pinksmile

This photo gives a clearer comparison between the old anchor point (as shown in the previous photo) at the rear, and the current anchor point being used for the counterweight track rope. Enjoy. Taken on 30/9/08.

Thanks for the insightful information jasicia, appreciate it. By the way, i mentioned in a post a few days ago that i have been waiting decades to see some photos of the current counterweight top anchor. Is there anyway you could arrange to get some photos taken of the top anchor for (me / us) the parkz members, i would be forever grateful ? If you cannot take them yourself, is there any chance you could get the maintenance crew to take the photos of the top anchor ? I really hope you can, that would be fantastic.

Just wondering if anyone knows or has any information on who designed and built the original counterweight system that was first installed in the early 1950's ?

This is a photo taken on 30/9/08 of the old metal wheel type of anchor that was in use when i first visited the anchor rock in the valley back in 1986. Not anymore though. I assume the cliff face anchor empolyed the same type of wheel mechanism, but there is no way to know for sure, as it is unaccessible. I personally would love to see it. I've been waiting for 32 years and counting to see it, but unfortunately it is never going to happen.

Thanks very much djrappa, i appreciate the support. I could have retaliated to AlexB's outburst, but simply couldn't be bothered. Thanks again.

If anyone is heading up to Scenic World in the near future, could they possibly take a photo or two of the counterweight in its position near the cliff face at the top as they ascend or descend in the Scenicsender ? Then upload it here i would be most grateful. Thanks.

I can see where your coming from reanimated35 and understand why you might ask that question. The truth is i don't know why. I have always been fascinated by the counterweight since i was a kid and still am. The only thing i can think of for my interest in the subject, is that you could never actually see where the counterweight stopped down in the valley or see clearly where it stopped near the cliff face at the top. And as a small kid that was really intriuging. As for the photos, they were just uploaded for anyone else out there who had ever been curious themselves about the counterweight over the years.

Perhaps of interest to some, another recent photo taken on 30/9/08. A closer view taken on 30/9/08. Photographed directly underneath on 30/9/08. Top view taken on 30/9/08. Here is a photo taken on 30/9/08 of the previous counterweight (minus it's weight barrell) that was in operation between the late 1980's and mid 1990's. Front view of the previous counterweight taken on 30/9/08. I always prefered the yellow and black signage that was attached to the side of the counterweight, as opposed to the green and white one they currently use. This photo is for anyone who has ever wondered what the counterweight track cable is connected to in the valley. Taken on 30/9/08. The slimline counterweight designs that they used in the past, looked so much cooler than the current (platform) model they use, in my opinion. It is surprising that they did'nt take on the (platform) design years before they finally did, as it is obviously designed that way for ease of maintenance. Taken on 30/9/08. This photo was taken of the counterweight in it's top position near the cliff face. I realise it is crappy quality, but it is a long way away from the bottom anchor point in the valley. Notice how much slack there is on the counterweight track cable. From any other angle it never appears to have that much slack. Of interest to some perhaps ? Taken 30/9/08. This is a photo of the recently installed counterweight track cable support frame, as opposed to the old iron wheel type that was used for years. Taken on 30/9/08.

Thanks for that update jasicia it makes a bit more sense now. I just hope we all get to see this thing up and running at some stage. Anyway, did you have any luck in finding out from your managing director if there are any old counterweight photos lying around or archived somewhere ? I hope he does.

Jasicia, please tell me if you can, why did Scenic World get the Orphan Rocker's complete track line installed all those years ago, to then just stop dead with completion ? Surely they had the finances and all the safety issues etc to complete the ride in the beginning, or they would'nt have started building it in the first place. Right ???

I was not out to upset the applecart with anyone, particularly anyone working there, i was just stateing the truth from a Scenic World fans point of view. From where i (and probably others) stand the Orphan Rocker has become a major frustration, in that we have all waited for so many years to see this ride finally completed and commence operation. Sure, there is the whole financial side of things that must be worked out from your side of the fence, but from our side that $30 million that was spent in the last few years should have included completion of the Orphan Rocker. It has been there since around 1983 and should have been up and operating by now.

Yeah, you me and thousands more would dearly love to see something happen in regards to the Orphan Rocker. I mean seriously guys, at least dismantle the damn thing and put it to rest (in theory anyway). All these "it is still in the pipeline" and "when we get around to it " type statements have really worn thin on everyone i suspect, particularly when you consider they have been saying them for over 25 years and still all we have is the track suspended 20 feet in the air racing around the top of Scenic World. The track itself has been painted a different colour over the years for anyone that doesn't know so hey, they have completed maintenance on it.

Here is a fairly recent photo taken from the bottom platform of the Scenic Railway on the 30/9/08.

Thanks jasicia, yeah it did help. By the way would you happen to know if there are any old photos circulating or archived of the counterweight operating during the 1960's and 70's ?. I am just curious to see what it looked like in those days. Or information on how they maintain it. I have always been intrigued by it for some reason since i was a kid and still am (dont ask me why i couldnt tell you).

Please check my reply to this under the ARTHURS SEAT CHAIRLIFT section. I placed it in the wrong section. SORRY ""

I am not sure on this but i seem to recall that the gondola/cable car that used to operate at the Sydney Royal Easter Show at Moore Park, was opened sometime in the mid 1970's and closed in 1997, when the show moved to Homebush. The individual cable car cabins were coloured red,blue,yellow and a greeny sort of colour. Another thing that i recall when it first opened was that the 4 pilons that carried the cable cars across the showground were painted red and blue with the cigarette logo brand by the name of Ardath printed in large letters going up the sides of them. As for the old chairlift they had operating there it was painted a silvery colour. I do not know when that opened - probably in the 1960's,and closed in 1997. Hope that helps.

Djrappa, yeah it was an interesting read for sure, and in keeping with that mode do you happen to know when the counterweight was converted to a platform that surrounds the barrell as opposed to the standard framework that they had on it for years ?

What incidents took place at Scenic World recently. Could someone please fill me in ?

Does anyone know what happened to this topic that a few of us spoke about a while back ?

It is no longer called the scenicsender. It is now called the scenic cableway. I was just making an observation as too my experience on this ride,and stand by it.

Can anyone tell me if the scenic cableway at katoomba is a worthy ride in their opinion ? I rode it a few weeks ago and found it to be a fairly pointless ride. The scenic railway has always done the job in the past,and is far superior in my opinion. Hope to hear your thoughts.