The Oklahoma City Project
By: Rick Davis
Tom Gore with the Oklahoma Air National Guard has for the past few years created a haunted walkthrough at the air base in Oklahoma City during Halloween. This non-profit event is for the benefit of Air National Guard personnel and their families as part of the "Just Say No To Drugs Program."
For 2001, Tom decided to create a darkride for their enjoyment. Not just any darkride, but an authentic Pretzel darkride complete with spinning cars. When he accomplishes that goal, he may have the only darkride in the country with cars that still spin (all other known rides have had the cars locked to stop the rotation.)
Since Tom first contacted them, DAFE has been helping Tom behind the scenes, so to speak. Initially by providing him with information that led to him acquiring the remains of a severely damaged darkride that formerly operated at the defunct Eagle Park in Cache, OK.
This Pretzel Darkride had remained unused since 1985, but was destroyed by fire a few years ago. Despite its condition, it was still able to provide the track and a few cars for parts to help create a new ride. It took two trips to bring back the pile of rusted cars and track that only an enthusiast could love.
As luck would have it, DAFE director and cofounder, Rick Davis, happened to be in Oklahoma City on business when Tom was to pick up the cars and track and was able to assist Tom and DAFE member Jerri Mills in retrieving the last of the cars. Unfortunately, the cars were in even worse shape than when Rick had first seen them two years before.
Here Rick (seated) and Tom (background) take a break. As you can see by the smiles, they are looking beyond the rust and imagining the finished project.
Not long after that Tom, was able to obtain six operating cars from that were being stored in Kentucky. With these his project was slowly becoming reality.
Tom was very busy during the summer of 2001 with the very difficult task of converting what was basically a pile of scrap metal back into a operating darkride that should make its creator, Bill Cassidy, proud.
The track was all acid dipped to remove all traces of rust due to the fire and years of neglect. With the first pieces of track cleaned, Tom proceeded to set up a small oval of track in his home's garage.
With the track fastened together and some makeshift insulators in place (the originals were destroyed by the fire) Tom and his friend Chuck Salazar wired the track and set a car in place.
Once he had proven that the ride would run again, it was time to start thinking of the details. Here, the track layout has been decided upon.
This represents the track that will be inside the ride, in the dark. The top of the photo being the entrance on the right and exit on the left.
All good darkrides need some front "flash" and Tom's is no exception. Creating a miniature from his concept drawing was his first step.
Once he was satisfied, he started creating the first parts of the real thing.
Here we see the beginnings of the ride control and operators area.
Ever wonder how the Pretzel cars stay on the track and where they get the power to run their electric motors?
A flanged wheel rides on top of the main rail where it both guides the car and picks up one side of the power.
A pick-up that rides the side rail which is insulated from the main rail and provides the other side of the power line.
As October drew near, the Air National Guard base authorized Tom the use of a garage to house the ride. Here the track is being test fit before being fasten to the floor. That scale model saved a lot of sore backs when it came time to laying the real track.
Here the walls of the ride have been temporarily set in place.
Likewise, some of the props are set in place to check for car clearance.
Not well known is the fact that most of the money supporting this project came from Tom himself.
Tom can still use help. Original style track insulators are needed to replace the temporary ones currently being used. Spare parts for the cars and extra track parts would be useful. Additional track switches to actuate the gags and gags themselves could be used. Original Pretzel manuals, parts list, etc. (or copies) would be useful. (If you would like to help with the project with parts or a donation or by helping with its construction please contact DAFE.)
The tragic events of September 11th, 2001 caused the future of the darkride project to be uncertain since it is located on a military base. The first thing to happen was that the ride had to be downsized from 57' X 57' to 38' X 57' to accommodate storage of some equipment.
This change alone caused a great deal of re-planning of the track layout as well as downsizing the rides facade. Additionally, the lighting and walls also had to be changed, setting the work schedule back a week. But, the work continued. The track was installed and wired with 5 of the 6 cars on and running, with the 6th to follow.
Tom was then faced with a difficult decision and that was to cancel the base's Halloween party and the darkride along with it. Work on the darkride would continue for a few weeks to iron out a few bugs before the ride would be torn down and put into storage. BUT, after a phone call with a General and two Colonels, that decision was reversed and it was decided that the ride would open as planned on October 27th! They thought the value of the event was important as a morale booster.
Work continued on as Halloween rapidly approached. The inner walls were put up and lighting was installed. Next on the agenda was the installation and testing of the stunts. The testing went well, the finishing touches were completed, and all that was needed were riders.
The Halloween Party went on as scheduled and the guests were not disappointed as true to his word, Tom Gore provided a genuine operating Pretzel darkride!
The party started at 7:00PM and ended at 9:30PM on October 27th, 2001 and the darkride operated for most of that time. Due to the reduced size of the ride, only 4 of the six cars were used so that as one car was exiting the ride, the next was going in.
Two minor problems cropped up, but Tom wasn't about to let them put a halt to the ride. One of the power rails came loose and stopped the ride for a few minutes until Tom and his crew made repairs. The old age of the cars played a part in one of them refusing to run when its ancient power pickup broke off. Tom and his crew decide to leave the car on the track and to push it through by hand to insure that everyone waiting got a chance to ride. Now THAT is dedication!
Speaking of dedication, Tom points out that one of the most dedicated supporters of this project was his wife, Carol. Rather than dismissing the idea as the ravings of a crazed husband, she supported Tom despite the fact that the ride took over her parking spot in the garage at home and kept him occupied for many hours as he worked toward his goal. Her support didn't stop there either. It was Carol, dressed in costume, that pushed each car from the exit of the ride to the entrance for the next rider.
In a fitting conclusion to the ride's first operating session, Tom and Carol took the last ride before closing it down until next year. One can only imagine Tom and Carol reenacting their teenage years during the ride.
Tom promises more pictures of the ride and mentioned that he also shot some video tape. Maybe we can talk him into showing it at the next DAFE event.
What are Tom's plans now? Rebuilding the cars and restoring the rotating abilities for next years event top the list.
Great job TOM!
The following people helped make this ride possible:
Tom Gore - The man who had the vision and determination, and financed most of the ride.
Carol Gore - She put up with Tom's crazy idea and assisted with helping people in to the ride cars.
Chuck Salazar - Helped during all phases of its construction as well as helping people exiting the ride.
James Brown - Operated the rides controls
Paul McCready - Assisted people into the cars
Art Filippo - Assisted people off the ride
Tab Harman - Live actor in the ride
Mike Loveless - Live actor in the ride
Henry Warden - Live actor in the ride
Anthony Salazar - Live actor in the ride
Bill Maxwell - Live actor in the ride
Debbie Cass - Passed out candy at the end
Julie Harman - Passed out candy at the end
You all did a great job!
This article ©2001 Rick Davis and used with permission.
Photos ©2001 Tom Gore, ©2001 Rick Davis, and ©2001 Jerri Mills and used with permission.