Gilroy Gardens
August 4, 2008
Other than the Garlic Twirl, Gilroy Gardens' two thrill rides of note are the Timber Twister, a Zierer Tivoli coaster, and Quicksilver Express, one of the last Morgan Manufacturing-designed coasters, with theming by R&R Creative Amusement Design.
The Timber Twister is good for an entertaining credit.
(Snakes are indeed among nature's awesomest creations.)
But Quicksilver Express is the park's true fun machine.
At 2,139 feet in length, with a top speed of 32 mph, it's not a monster, but with some scenic embellishment and much hidden trackwork, the QE is a fine pleasure.
The coaster is at the far end of the park by the Monarch Garden greenhouse and is accessed through this rustic gateway.
While walking through the queue, you learn all about quicksilver, local mining history, and other doses of related trivia.
As it turns out, the New Almaden Mine, not far from Gilroy, was once the world's largest mercury mine. Neat.
On an early Monday morning in August, the coaster is all yours.
Exiting the station, the train makes a quick U-turn and begins climbing the first of two lift hills. [Note: all on-ride photography taken with the park's permission.]
Here at the first "pinnacle," you can see how much of the greenery there is all around. Puts "parking lot" coasters to shame.
The first bit whistles around the natural splendor.
Some mine-shack action.
Comin' out of the shack.
There's a nice spiral in the mix.
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