The Demon

jonrev · Post by **jonrev** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 5:02 pm

They have this out in front of the Gurnee Demon.

redfishpaw · Post by **redfishpaw** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 6:30 am

Nice poster, thanks for getting the photo.

that_guy · Post by **that_guy** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 9:09 pm

JW65 wrote:I was looking at the Turn of the Century pictures on this site and noticed that in 1979, the corkscrew tracks were painted red. How interesting that they were red just for that one season. Wonder if park officials knew when they had them painted red that in a year the entire track of the coaster would be black? Wonder what reaason they had for painting the corkscrew tracks red? If you haven't seen the pictures, take a look...

http://www.greatamericaparks.com/sg/rid ... toc015.jpg

http://www.greatamericaparks.com/sg/rid ... toc016.jpg

Steven, do you know of additional information about the original cars from the Turn of the Century that were used for the Demon? Were they simply rethemed?

Actually, It seems that Gurnee had its red corkscrews as early as 1978 as you can see in this aerial:

http://www.greatamericaparks.com/sg/his ... irg002.jpg

Glorfindel7 · Post by **Glorfindel7** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:40 pm

^ Based on this picture , I think that looks more like the reflection of the tracks in the sun... It's too far away to be sure.

BillK · Post by **BillK** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 3:19 am

Someone mentioned earlier that the tunnel lights at the top of the tunnel were prone to breakage by kids throwing stuffed animals and such up in the air, but what I head from another op (and witnessed at least once) was kids using the hard plastic batting helmet hats when GA started selling them. Luckily the trains were going fast enough that people in cars behind these idiots avoided being showered with bits of light bulb.

I specifically remember that the sound effects, including the moan that started as you went down through the demon mouth mountain and would continue as the fountains would do their brief spurt as the train approached; if you were in the front train you usually would still feel just a bit of mist.

It's been so depressing to return in recent years and see little of the theming left; I'm so glad that I can listen to the Demon song again, thanks to this site. (I still remember the chorus, vividly; hearing it over and over again for at least an hour will do that to you.

)

Imeanbusiness · Post by **Imeanbusiness** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 4:36 pm

I have been meaning to ask what type of affects occured a the head. There is a limit switch located prior to the tunnel, and Ive noticed the speaker in the nose. When I inquired, I was allways told the lights and the effects over there never worked and they just gave up.

Tech Services 1 · Post by **Tech Services 1** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 11:00 am

Imeanbusiness wrote:I have been meaning to ask what type of affects occured a the head. There is a limit switch located prior to the tunnel, and Ive noticed the speaker in the nose. When I inquired, I was allways told the lights and the effects over there never worked and they just gave up.

I can only remember the "moan" or scream sound effect at the Demon head.
The effects equipment was located in a room at the maintenance shed; the switch on the track triggered an endless-loop tape deck which played the moan through the speaker in the "nose". Keeping those tapes functioning properly was a real challenge! They were prone to breaking and jamming. I could see why they gave up, but with the digital playback devices available today, the effects could be easily restored.

I just can't recall if the lights in the eyes were triggered, or constantly on.

PPG

Imeanbusiness · Post by **Imeanbusiness** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 1:58 pm

The lights are on a timmer from the time the train hits the last proxy on the lift.

Demonlover13 · Post by **Demonlover13** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 8:34 pm

The new logos are awesome. I didn't know there were lights in the eyes of the demon "face" but I wish they kept them. Also, they should re-do the fake rocks of the demon face with a different kind of fake rock that wouldn't deteriorate so they could get the waterfall back.

jonrev · Post by **jonrev** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:18 pm

It wasn't only the rocks falling apart as to why the waterfall is off. The water was splashing onto the track and rotting it away. I believe the section of track under the waterfall was replaced a few years ago using a re-profiled section of Shockwave's track.

that_guy · Post by **that_guy** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:49 pm

Be happy you guys still have some rocks, lol...

Demonlover13 · Post by **Demonlover13** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 9:04 am

Yea, I guess. Santa clara's isn't much different now than turn of the century except the loops, black paint and tunnel.

stockboy300 · Post by **stockboy300** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 10:34 am

They need to replace the shoulder harness on the Demon they stink like sweat and mold.

jonrev · Post by **jonrev** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 12:27 pm

Some of them look like guests tried to eat them.

SixflagsGurneeBoy · Post by **SixflagsGurneeBoy** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 8:57 pm

Can't blame them for eating the harnesses with the cost of the food at the park..lol