Not sure where to post this so I thought I would drop it here. I'm sure many forumites have ridden the Dorney Park Zepher.
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Chuck, Fascinating article. I know the train was "home grown", but did not know all the details. Here is a picture from when I worked in the park.
Chris
LVHR
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IMHO, Knoebel's beats the "Purple people eater" all hollow, they have two trains, one a "real" steam loco and an E unit type that is around the pool and through the woods. I am overdue for a Knoebels experience, before it floods again.
I always loved the Dorney Park Zephyr! Rode it many times as a kid. The story is an interesting one and a testament to the skill of those old world craftsmen.
You would think that by now they would realize Alentown only has one "L"
hmmm, and how do you figure that??
Originally Posted by Bob Anson:
hmmm, and how do you figure that??
Good question!
But then, I'm used to people not spelling Allan/Allen/Alan correctly! 
But Allentown--the PA city--is indeed a double-L version.
hmmm, and how do you figure that??
Look at how Chuck "Alentown" spells his tag
Originally Posted by Sean Marchev:
hmmm, and how do you figure that??
Look at how Chuck "Alentown" spells his tag
Gee Sean, you beat Ben to it.
That's always a must to ride while I am there. That and the other one.
Originally Posted by Sean Marchev:
hmmm, and how do you figure that??
Look at how Chuck "Alentown" spells his tag
Gee Sean, you beat Ben to it.
Anything for you Chuck
I haven't thought about the Zephyr for years!
Back around 1979, while a college student, I wanted a six week job to finish off the Summer (having been laid off another job that paid great money - lots of overtime). I got hired at Dorney Park as a 'floating' employee, working at which ever ride needed staffing. I worked the fun house, some wildly spinning ride with loud music (my personal favorite - although it could have had something to do with the two coeds working the ride! ), the steel coaster, the wood coaster, the race cars, and a couple of the kiddie rides.
At the time, I wasn't back into trains, although I spent a couple of days operating the Zephyr. One thing that I remember about operating this train, is that there was bucket of grease near where you sat. Whenever you hit a piece of track that cause the train wheels to squeal, you plopped down a little bit of grease!
Jim
p.s. I remember at the time that minimum wage was $2.30 an hour. The park paid the ride operators $2.10 an hour. If you stayed until the end of the Summer, you got your $0.20 an hour bonus for the hours you worked. Needless to say, my six weeks was my only time working at the park.
