#techyoclightninloops

[techycatartist]

Coastermaynia 2024 Day 31– Your Choice! (Lightnin’ Loops at Six Flags Great Adventure)

@coastermaynia

My third and final entry for this year’s Coastermaynia. The 31st has always been a “free space” for artists, allowing them to choose any coaster they want. In this case, I chose two! The original “interlocking loops” coaster(s), Lightinin’ Loops was Great Adventure’s first launch coaster. Though they would eventually be seperated and sent to other parks, the Lower “Blue” Loop still runs today as “Diamond Back” at Frontier City. Personality-wise, “Blue” was excitable and curious while “Red” was more level-headed and easygoing. They were known for throwing after-hour dance parties— ones where the spirit of Disco was kept alive.

There’s a short story that goes with this peice; click down here to view it!

Blue,

Today marks your re-birth day, and unfortunately one where we must spend it apart. It simply wasn’t in the cards for me. I will be sure to visit Frontier City in the coming weeks— I am not too familiar with it, but I appreciate the western charms it displays. It may take a while, but I believe you will find a home there.

It would be remiss of me to not inform you about your sister. Red was relocated to Wild World in Maryland and is going into her second season there. She goes by “Python” now and is dressed in blues. A lovely coincidence to see you two share a theme. I know you’ll find your way back to each other soon.

A year after your closures, a new-age “inverted” coaster was built. Cars hang under the track, but are fixed unlike XLR-8. It is themed to Batman, as the park is now owned by a movie studio. This year, they have opened a simulator ride. They are dead-set on making Great Adventure a “cinematic” experience, and it appears to be working. Though I miss you dearly, I am relieved to know that you and your sister remain operational. Don’t hesitate to visit when you have the chance.

In all the gifts I could’ve sent to you, I think nothing would be more meaningful than this. Keep it close, and cherish it forever.

Distance may separate us, but you will always be my daughter.

-Runaway Mine Train

(Oh, and for some context; RMT and the LL twins are not biologically related, but she views them as her daughters regardless)

[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”.