me. I’ll get here as quickly as possible. Though I’m sure this is nothing a queen can’t handle!”

“Thanks, Miss Mine Train”, Kingdom Coaster replied. “Though I must say…it’s unfortunate that your 50th anniversary isn’t going too well”.

“It’s not what we would’ve wanted, but we’re making the best of it— though with how silent they’ve been with Flash, I fear that they’ll be delayed…”

“I wonder if the merger messed things up?”

“Well, it hasn’t actually been finalized yet”.

“Maybe it’ll help things, then”.

“That’s our hope. I’d say they should fix the Skyride, but perhaps the company should help the park finish our current refurbishment projects before we start another one. Though I would like to see it run again someday…”

Slime Streak sat off to the side, watching the two converse— but not actually paying attention to what they were saying.

“YOU THERE!”

Slime Streak jumped as a lance poked into her line of sight. She quickly got up from her seat, turning towards the voice.

“I understand that our queen has graciously allowed you sanctuary within the walls of our kingdom, correct?”

“Yes…?”

“Though I admire her generosity, I must notify you that any attempts to harm the queen or her royal mage will be met with physical resistance, courtesy of me— Sir Joust! It is my duty to guard their lives, and as someone trained in the art of the blade— and with Mayhem at my side— don’t even think about fighting back! Do you understand?”

Slime Streak was unimpressed, sitting back down; “Sure, I guess…”

Joust lowered his lance; “Aw, c’mon! You’re supposed to quiver in fear at my awesomeness! It’s no fun if you don’t play along…”

“I don’t feel like playing along, Joust”.

“Why not?”

Slime Streak sighed; “My best friend is missing”.

“Oh…”

Joust sat down next to her.

“Apparently Sandy got stuck inside their Charging Station, and that led to Shellraiser to go inside his to find them”.

“So he’s missing too?”

Slime Streak nodded sadly.

“Oh. That’s bad”.

“It is. It makes me feel…ultra sad. Like, sadder than when you scrape your knee or drop your ice cream. It’s a sadness that doesn’t go away”.

“…Could you make it go away?”

“Well, that’s why I’m here. I needed a break from living in New Jersey. That’s where my sadness originated”.

“Then maybe Pennsylvania will bring you some happiness!”

“I hope so, Joust. I really do”.

[techycatartist]

Happy National Rollercoaster Day!

On this day in 2019, I showcased my Great Adventure personifications to the public for the very first time. This drawing served as a “preview” for these personifications, with their full character designs being revealed the following year. But with two new coasters and two re-themes occurring since then, I figured that this was the perfect time to remaster it! Also, you could consider this a “part two” to my Great Adventure 50th anniversary drawing— I wanted to include everyone in the festivities!

While you’re all familiar with most of these faces, there’s a new girl in town— my personification for The Flash: Vertical Velocity! Though it’s unfortunate that her coaster got delayed until next year, I’m happy that it’s at Great Adventure and can’t wait to ride it. I think Flash will be a real “sleeper hit” amongst the stacked new-for-2025 coaster lineup.

Out of all the parks I’ve personified, I’ve invested the most time and effort into Great Adventure’s— and wouldn’t have it any other way.

(Also, a remaster of the “Defunct/Relocated/Repainted SFGAd personifications” drawing will be coming soon!)

[techycatartist]

Happy 50th Anniversary, Great Adventure! No matter how many parks I’ll visit in the future, it will always hold a special place in my heart.

Great Adventure opened its gates on July 1st, 1974. But as detailed by Great Adventure History, the western-themed section of the park (known today as “Frontier Adventures”) and the Safari weren’t ready to make their debut— July 4th would be the first day that visitors could experience everything the park had to offer. This included Runaway Mine Train, which stands as one of the last remaining “opening day” attractions.

I was inspired by the “Lion Sign”, which greeted cars as they drove into the park during Great Adventure’s first few seasons. Given that it’s her coaster’s birthday too, I figured that RMT would be the most fitting to hoist up the banner. She and the rest of my Great Adventure personifications embody my attachment to and love for this park. Here’s to 50– and on to the next!

Special thanks to Great Adventure History for curating such a wonderfully-presented and highly informative website. In addition to having several photos of the Lion Sign that I referenced for this piece, it has taught me so much about this park— everything about their roller coasters…and more!

Even if you’ve never been to the park, I implore you to visit their website;

[techycatartist]

For her birthday, Runaway Mine Train’s cake is a replica of “The Fort”, the building that houses her coaster and the Skyway. She cries tears of joy upon seeing it, even hesitating to cut a slice. Of course, RMT makes sure it’s photographed from several angles— so that she can add them to her ever-expanding photo album.

[techycatartist]

“…Medusa was closed for a bit, but they re-opened a few days ago. Other than that, we’re holding up well”.

“Huh. How unusual; B&Ms doesn’t usually have that level of downtime”.

“True, but it seems that this park has been struggling to keep all of our coasters up at once”.

“I do wonder why that is, but those humans are keeping that knowledge away from us Coasterdroids…”.

“So, how have things been for you and your parkmates”?

“Oh, the usual; a park like ours doesn’t see much change. But I hear that there’s a new coaster going to Great Adventure?”

“Well, we don’t know for sure— though it’s what we’re hoping for”.

Runaway Mine Train flipped through a photo album, which had slowly accumulated into a dense block of memories.

“It’s the 50th, right? If I were the park president, a new coaster would be the first thing I’d search for. Humans love celebrating anniversaries— and you guys would have someone new to form a bond with”.

“Yes, and I would be more than happy to help them navigate those first few weeks of life. No matter how long you stay at Great Adventure, you are always part of our family”.

Runaway Mine Train found what she was looking for; photos taken during 1984.

“I’ll be sure to visit the park next season— I might’ve been living here since 1994, but could never leave my original park behind. Even if most of it is quite unrecognizable…”

“But you never really forget what was there”.

“Yeah”.

She pulls a photo from within one of the translucent “pockets” of the page.

“Are you reading something, RMT?”

“Hm? Oh, no. I’m looking through my photo album”.

“Ah, the famous album. How heavy is it?”

“A bit too much. It may be time to split this into volumes one and two”.

“Have I caught you reminiscing again?”

“In a way, yes…”

There was a saddness to RMT’s words.

“Diamond Back…you’re aware of the news, right?”

“Yes. I can’t say that it wasn’t expected, unfortunately”.

Contained within the photo was Sarajevo Bobsleds, a fews days after their coaster opened; they had eagerly flashed a grin at the camera.

“Their coaster was closed so often that the park would preemptively list it as “closed for the day” to avoid disappointing their guests, even if it did manage to open that day. Their physical health has been on the decline for years at this point. At least we were given a month’s notice; better than some of the others…”

“I was thinking we stay with them for their last week, but I want to know if you can make it then”.

“I should be able to”.

“Good to hear”.

Runaway Mine Train skipped past a large portion of the album, now examing photos from the past few years.

RMT was standing behind Alpine Bobsled, who was leaning on her for support. Their smile carried a subtle sense of pain.

She pulled the photo out, placing it beside the first one.

RMT sighed.

“Thirty-nine years is a long time, especially for a steel coaster. Heck, I still can’t believe that my coaster’s turning 50 next year. Though I will say…I have been feeling “50” for a while. There’s a reason why Arrow Dynamics went out of buisness all those years ago…”

RMT placed the photos into one of the many unsold photo frames she had collected over the years; it was a temporary home for what would be another addition to her “memorial”.

“But the hardest thing a mother can do is watch her child die, no matter when it happens”.

There’s a pause.

“I’m greatful to have lived this long, to make it to the park’s 50th anniversary. To see how Great Adventure has persisted through numerous harships makes me optimistic about our future— even if I it’s likely I won’t be around for the next 50 years”.

“Still, longevity has its costs”.

[techycatartist]

Medusa glanced at her coaster, still sitting idly. Runaway Mine Train stood beside them.

“Two weeks until this area of the park re-opens… at least, that’s what we’ve been told will happen”.

“I’m sure the park will have found enough staff by then. Memorial Day weekend has always been a big time for us, and all those students and international workers would’ve been ready to work”.

“And Opening Day isn’t?”

“No, but the humans should know to not expect everything to be open”.

“Yeah, but that’s to things like food stands and park entertainment. Not what amounts to basically half the coaster line-up. What was different this year? This park has been through economic resessions, tourism crashes, parent company bankruptcy, managerial shifts, and a global pandemic. Out of the 49 seasons Great Adventure has been open…why is this the first time the park has done something like this?”

Medusa was hurt by the park’s decision not to open her coaster in time for opening day. To tout her coaster around one season as a “new experience” only to push its opening back because it was seemingly “unimportant” felt like betrayal.

“Never once has this park felt so incompetent”.

“But we’re getting better as the season goes on. Is that not a sign of things to come?”

Medusa looks at Runaway Mine Train.

“Sure, if you believe it”.

“Then maybe you should start believing in our future. Our 50th anniversary is next year, and I hope that this park will continue to operate for another half-century”.

Medusa thinks about RMT’s advice.

“I guess if the park bothered to refurbish my coaster in the first place, they still think I have some merit. That goes for all of us, since everyone’s still here after the off-season. But I guess it could be a lot worse, for all of us. I’m glad to have stuck around— and for everyone to have stuck around with me”.

Toro’s coaster sits ildly.

“…And despite all my grievances, I’m not in the least-favorable situation around here”.

[techycatartist]

We’re back with some art! I was in the mood to draw some chibis. Of course, you’re all familiar with my El Toro personification, but I wanted to shine the spotlight on Runaway Mine Train. While I’ve featured her in some stories, she hasn’t received any art beyond her character profile— until now!

As much as RMT cares for her fellow parkmates, she has a tendency to approach their concerns with the same overbearing technique. Though it works in some situations, it can cause friction between her and whomever she’s concerned with— something that’s compounded by Toro’s stubborn nature. But in most cases, the resulting friction goes away with time.

[techycatartist]

(NOTE: This story follows-up on some events from “Red-Tagged”. I suggest you head over to my Toyhouse & read that first, as it provides more context).

Toro sat motionless at the foot of the structure. By this point, dense vegetation had obscured most of it. It was only a matter of time before the park cleared what was left.

Still, there were other remnants. A maintenance shed— now used to store Ka’s, RMT’s, and Toro’s trains during the off-season. Queue railings— repurposed for El Diablo, only for that ride to be shipped off to another park after just four years. Footers— chipped down to ground level. A wooden structure— standing over a fence, trying to beckon visitors to step through the entrance.

It had no idea that the ride it was made for had closed years ago.

The forecasts had predicted thunderstorms in the area today, but Great Adventure was at the point of the season where they were past daily operations— the park wouldn’t open until six.

Toro focused on his breathing, even as the wind picked up around him.

A clap of thunder reverberated in his ears.

Looking up at the sky, he felt the cold touch of raindrops on his face.

“I can hear you”.

The rain picked up. Though Toro normally hated when his hair was exposed to the elements— he had an intensive morning routine for a reason— it didn’t matter right now.

Today was the 10th anniversary of Rolling Thunder’s death— and it had been almost six months since he had moved on.

Rolling Thunder was truly gone.

“I’m doing well”.

Another clap of thunder echoed through the area.

“Seems like you’re doing well, too”.

Lightning flashed in the distance.

Toro didn’t say much after that, letting the weather carry on the rest of the conversation.

Gradually, the thunder became quieter, the rain lighter.

“It’s been nice talking with you, Thunder”.

Eventually, the rain stopped.

“See you next year”.

RMT sat across from Toro, holding a framed photo.

“They had one last request from us. They wanted to be buried with that Bobcat plushie”.

“The one from the teasers…”

“Alpine was so exicted to learn about Bobcat, even if they wouldn’t get the chance to meet them. Holding that plush in their hands…it was to leave this world knowing that someone would carry on their legacy. Maybe not in the traditional sense, but Bobcat will entertain the humans all the same”.

Toro mused about that last part.

“Toro?”

There was a pause.

“You know something, RMT?”

“Yes?”

Toro took a deep breath.

“Today makes it ten years since Rolling Thunder died. In the months following, I didn’t want to believe he was gone— and then I found his spirit. It was like he had never left. But…I knew it couldn’t last. Even if I didn’t want to admit it”.

“There was also the fact that, even with that drop tower and super-loop, Great Adventure didn’t really replace RT. I was angry at first— “They killed my brother, and for what?!” The fact that so little of his coaster’s plot of land was used for that queue line…they knew exactly what they were doing”.

“As years passed and that plot of land continued to lay vacant, I began to feel…possessive. I don’t want anything to replace Thunder,” I thought. “That spot belongs to HIM, and him alone. It’s a memorial. His home. It’s….what I had left”.

“But now, he’s gone. He has been”.

There’s a pause.

“I don’t know when Great Adventure will do something with that land. Given that Flash is on their way, it’ll be at least a couple of years before we get another coaster”.

“…but you’re ready for someone to carry on Rolling Thunder’s legacy?”

Toro smiled at RMT.

“Yeah. I’m ready for someone to carry on his legacy”.

[techycatartist]

“Let’s go to a quieter space, okay?”

Lil’ Devil Coaster followed RMT as the two walked past the entrance for Frontier Adventures, an area of the park which had only recently opened for the 2023 season— a first for the park, but a worrying sign for a possible new trend.

While lack of staffing is what kept RMT’s coaster from opening for nearly two months, no explanation was given for why Lil’ Devil Coaster fell into the category of “Coasters not ready in time for Opening Day”. While most coasters who were included in said category were open by this point, Lil’ Devil Coaster continued to lay dormant. The only recent change was an added photo op that depicted the ride’s mascot waving a white flag while crying— those whom ride the coaster for the first time have “beaten” it.

Perhaps as a result of this unplanned extended closure (or just as a mere coincidence), Lil’ Devil Coaster has been under the weather for a few days by this point. In wanting to present him with a different environment, RMT offered to take him to different part of the park.

On their way, RMT passed the wooden “fort” that housed her coaster’s station— and one of two stations for the Skyway, which unfortunately missed it’s intial re-opening date. The colorful cars that once carried dozens of visitors at a time had vanished without explanation— and the ride was no longer listed on the park’s website.

“Please tell me this is only temporary”, she thought.

RMT pushed open the door of the building, a sudden woosh of air conditioning reminding her of the hot temperatures to come as the season goes on. “You won’t have to worry about the heat in here, dear”. Lil’ Devil Coaster looks up at her.

While mostly nonverbal, Lil’ Devil Coaster was most comfortable speaking to RMT— while considering herself as the “mother” of all the Coasterdroids of Great Adventure, it was especially true for Lil’ Devil Coaster, who was most often seen at her side.

Lil’ Devil Coaster looked away from her, taking a good look at his surroundings. He then stuck his hand out and pointed at a statue situated in the middle of the room.

“Best of the West!”

Lil’ Devil Coaster looked back at RMT.

“It’s Best of the West!”

RMT gave a look conveying her understanding of his naïveté, yet conveyed her sense of sadness.

“Yes dear…this was Best of the West”.

RMT watched as Lil’ Devil Coaster went over to lie on a chair, taking in the park’s “new” lounge area.