Final 2012 Gold Striker Update

First off, happy holidays and happy new year! Here's the most recent progress on Gold Striker. The 'double down' drop continues to grow and is about 1/3 around the Star Tower attraction. Also it appears that all of the cement work is done around the tower. One thing to consider, it appears as though construction has slowed down a bit, due to storms and of course since it's the holiday, the hard-working construction crew is taking a little well-deserved R&R after hauling with this project all summer/fall.

View of the bottom of the first drop from outside the park gates.

The lift remains the same as my last park visit on 12/8 but that could change very soon.

Cement slabs poured, cured, and metal brackets are in place for the drop to continue to grow
(and finally connect with the apex of the lift)

View from inside the park as you head toward the right path around the Carousel.

And this is the view that will be seen when queuing up for the Star Tower
(give or take the lift behind the tower)

C-clamps await pressing down layers of wood.
I've always wondered how wooden coaster track has been shaped.

Midway curve has received its steel tracking.

A close up of the highly banked curve, complete with steel tracking!

And a final look at the structure before we venture into the rest of the park.

When leaving the park, I noticed some markings on the parking lot, throughout the lot.

I can only guess that the parking lot will be getting some re-routing due to the 49er stadium, perhaps to improve traffic flow.

Gold Striker continues to grow

After being slammed by a series of heavy storms, Gold Striker is back on track. I was back out at the park this weekend with several other fellow coaster enthusiasts to catch the latest progress and enjoy another evening of Global Winter Wonderland. I'd like to thank fellow coaster enthusiast/friend "Blue Fire Guy" for the daytime shots as it was dark by the time I had arrived out at the park.

After a healthy storm that hit the bay area, some of the concrete slabs have been formed.

Workers are working on the bottom portion of the first drop, being the 'double-down' section

Not much has changed here since the last update but definitely looks more solid now!

Steel tracking has been placed on the Dead Man's Curve facing Xtreme.

A look at the steep banking coming out of the initial drop.

Wood being delivered to the newly slabbed area.

You can't say they don't have enough workers! It also looks like there's some more track
to be laid down coming out of the midway turn.

Evening shots of the lift structure and the bottom of initial drop.

Work is done for the night.

December Gold Striker update!

Happy December everyone!

Great Coasters International updated their Facebook Page with some nice Gold Striker construction! Despite the note-worthy storms the Bay Area took on this past week, it looks like some work has been done between storms. With this said, I'm now counting down the days for opening day, in hopes that Gold Striker will be ready for us to ride come March!

Looking straight on at the lift. It appears that it received the 'catwalk' structure.
Photo by Great Coasters International

A side view of the lift. Once the foundation is poured and cured, the lift will continue to rise.
Photo by Great Coasters International

Speaking of foundations, the storm put a damper on progression. This looks like it is ready for some cement!
This is where the initial drop will wrap around the Star Tower before heading back between the station and lift.
Photo by Great Coasters International

Workers are working on the curve just prior to the station flyby airtime hump.

And here's a view looking back at a couple of the turnarounds.
Some steel trackingis being laid out on the final turnaround.
Photo by Great Coasters International

The 80-degree Midway Curve, with some Global Winter Wonderland stuff (funhouse) behind the turn.
If you happen to check out GWW, be sure to go into the funhouse for an up-close view of the turn.
Photo by Great Coasters International

A final look at the lift, and curve leading to the station flyby/airtime hump.