SCBB’s 2013 UNDERTOW coaster project: Construction Update #2

Welcome to our second UNDERTOW construction update at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk! Today, the sun was shining, the breeze was blowing, and a blue crane was being used to help dismantle the Hurricane. While any track removal has not begun (as far as I could see), it appeared that the loosening of bolts and such was taking place. They were using the bucket at the end of the crane’s large arm to do the loosening. Let’s move on to the pictures!

The unbolting process has begun!
These guys don’t screw around!
These two men are using that tool to loosen the bolts.

Work, work, work…
The way they got the crane up in there is quite interesting… and also, a miracle!
That red air tube tells us that the tool uses air to for power. Nice!
Another piece of equipment was sitting over by the Double Shot.
As you can see, the flag poles/flags are gone from the Hurricane‘s lift-hill.
Some of the Hurricane‘s white queue fences can be seen here leaning on their sides.
If you look closely, you can see that the station is looking bare with its fences gone as well.
The trains await for removal on the brake-run.
Go crane, go!
The trains await removal… note the disconnected third car of the red train.
Still working hard at it.
Angles abound.
“Hertz, donut?”
A few short moments later, the workers had re-positioned the crane to the top of the lift-hill.
Working up high on a breezy day. Must be careful.
Meanwhile, over at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Bandstand…

And, that’s it! Tune in for the next update on Friday along with one the following Monday. Track pieces are slated for removal near the latter end of the week. Thanks for reading!

—Nicholas Laschkewitsch

Photos: Nicholas Laschkewitsch