Hersheypark Buys SFMM's Monorail Trains

(5/30/11) In a bit of a surprise, it seems Hersheypark struck a deal with Six Flags Magic Mountain to buy up the parks old Monorail Trains, which are said to be quiet similar to the one in use at Hersheypark. According to the report from TheCoasterGuy, the park will likely rehab two of the old trains for use at Hersheypark, and gut the third one for spare parts, which will give the park four complete trains to run for the future. Could an expansion of the monorail also be in the works down the line? You never know…

Ccron10 wrote:Screamscape:

(5/30/11) In a bit of a surprise, it seems Hersheypark struck a deal with Six Flags Magic Mountain to buy up the parks old Monorail Trains, which are said to be quiet similar to the one in use at Hersheypark. According to the report from TheCoasterGuy, the park will likely rehab two of the old trains for use at Hersheypark, and gut the third one for spare parts, which will give the park four complete trains to run for the future. Could an expansion of the monorail also be in the works down the line? You never know…

It's interesting that there have been rumors floating around about this happening for years and now it happens. Should be fun to see where it goes from here.

Photo from Negative-g.com

I posted an article a couple of weeks ago (here) that showed the Metro Monorail being removed from Six Flags Magic Mountain after sitting idle for ten years. Each train was hoisted from the guideway, secured onto a flatbed truck, and then hauled away into the night. Nobody really knew where they were going. Some diehard monorail fans were still holding out hope that they were being sent out to be rebuilt and that Six Flags was going to put them back into service one day. Others speculated they were being sold as parts to another company who had the same monorail, and others figured they may have been sold for scrap. Fortunately, the mystery has now been solved.
After a very long journey, through some very adverse weather, the former Metro Monorail has arrived safe and sound at its new home at Hersheypark, in Hershey, Pennsylvania:




Hersheypark has an identical, or at least very similar, monorail built in 1969 by the same manufacturer, Universal Mobility. Since that company went out of business long ago, I suspect that parts are few and far between. And when it comes to adding a new train, forget about it. Unless, of course, you can find some used ones that can be picked up dirt cheap. That's where Six Flags Magic Mountain comes in.

Hersheypark sent a team out to California last year to see what Magic Mountain had. After some negotiating, they struck a deal with Six Flags to take almost everything. For under $100,000, they got all three trains, all the spare parts, the fiberglass molds, the roller storage tracks, the small work car, and one section of track - the rotary switch. That price also included shipping, which ended up being more than they paid for everything else. The rotary switch will actually stay in place until Magic Mountain removes the rest of the guideway, but there is no ETA on that yet. Hersheypark had wanted to buy the entire guideway as well, but a cost analysis pegged that at around $1M by the time they cut it all out and shipped it back east. They figure it will be cheaper to simply build their own.

Hersheypark's monorail only has two stations, but one of them is no longer used. The second station was a stop at their chocolate factory for the tours, but they started using a simulated tour in 1973 and the monorail station was no longer needed. Today, their monorail is purely used as a ride, taking guests on a loop through the park and returning to the exact same place they started. Over the next couple of years, two of the former Six Flags trains will be completely refurbished and put into regular use. I'm guessing the third train will be used for parts. Hersheypark has been contemplating expanding their monorail and using it to move guests around the park, but there are no solid plans as of yet. I'm sure once they double their capacity with four working trains, they may take a more serious look at expanding their system.

As sad as it may be, I hope this information once and for all puts to rest the speculation of the monorail ever returning to Six Flags Magic Mountain. Now then, what can Six Flags Magic Mountain install to help people get around the park easier...

Hersheypark sent a team out to California last year to see what Magic Mountain had. After some negotiating, they struck a deal with Six Flags to take almost everything. For under $100,000, they got all three trains, all the spare parts, the fiberglass molds, the roller storage tracks, the small work car, and one section of track - the rotary switch. That price also included shipping, which ended up being more than they paid for everything else. The rotary switch will actually stay in place until Magic Mountain removes the rest of the guideway, but there is no ETA on that yet. Hersheypark had wanted to buy the entire guideway as well, but a cost analysis pegged that at around $1M by the time they cut it all out and shipped it back east. They figure it will be cheaper to simply build their own.

Ccron10 wrote:Here's an idea. Could RIT be the site to deal with Attraction 2012 while the La Marcus Bros. site be for the possible Monorail expansion?

CoasterBGW wrote:I just measured a few in Google Earth and they are more like 60-75 ft apart...

Magnum PA wrote:I think everyone is looking way too far into the monorail train purchase.

All anyone knows is that the park purchased SFMM's monorail trains for a dirt-cheap price.

But that is also what a park would do to buy spare parts that are hard to come by for a cheap price.

Magnum PA wrote:Expanding the monorail, especially a monorail that was rumored to be removed not long ago, would be a surprise to me.

Along with the removal rumors, there was talk of cutting out the old factory portion. Any expansion would likely involve removing that wasted portion, and expanded into another area of the park.

I think everyone is looking way too far into the monorail train purchase.

All anyone knows is that the park purchased SFMM's monorail trains for a dirt-cheap price.

Could that mean that they want to expand their current monorail? I suppose it's a possibility.

But that is also what a park would do to buy spare parts that are hard to come by for a cheap price.

HPCrazy wrote:They wouldn't have been interested in all of SFMM's track if they weren't considering on possibly expanding the system. Building a new line out to the north end with a new station would be cheaper because they don't have to invest in new trains. They can just give their two current trains a make-over to fit the new system, as well as refurbish and do the same to two of SFMM's old trains, utilizing the third train for spare parts. Perhaps if they overhaul the system, it probably wouldn't be too much of a headache to get new parts for it.

gb980109 wrote:

Magnum PA wrote:I think everyone is looking way too far into the monorail train purchase.

All anyone knows is that the park purchased SFMM's monorail trains for a dirt-cheap price.

But that is also what a park would do to buy spare parts that are hard to come by for a cheap price.

They bought 3 trains to use as spare parts for 2 trains? Seems completely unnecessary to buy all that when they've been able to use parts from the third train for years and years. And while yes, parks certainly do buy trains to use as parts, buying three trains for that purpose is completely unnecessary.

gb980109 wrote:

Magnum PA wrote:Expanding the monorail, especially a monorail that was rumored to be removed not long ago, would be a surprise to me.

Along with the removal rumors, there was talk of cutting out the old factory portion. Any expansion would likely involve removing that wasted portion, and expanded into another area of the park.

Those rumors about the Monorail being removed were quickly proven to be untrue. I've always heard that the park was doing what it could to avoid shutting down the Monorail, and even expand the Monorail.

Getting rid of the parking lot section of the Monorail would easily be for the best.

Magnum PA wrote:Like I said, they could expand it, but to where? Midway America? Where would they put a station? Where would they run the track? Seems like an awful lot of effort to expand a minimally popular ride.

Why would they want to transport people?

Magnum PA wrote:I think everyone is looking way too far into the monorail train purchase.

All anyone knows is that the park purchased SFMM's monorail trains for a dirt-cheap price.

But that is also what a park would do to buy spare parts that are hard to come by for a cheap price.

Magnum PA wrote:Why would they want to transport people? Unless it's being run to the Hotel Hershey, it doesn't make sense. You want people walking the midways, buying things and playing games. Transport them on a monorail and you lose those money-making opportunities. The monorail should strictly be for sight-seeing.

Wizzard33 wrote:Would you realy want to ride in a wet monorail?
The most this would do is take soaked people from the boardwalk back to the entrance gate.

Its bad engough at times with people being on farienheit wet.

Magnum PA wrote:
Like I said, they could expand it, but to where? Midway America? Where would they put a station? Where would they run the track? Seems like an awful lot of effort to expand a minimally popular ride.

Why would they want to transport people? Unless it's being run to the Hotel Hershey, it doesn't make sense. You want people walking the midways, buying things and playing games. Transport them on a monorail and you lose those money-making opportunities. The monorail should strictly be for sight-seeing.

gb980109 wrote:

Magnum PA wrote:Like I said, they could expand it, but to where? Midway America? Where would they put a station? Where would they run the track? Seems like an awful lot of effort to expand a minimally popular ride.

Why would they want to transport people?

Of course Midway America. I can think of several places. Where the ugly food trucks are by the Ferris Wheel, the Midway Fair Tent, even a catering area like Wildcat Catering (though that's far less likely an option). They could easily run the track over the midways, just like it is in Minetown and Music Box. It's just a single support.

gb980109 wrote: And, are you mad? The park had a transport ride, the Sky Ride, when it was half its size it is now. The park needs a transport ride to the Midway and has since the Midway opened. Eve the original purpose of the Monorail was to transport people, from downtown to the old Arena, just like the old Electric Railroad took you from downtown to the carousel on the far side of the baseball diamond, approximately near the drive in entrance of the park. It's silly to think that the park shouldn't have a transport ride.

warfelg wrote:I can tell you I'm 90% sure the monorail is either expanding or being re-routed to run more through the park than outside. I work in a township office in south-central Pa, and we have one of the most advanced historical preservation set of codes in all of Pa.

Lately, because of all the changes to HP, the park and Derry Township (the township that runs the park) have been seeking advice from us on the best practices for changing historical structures and areas. Nothing specific has been said but this much has been gathered through their clues:

-The park is quickly loosing space and wants to grow.
-They want HP to be exempt from the height barrier in general so future projects can be designed without having to file for a variance (in that case information has to be made public)
-They want to fundamentally alter historical parts of the park

I think all of this adds up to a larger park, with more tall rides (drop towers and other coasters), and changes to the monorail and the Comet. The Comet is only being altered for attraction 2012 to fit, but the monorail is going to be expanded to serve the whole park now and in the future. There is a vocal part of Derry Township that does not want to see the monorail altered no matter what, but the park believes it is in the long term benefit to 'revisit a people moving system in the park' (that's how it's been worded).

Anyways, I know that is long winded but in the end Hershey is doing everything it can to compete with the likes of Six Flags and Ceder Point and other like parks yet keep the charm that makes Hersheypark what it is today.

warfelg wrote:

-The park is quickly loosing space and wants to grow.
-They want HP to be exempt from the height barrier in general so future projects can be designed without having to file for a variance (in that case information has to be made public)
-They want to fundamentally alter historical parts of the park.

warfelg wrote:I think all of this adds up to a larger park, with more tall rides (drop towers and other coasters), and changes to the monorail and the Comet. The Comet is only being altered for attraction 2012 to fit, but the monorail is going to be expanded to serve the whole park now and in the future. There is a vocal part of Derry Township that does not want to see the monorail altered no matter what, but the park believes it is in the long term benefit to 'revisit a people moving system in the park' (that's how it's been worded).

Anyways, I know that is long winded but in the end Hershey is doing everything it can to compete with the likes of Six Flags and Ceder Point and other like parks yet keep the charm that makes Hersheypark what it is today.

Magnum PA wrote:I think that HE&R knows they need to expand the park in the not too distant future, and I'm sure many different options have been drawn up. It probably should have been done years ago, but they were afraid to pull the trigger due to the cost. Had they done it back then, we wouldn't be stuck with the Boardwalk where it is.

The park can't expand toward the old golf cousrse. Imagine walking from there to Lightning Racer. Hersheypark is already very "skinny". Any expansion should be to "widen" it. I think ideally, the easiest way to expand would be to demolish Hersheypark Arena, move the employee parking, and eventually demolish Hersheypark Stadium. Not that I'm a proponent of removing these older buildings, but logistically, it makes the most sense.

There has been talk for some time about a new entance to the park going in that general area, and it would make sense, considering it is right smack in the middle of the park. However, that would most likely mean the end of Tudor Square, Carrousel Circle and Rhineland - the most charming areas of Hersheypark. Can you imagine the Carrousel in a different part of the park? They'd have to move it to the new entrance, right?

The new entrance would be better equipped to handle the large crowds Hershey attracts. Guests would no longer have to chug up and down the hills at the park's current entrance. It would allow for waterpark goers to head directly to the left. Fahrenheit would now be at the front of the park.

Look at the major logistical changes that have taken place along these lines over the years:

- Giant Center is built, parking lots are greatly expanded.
- Golf course closes down.
- Museum moves to downtown Hershey.
- Waterpark takes over Midway America.

Add them all together, and you can kinda' see where they're headed.

I was inside the Arena not too long ago, maybe a little over a year. The place (pehaps purposefully?) is really falling into disrepair. The ceiling is falling apart and leaking, and it looked like it had been that way for a while. It's used for storage by the park. Two, maybe three people were ice skating. There is so much character in that place, but it's just a hollow shell of it's former self. I thought there was some sort of government protection or landmark status. But if it continues to fall into disrepair and is deemed unsafe, it will go away. I think HE&R wants it to go away. Most of the executives are outsiders anyway. They probably don't care about the building as much as the locals do. I'm sure it's on the chopping block, and it will probably be sooner than later. It will be sad to see it go. But let's face it, it's already been replaced by the Giant Center.

If Hersheypark Stadium eventually comes down (probably for additional parking), I can totally see a new stadium/outside concert venue being built in the old golf course area, near Giant Center. Then you would have the park on one side of the complex and the sports/music on the other.

As far as inside the park goes, now that Boardwalk is there, they need to continue to expand it. If there was a realistic way to move Lightning Racer, I'm sure they would do it, and I would be all for it. Look for Wild Mouse to move for sure in the next few years. With growing attendance from the waterpark and from Attraction 2012, I'm sure the hope is to generate enough revenue to bring the new entrance plans to fruition, within the next 5 years.

HPCrazy wrote:You also forgot to mention that moving the main entrance to the Claw area and away from Chocolate World isn't helping the situation any. Who feels like walking across the parking lot from Chocolate World to a new park entrance? Not unless they develop that whole parking lot, remove the arena and relocate the stadium to the other end of the complex. Then a new entrance would be a better solution.

Ccron10 wrote: Hate to burst your bubble, but I really don't think the Arena is going anywhere anytime soon and here's why:
- The Arena is a landmark I guess, but I'm not 100% sure if it's protected.
-Many departments consider it home. Rides, park operations, the warehouse, and I think even entertainment. There would be so many departments to move that it would be a hassle.
-The parking lot between the Service Center and Arena are for employees andthey would need a new parking lot for them.

Ccron10 wrote:Case and point, just because it isn't being used for any sporting events anymore doesn't mean it would be easy to just tear down and do away with it.
I do have to say though that the interior is very outdated and it kind of feels like stepping back in time when you go inside of it.

Magnum PA wrote:They are letting the Arena fall into disrepair. It's going away. It serves little purpose now, and the purpose it serves now can be replaced easily. It's not part of HE&R's future plans. In fact, it's in the way.

Magnum PA wrote:Remove the food stands? I guess they could, as they've already stripped Midway America of most of its charm. But I would be surprised if they just removed food outlets. Relocate them, maybe. If a station was to go there, where would the track run? Through Lightning Racer?

The Midway Fair Tent could be a location, but then they would have to run the track behind the Wildcat and Lightning Racer. Not very scenic. I doubt that.

There is no way they are removing a catering area for anything. They wouldn't even remove the Creekside catering area for the new roller coaster.

If the track was expanded to Midway America, how would it run outbound? Behind Storm Runner, Trailblazer and Lightning Racer? No. Right through Roller Soaker? No. Over top of the wave pool? No.

How would it return to the station? Behind Fahrenheit and Wildcat? No. Right over top of the midway? I guess they could, but that would be hideous. It just doesn't seem practical to me to expand the monorail to Midway America. There is no easy way to do it, that's for sure.

Magnum PA wrote:By "mad" you mean crazy, correct? No, I'm not - at least the last time I checked...

You make the error of comparing different eras in the amusement park industry. The old train was to actually bring people into the park (free admission back then).

The sky ride was built in the early 70's, correct? Removed in the late 80's. Part of the reason it was removed was the price of parts. But parts are still available, as the ride operates in another location today.

They also removed it partial because they decided it wasn't necessary anymore. Other parks have done the same thing. Transport rides just aren't really built anymore.

Magnum PA wrote:You really think Hersheypark cares if people have to walk to Midway America?

ChiefRedskin89 wrote:Have we not already established that the Arena is used in this argument before? Lebanon Valley uses it for hockey games, Shippensburg uses it for hockey games, Bears use it for practice, Music in the Park is held there, public skating, and many high school sports compititions that arn't big enough for the Giant Center are there. Apart from these it also has the historical aspect, 18 Calder Cup games, original home for the most sucessful AHL team, and it also was where Wilt scored the most points by a single player in an NBA game. I don't think the Arena is going anywhere.

HPCrazy wrote:Where is the Lumber Yard located? I thought when the park removed Canyon River Rapids that they moved the boats out there for the time being until they were sold.

warfelg wrote:My coworkers and I were talking about this issue and if the main entrance were to be relocated, I would put money on it being through the arena. The monorail station at the area then could play a big part in moving people to the extremes of the park quickly. Also the arena would be centrally located.

Ccron10 wrote:I think it's best to stop disputing if the Arena is going anywhere and if it's being used. Any posts doing so after this will be edited or removed.

warfelg wrote: In regards to everything dealing with the area, don't expect it to go away anytime soon...while not federally protected yet it's county and state registered as a historic place. But the way it was registered it can be internally altered, but the facade cannot be altered. Same goes for the museum and the stadium, so those three structures aren't going anywhere. All parts of the reason the acquiring the golf course was huge for HE&R.

My coworkers and I were talking about this issue and if the main entrance were to be relocated, I would put money on it being through the arena.

warfelg wrote: The monorail station at the area then could play a big part in moving people to the extremes of the park quickly. Also the arena would be centrally located.

Onto the part of the monorail and where it could be located, I think with the boardwalk going in we see just how much HP cares for the Midway, which I think is not at all. Other than the coasters and the Ferris wheel there is no attachment to the rides in that area. I could see some of them being taken out, or possibly moves to an expansion area to make room for the monorail.

warfelg wrote: It could also be routed through the middle of stormrunner and trailblazer up to near the greatbear, down to the new expansion, behind the comet though founders circle back up to the main station near the arena. By far the easiest route for the monorail expansion.

gb980109 wrote:
I think the Midway Fair Tent would be best saved for a small footprint roller coaster like a Zac Spin. If you reorganize that area, including removing the slides, that leaves enough room between the coaster and some food stands. With that area being right across from the Boardwalk, I just don't see an indoor restaurant going in there. I could totally see the Monorail track making its way through the Boardwalk midway into the area near Ferris Wheel where there's a station.

Magnum PA wrote:On the contrary, many parks that once had monorails and skyrides have gotten rid of them.

Parks don't build these people movers anymore because 1) they already have one, or 2) they've realized that money is made on the midways, and that's where they want their guests spending their time. It's common business sense to me. I don't understand why everyone here seems to have so much trouble with that concept.

Another thing to consider is what most park guests want to do on these rides? Do they really want to get off at the next station? Or would they rather stay on for the full ride and get off where they got on? To me it seems the majority wants to stay on for the whole ride.

gb980109 wrote: Because parks couldn't afford the maintenance cost. Not because they didn't want them as people movers.

gb980109 wrote: People at Hersheypark often complain about there not being a people mover. Hersheypark has been looking into a people mover to Midway America ever since the expansion happened out there. I know there have been several considerations, including having the Dry Gulch Railroad go out that way.

gb980109 wrote: Secondly, I wouldn't recommend you lecturing anyone on "common business sense."

Magnum PA wrote:I will say this - you are still confusing eras. Yes, the big parks all have skyrides and trains with multiple stops, but what you're still neglecting is the fact that those rides were all built in the 70's or earlier. Thinking back on all of the parks I've been too, I can't remember any that has a new sky ride or a new train, or even a new monorail. On the contrary, many parks that once had monorails and skyrides have gotten rid of them.

Parks don't build these people movers anymore because 1) they already have one, or 2) they've realized that money is made on the midways, and that's where they want their guests spending their time. It's common business sense to me. I don't understand why everyone here seems to have so much trouble with that concept.

Another thing to consider is what most park guests want to do on these rides? Do they really want to get off at the next station? Or would they rather stay on for the full ride and get off where they got on? To me it seems the majority wants to stay on for the whole ride.

HPCrazy wrote:
I really don't get why you don't understand this. For example, look at the Magic Kingdom at Disney World. It's the most visited theme park around. Having a train around the perimeter with multiple stations doesn't seem to hurt them financially. It doesn't prevent people from being on the midway spending their money on food, gifts and games. In fact, I know alot of people who are happy for it because it saves them time if they're at the back of the park and they want to leave, they can hop on the train and be deposited right at the park exit.

HPCrazy wrote: Cedar Point is another prime example....the last time I was there, I actually had to wait in a line to ride their skyride. Does it affect them money-wise on the midway? No. I've also seen plenty of people spending their money there on food, games and gifts. Will it continue to affect them. No. Does having a train in the back of the park affect this? No. I'm sure there are plenty of people who will agree that both rides really help, especially with a park of that size. If Hershey continues to grow, they will need some kind of people-moving system to get people through the park, because if the park eventually doubles in size, that's more walking, regardless if there are many hills or not.

HPCrazy wrote: If Hershey feels that an expanded monorail is necessary and will help with getting people around the park, they will try to find the best and most feasible way to make it happen. And will it affect their merchandise, food and games sales? No. They had a skyride, did it affect any of this? Probably not. People will still continue to spend their money regardless if there is a shuttle system within the park or not.

You guys need to think outside the box a little. If Hersheypark is successful in relocating the park entrance to the area north of the Arena, there is no walking issue, and no need for expanding any of their people mover rides. The train and monorail can stay as is. The Boardwalk would be just a short walk to the left. Comet Hollow would be a short walk to the right. Minetown would be just a short walk straight ahead.

I'm sure there is a relative handful of people, out of the millions that visit each year, that complain about having to walk so much. Or they complain about having to walk up and down Hersheypark's hilly terrain. Many are probably fat and out of shape too.