My tastes are eclectic. I could write a couple 500-word essays worth of background to tell you all about it, but I'll spare you the pain. But one thing I do like in addition to card collecting is riding roller coasters.
I've ridden 652 coasters in 172 parks across 13 countries. 596 of those "count" as coasters, with the rest being powered, mountain, water, or undefined coasters. At least 147 of those are no longer operating. (Oh, and in case you're wondering, there's an app for that. There's no way I'm keeping up with all that data.)
I've amassed a decent collection of theme park souvenirs: shot glasses, keychains, magnets, and so on. But until now, I never had my own coaster train.
Do-Dodonpa is one of the signature rides at Fujikyu, which is considered by many to be the best amusement park in Japan.
Side note: Disneyland or DisneySea is considered to be the best theme park in Japan, but Fujikyu is considered to be the best amusement park due to its selection of unique thrill rides. Think of it like a Japanese Cedar Point. Except I believe Nagashima Spaland is a much better park than Fujikyu; Fujikyu has some amazing rides but Nagashima Spaland has a better overall experience.
The detail is pretty good. I wish the people weren't all the same color as the seats. Most of the paint is already applied, but the box came with a set of tiny stickers to put on the trains where the steps and the top next to the seats are. I used a pair of tweezers and some other random nail tool to help me apply them properly.
The train can roll on the very short piece of track or be taken off completely. Each car in the train can spin completely independently of the other cars. And you can't see it in the picture, but the bottom of the train has brake fins and this track piece has brakes. It's a nice touch. In case you're wondering, the bottom wheels spin, though the top and side wheels do not.
I would like a real piece of a coaster someday. Owning a coaster car is probably unlikely, but a piece of track (replaced, of course) or an old wheel would be neat. I have a piece of the Golden Gate Bridge, after all, it can't be too tough to get a roller coaster piece, can it?
Very cool! I lover roller coasters as well, but haven’t even approached your level. I had to do a double take. There really are people in those seats, couldn’t tell at first. This is really cool....go Tomica!
ReplyDeleteI take it you've ridden this coaster?
ReplyDeleteI couldn't tell there were people in the seats either.
Sumo: Oddly enough, I was terrified of coasters as a child. It wasn't until I was about 13 years old that I tried my first real coaster and fell in love.
ReplyDeleteNPB: Definitely! Only once or twice though, because FujiQ is such a difficult park to visit and enjoy.
I am definitely not a coaster-man myself. My dad is and he took my brother and I on the Magnum at Cedar Point in Ohio for our first experience. I have only been on a few since and always begrudgingly. I always likened Tomica to Johnny Lightning brand because of the accuracy and detail. Cool piece to find and collect!
ReplyDeleteMagnum was not a fun experience for me. I haven't been to Cedar Point in 15-20 years, but I was never really that impressed with the park. Lots of rides that broke records, but just never stood out as the best. Johnny Lightning: there's a brand I've never actually had anything from!
DeleteYou have a piece of the Golden Gate Bridge? That's pretty cool. I used to love riding roller coaster, but most my number isn't even near yours. I've only been to six theme parks plus rode two casino roller coasters in Vegas.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember how or when I got it, but most likely from the souvenir shop at the toll plaza. They had replaced the cables at some point and turned slices of the original cable into souvenirs.
Delete600 is a big number, but there are some people who devote their whole lives to riding coasters, and are in the thousands. If I ever actually make it to 1000 different coasters I'll be surprised!