Posted: February/19/2006 at 6:06pm | IP Logged

1) how did the astroneedle sparl to the top if the tower if it didn't have sparl tracks?

2) How big was the cabin on the inside?

3) how did you enter the astroneedle?

4) hoe did the entrance look like?

 these questions are some i always wanted to know cuz i only rode it once and i bearly remember it.

Posted: February/21/2006 at 5:22am | IP Logged

1. The tracks were straight.  The two level donut shaped car would turn around at the base in order to line up the doors with the ramps for loading and unloading.  It also would turn as it ascended and descended.  Once reaching the top it would again make at least one revolution in order for the riders to get a panoramic view.

2.  The cabin was little more than a curved bench seat with a glass wall in front.  You sat with your back to the tower looking straight out.  There were handrails on the top for maintenance safety.

3.  There were glass doors that opened.  Riders entered in single file all the way around to be seated.

4.   Ramps that slightly inclined and turned were on the side.  The original concert stage was immediately in front of the needle and the plaza was available for guest seating/standing.

I believe Continental Airlines was a sponsor in the beginning.  If not Continental is was another airline.  The ride ops wore very 60's modern dresses and hats in gold lame'.  Also, security had 2 remote controlled cameras mounted on top.  This was very futuristic in the early seventies.  There were joysticks that controlled the pan, tilt and zoom.  You could zoom in on an individual and follow them almost anywhere in the park and they would never know it.

Posted: February/21/2006 at 7:21pm | IP Logged

cool thanks

Posted: February/22/2006 at 8:56pm | IP Logged

Just found this link to pics of the Astroneedle as it sits in the boneyard after removal.  There are several shots and a lot of other great pics as well. 

 http://whispers.smugmug.com/gallery/904290/3/41115920

Posted: March/09/2006 at 8:26pm | IP Logged

commorancy wrote: I remember hearing it was a nightmare (and quite expensive) to get someone to go to the top of the Needle and actually change the red flashing light.  I remember that it had happened once while I was working at the park and someone who worked a the Needle made a big deal out of what a chore it was to find someone willing to shimmy up (or whatever they used) to change it. The Needle was also apparently anchored very deep into the ground.  I don't know the exact depth, though. One more fact for skuller.  The Needle had two floors (a top and bottom floor) and two separate loading ramps for each floor.  Later on, they stopped using the upper floor (not enough traffic) and just concentrated on using the lower cabin.  The ride operator could also vary the duration of the ride and decend early or let the ride go longer if necessary.  In order to run both floors, you had to have two employees (one for the top and one for the bottom).  There was also a live spiel for the entire length of the ride that was, I believe, replaced by a recording. Oh, and if the doors opened during operation, the ride would completely halt (no rotation, no decending).  The operator would have to reset the ride and I believe that was also a chore to do.  Sometimes, the door mechanisms wouldn't close perfectly.  So, the ride would just stop mid operation and you'd have to check the door latch mechanism.  It liked to break down regularly. There were also cables that helped the cabin to ascend and decend (like a big elevator).  When the wind would whip up, the cables would bang against the side of the Needle and make odd sounds.

wow thats cool, i always wondered thanks