Tops Myer Centre Brisbane Dragon Coaster

[alexisl]

Just wondering if anyone knows what happened to the Dragon Coaster that was at Tops in the Myer Centre in Brisbane about 17 years ago? Apparently it got turned into a train with wheels for fetes, but I can't find any info on it after 2006. I'd love to know where it is now! 

[Brad2912]

Welcome to the forums @alexisl

nice first up post, keen to hear about it too as I've only been in qld for 11 years so had no idea such a coaster existed in Bris

[Reanimated35]

According to this post.....

 

[alexisl]

Thanks for your replies. I've read that post but can't seem to find anything further than it was up for sale in 2006. The ad for it was on a website that now doesn't exist sadly. 

[Reanimated35]

Yeah it seems to have been dead end from that point. That page was:

Quote

Magic Dragon Ride - Accomodates adults and children - Up to 36 passengers - 4 wheel drive, articulated tow unit - Battery powered - Will run all day on one charge, and recharge overnight - Heavy duty forklift traction batteries - Variable speed - 4 wheel steering on all carriages - Tracks perfectly - Video tape of ride in operation available.

[alexisl]

That's great that you found the ad! I've found a post on another page from 2006 that said it was seen at Robina Town Centre. That's the most recent I can find. I'd love to track it down! 

[Reanimated35]

I've just attempted to make contact with the Amusement Directory people and the seller of the ride from 2007 to see if they're able to provide any insight into the whereabouts of the train. I'll let you know if I hear back. 

[alexisl]

Thank you so much!!! That's awesome!! Fingers crossed they reply. 

[alexisl]

I don't want to admit it, but I think we may have hit a dead end. I finally worked out how to look at old websites and found the number on the listing for it. The number used to be for Maleny Jumping Castles that don't seem to exist anymore (makes sense that he would have other amusement rides), but now the number belongs to someone with a different name in an aged care facility. I can't find any Facebook page or details for the seller's name either. It's so frustrating because obviously someone knows what happened to it. I hate to think it would be lying in a rusty pile somewhere but probably I need to give up on finding it. Would've been so nice to show my kids something that has so many nice memories attached to it. Thanks for your help anyway!! If you ever find out anything about it, keep me in mind!! 😊

[Gazza]

6 hours ago, alexisl said:

I don't want to admit it, but I think we may have hit a dead end. 

Can you search for old business names or deregistered ABNs?

[Reanimated35]

13 minutes ago, Gazza said:

Can you search for old business names or deregistered ABNs?

http://abr.business.gov.au/SearchByNameAll.aspx?SearchText=Maleny+Jumping+Castles

Doesn't seem to have any direct results. Probably trading under a different name. 

[Theme Park]

Found this old photo of the track and an article on the tops theme park at myer if anyone is interested in taking a look but sadly can't find information past its closure.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/brisbanes-favourite-play-spaces-remembered/news-story/c3d67787674ead0fc6bbf686c94ec3ab

Also an article on Dazzaland theme park in the adelaide myer centre which unfortunately closed too if anyone is curious to read about this.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/city/my-life-as-the-king-of-dazzeland/news-story/3eeaf787a2376012722048c69a9ab5f1

[alexisl]

Great suggestion! Didn't even think of that!! I can't find it though... Any other ideas? Maybe all together we can find the next piece haha. 

[Cheekyface]

It is apparently in Luna Park in Melbourne....Someone posted this photo on the Old Brisbane Album page on FB if you want to see it...there is a big discussion on it.... 

[Flynn_Smith]

1 hour ago, Cheekyface said:

It is apparently in Luna Park in Melbourne....Someone posted this photo on the Old Brisbane Album page on FB if you want to see it...there is a big discussion on it.... 

I don't think the one in the Myer Centre was that small?

[MaxxTheMonster]

1 hour ago, Flynn_Smith said:

I don't think the one in the Myer Centre was that small?

It was...

 

The structure behind the head was shorter and a different shape though...

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

Yeah - how many of these things are there?

Happens all the time - you wouldn't believe how many people message the Wonderland History team telling them they saw the Wonderland pirate ship (intamin looping starship) at Funfields (Huss Pirate Ship)

[Jobe]

I am pretty sure that the Silly Serpent and the coaster from Tops Myer Brisbane are 2 distinct , different coasters. RCDB lists the Silly Serpent as a Zamperla powered coaster that arrived at the park in 2001. The layout for both coasters are far different to each other. RCDB lists the Jazz Junction model from Adelaide as being a Zamperla powered coaster with a custom layout, and the one from Tops Brisbane was essentially the same coaster. Its possible that they did utilise the train from the Tops model and purchase a new track but i feel that this is unlikely. The timeframes listed on RCDB do match up however, being that it is stated that the Tops coaster ran until 2001 and the LPM Silly Serpent arrived in the park in 2001 but this could be a happy co-incidence. I have nothing to offer as concrete evidence to this however ,  other than my own speculation and I am happy for other information to come to light to say otherwise.

[Gazza]

Yeah the LPM one is just a standard oval type layout with a helix, semi transportable and sits on a base frame. Look on Google maps.

The myer center one is custom, with supports from the building columns.

Plus the trains have different structures.

I think the LPM dragon has been there earlier than 2001...ive ridden it as a kid in 1997 or earlier.

[red dragin]

Even the ABC has been looking for it

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-07/what-happened-dragon-coaster-tops-myer-centre-brisbane/9369924

[Slick]

The fibreglass mould for the first carriage varies between LPM's version and Brisbane's one.

I'd put money on it being Rob Croft's conversion that never worked out as planned. Good idea in theory but as the article alluded to, it'd have a pretty high centre of gravity for the relatively small axle that was originally designed for Zamperla's track guage and thus quite painful to operate off-track.

[Whombex]

ABC Brisbane have mentioned it IS in Melbourne, via the Old Brisbane Facebook page.

Edited March 31, 2018 by Glubbo

[XxMrYoshixX]

I doubt that LPM operates the original coaster. Unlike that model the track appearance on the Tops model is substantially more different than the LPM one... look at the trusses on the track of the Tops coaster - and the lack of them on the LPM version. Also the supports on both coasters are different, on the Tops model the supports are attached onto the building, whereas on LPM's model the supports are a big giant web of steel supports that do not in any way resemble the supports of either of the Myer Centre coasters.

Edited April 1, 2018 by XxMrYoshixX

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

Well youd be right because ABC's story didn't say anything about LPM. The old tops dragon is in a graveyard.

[Joshw84]