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Sand Blaster

Roller coaster in the United States
Watch the on-ride POV
Sand Blaster
Boardwalk Amusements
Location Daytona Beach, Florida, USA
Status Defunct
Operated August 3, 2013 to June 14, 2018
Blue Diamond Park
Location New Castle, Delaware, USA
Operated July 2, 2004 to 2007
DelGrosso's Amusement Park
Location Tipton, Pennsylvania, USA
Operated 1987 to 2003
Replaced by Crazy Mouse
Wild West World
Location Custer, South Dakota, USA
Operated 1984 to September 1, 1986
Legend City
Location Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Operated 1978 to 1983 or earlier
Adventureland
Location Addison, Illinois, USA
Operated 1975 to 1977
Statistics
Manufacturer Pinfari
Product Zyklon Z64
Type Steel
Track layout Zyklon / Galaxi
Riders per train 12
Propulsion Chain lift hill
Inversions 0

Sand Blaster was a steel roller coaster which has operated at six amusement parks. Its final location was Boardwalk Amusements in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA.

History

In the 1970s, this roller coaster began operation at Adventureland in Illinois. It was named Super Italian Bobs and operated alongside the smaller Italian Bobs roller coaster.

In 1978 the roller coaster opened as Sidewinder at Legend City in Arizona.[1]

The roller coaster opened in July 1984 at Wild West World in South Dakota.[2] It closed with the park on September 1, 1986. The following year, it reopened at Bland's Park (now called DelGrosso's Amusement Park) in Pennsylvania[3], where it operated until 2003. The spot where it stood is now home to the Crazy Mouse which opened in 2004.

Following a repaint, the ride reopened on July 2, 2004 at Blue Diamond Park in Delaware. Named Blue Diamond Streak, it was one of two roller coasters operating in the state, the other being Orient Express at the same park.[4] Blue Diamond Park closed after the 2007 season however the Blue Diamond Streak remained standing but not operating.[5]

The derailed train

The roller coaster was purchased by the owners of Boardwalk Amusements in January 2012 and immediately dismantled.[6] Problems with the refurbishment of the ride delayed its opening by a year, with the first members of the public riding on August 3, 2013.[7] Later that month, a grand opening was held with Florida governor Rick Scott who cut the ribbon.[8] In February 2017, the ride was closed down after state inspectors found multiple problems with the roller coaster including damaged braces and cracked supports.[9] It reopened in July of that year. Less than a year later, a major accident would occur on Sand Blaster. After this, the coaster was left standing but not operating once again. By the end of 2019, workers began to tear down the coaster.

Design

Blue track, galvanized supports.

Trains

3 cars per train. In each car, riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows, for a total of 12 riders per train.

Incident

On June 14, 2018 the front car on one of the trains completely derailed, bringing the train to a halt. Out of ten riders on the train six were taken to hospital, including two who fell 34 feet from the front car.[10]

References

  1. Brochure - Legend City
  2. Lead Daily Call from Lead, South Dakota · Page 4 - Newspapers.com
  3. "Bland gets ride". Altoona Mirror.
  4. Here come the rides at the new Blue Diamond Amusement Park - Delaware Online (Wayback archive)
  5. Delaware parks: Selling off the ups and downs - Delaware Online (Wayback archive)
  6. Roller coaster sold; ride will be installed in Florida - Delaware Online (Wayback archive)
  7. Sand Blaster roller coaster opens by the ocean - The Daytona Beach News-Journal
  8. Florida Governor opens Sand Blaster roller coaster in Daytona Beach Boardwalk - Attractions Magazine YouTube video
  9. Uncertain future facing Daytona Beach’s Boardwalk rides - The Daytona Beach News-Journal
  10. 2 riders plunge 3 stories in Daytona Beach roller coaster derailment - The Daytona Beach News-Journal

External links