Demise of Fairplex Monorail
Doug the Desert Tripper
I was dismayed when we visited the L.A. County Fair this year - they
removed its Monorail, once a staple fair attraction. (They retained
the popular "Ski Lift" style aerial ride between the model train area
and the floral building, however). A fair rep said the monorail was
taken out because of "maintenance issues" (i.e., the control system
was broken down too much of the time). I wonder if that is true or
just a smokescreen. It seems to me part of the trend of removing
aerial scenic attractions, like Disney's Skyway, etc. I would think
that if they had really wanted to keep the monorail that they could
have retrofitted the control systems (and indeed the entire monorail
was supposedly renovated in 1990). I was wondering if anyone had heard
the whole story on this?
The fairgrounds do look less cluttered without the monorail tracks and
supports, but I sure miss those twinkling "Christmas lights" on the
bottoms of the cars as the softly whirred overhead...
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Doug the Desert Tripper - Exploring Southern Cal deserts and the Net since '94
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Dwayne L. Allen
In Article <news:342d136a...@news.linkline.com>,
Doug the Desert Tripper wrote:
>I was dismayed when we visited the L.A. County Fair this year - they
>removed its Monorail, once a staple fair attraction. (They retained
>the popular "Ski Lift" style aerial ride between the model train area
>and the floral building, however). A fair rep said the monorail was
>taken out because of "maintenance issues" (i.e., the control system
>was broken down too much of the time). I wonder if that is true or
>just a smokescreen. It seems to me part of the trend of removing
>aerial scenic attractions, like Disney's Skyway, etc. I would think
>that if they had really wanted to keep the monorail that they could
>have retrofitted the control systems (and indeed the entire monorail
>was supposedly renovated in 1990). I was wondering if anyone had heard
>the whole story on this?
>
I havn't felt this bad, and angry with The L.A. County Fair since they tore
out the original Fun Zone mid-way and the PTC junior woodie Big Ben along
with it. I know most folks might say "Oh, It's just a Monorail." But this
is an historical crime. Not to mention the fact that I grew up with
Monorail always being there. I think everyone on the L.A. County Fair board
and planning commitee should hung by the ......well you know. And what
makes it so bad is that The Fair commitee doesn't let the public know of
decisions, actions, and changes because they are scared of public out cry.
Someone just might say DON'T DO THAT!!!! Or, they must figure no one would
care. Well excuse me, I DO!!! I hope they had the decency to sell the ride,
rather than scrap it, or bulldoze it like there original Flight To Mars
dark ride along with the rest of the mid-way. Not to mention losing The
Magic Carpet walk through fun house, FLYING FISH wild mouse coaster, and
tearing down The Giant Ferris Wheel. At this point, I think the only
original building left is The Fairplex grand stand. Oh joy.
How could the city of Pomona let them do this? Some people just don't
believe in retaining tradition and herritage. I guess a lot of retired
people from the Long Beach City Planning Commission must work for The Fair
Committee. Which means they aren't going to replace it with anything to
make people want to come to the fair. Actually, the minature trains and the
carnival rides (a ride I havn't tried or can't find frenquently) or the
only things of interest to me now.
>The fairgrounds do look less cluttered without the monorail tracks and
>supports, but I sure miss those twinkling "Christmas lights" on the
>bottoms of the cars as the softly whirred overhead...
>
Personally I didn't think The Monorail took up that much space and it was a
part of The Fair's history. But yes, I will miss it like I miss so many
other things that have been taking away. I know the L.A. County Fair
Monorail is not like losing The Pike or POP, but no matter how big or small
you look at it, it's still a crime. Another attraction at The Fair (and in
general) I grew up with that I will be sorely missed. Just can't take
things for granted. How would I know two seasons ago would be my last ride
on The Monorail after they had just refurbished it in 1990. I think there
is a cover up somewhere.
Dwayne L. Allen
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Karl M
It was sad to see they stopped the Empire Mine tours too. That was
our annual tradition! I guess I have no reason to go next year;
they'll probably remove the model railroad next.
The parking and admission prices have gotten out of line too. $5 to
park and then $9 to get in. Why do they have to gouge the public like
that? I went to the Oklahoma State Fair a couple of years ago.
Parking was FREE and admission was $.50! The greedy bastards in L.A.
need to learn a lesson from the great state of Oklahoma!
Sfmm71
>
>The parking and admission prices have gotten out of line too. $5 to
>park and then $9 to get in. Why do they have to gouge the public like
>that? I went to the Oklahoma State Fair a couple of years ago.
>Parking was FREE and admission was $.50! The greedy bastards in L.A.
what are you talking about the addmission to the fair is $.75, and $16.00 for
unlimited use of ALL rides.
#1 coaster: Viper(SFMM)
#1 park: SFMM(homepark)
EMail me at SFM...@aol.com. B&M stand up new for 98 at SFMM!!!
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Dwayne L. Allen
In Article <news:60v2c5$e9$1...@news2.cais.com>,
Karl M wrote:
>It was sad to see they stopped the Empire Mine tours too. That was
>our annual tradition! I guess I have no reason to go next year;
>they'll probably remove the model railroad next.
>
Oh No. They had better not remove The Model Trains. That's been my favorite
exhibit since I was a little kid. And Lord knows that's been a long time
ago.
>The parking and admission prices have gotten out of line too. $5 to
>park and then $9 to get in. Why do they have to gouge the public like
>that? I went to the Oklahoma State Fair a couple of years ago.
>Parking was FREE and admission was $.50! The greedy bastards in L.A.
>need to learn a lesson from the great state of Oklahoma!
I Know, It's a shame. Prices have gotten way out of hand for fairs, and
some parks.
Doug the Desert Tripper
On Thu, 02 Oct 1997 02:54:29 GMT, kmet...@pacificnet.net (Karl M)
wrote:
>It was sad to see they stopped the Empire Mine tours too. That was
>our annual tradition! I guess I have no reason to go next year;
>they'll probably remove the model railroad next.
>
>The parking and admission prices have gotten out of line too. $5 to
>park and then $9 to get in. Why do they have to gouge the public like
>that? I went to the Oklahoma State Fair a couple of years ago.
>Parking was FREE and admission was $.50! The greedy bastards in L.A.
>need to learn a lesson from the great state of Oklahoma!
>
That's interesting! We didn't even try to go through the Empire Mine
this year (we got there after it *would have* closed) but it was the
first thing on my mind of what the Fair might get rid of next. There
was a large chunk of the hill behind the floral bldg (which I
affectionately call "Hot Tub Hill") closed off for something - wonder
what?
I'm not sure if they will kill the model railroad - that seems to be a
pretty popular attraction! (but then again, so were the Monorail, the
giant Ferris wheel, and the Empire Mine).
I totally agree that the prices are sky-high. The discount deals are
spottier and less of a discount than what they have been in the past
too. As far as I'm concerned the Fair has become another Disneyland
(which coincidentally is also ripping out classic attractions at an
alarming rate!) Also this "Area 51" attraction that was hyped on the
news and such (even CNN!) - that cost another $7 a person above and
beyond admission! The news reports conveniently omitted this fact
(listening to them one would have thought it was included in fair
admission). We passed it up.
IMHO someone needs to impeach this new Fairplex manager, James
Henwood, that came in a couple years ago. Since then just about
everything has changed for the worse and I'm not sure if I'll look
forward to going to the Fair next year as I have in the past.
Everything once special to me and others I know who grew up going
there is now gone.
A prominent icon on the Fairplex web page reads, "Kaboom at Fairplex"
- how appropriate!