Calico Mine Ride.

When I used to be a shift leader at knotts...kinda dark, but the spiel is clear...

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• knotts
• mine
• ride
• calico

[skhosmer]

I worked at the mine from 2004-2006, and was a shift leader during a period there as well. Luckly I never had a run in with wet brakes, and made sure my employees knew how crucial it was to keep them dry. I've seen a train run they the unload dock and hit one loading. Luckly no one was hurt! Thank you for likening my video. I miss driving those trains.

[skhosmer]

i worked the mine 2004-2006... i was a lead who are you?

[pgsvensk]

I worked at the Mine 1979 thru 1980. Back then it was owned by Bud Hurlbut, and we were not under direct Knott's control, so we had LOTS of fun, especially during Halloween Haunt. The PA systems haven't gotten much better either. :-)

[skhosmer]

that sounds awsome!!! i still had a great time running those trains anyway!!!

[TCOPatrick]

Hey its my Train! God I loved running Train 4. Former Miner here as well.

[NarrowGauge87]

@voicelessdj

I miss Mine Ride. I loved working that. Former Miner 2006-2007. I remember Jim Mayfield! Old Hogsbreath Jim! And Frank, and George. Train #4 is my train, but I didn't mind The Beast. She got herself a new paintjob recently. The Beast is known as the "J.W. Buchanan" now. I was known as "El Brasso" by most of my crew, due to my constant brassing of the locomotives.

BTW Bud Hurlbut passed away just a few days ago. :( Bud built this great ride.

[dread66mon]

I've actually got a horror story about Calico Mine Ride - true tale that happened when someone used the skid brakes in the rain when they shouldn't have, and I sped through the explosion tunnel faster than I should have. Lordy - if it wasn't for members of Kaprelyan (Massis and Raffi, did I spell the name right?) we would've nailed the train at load. Details provided upon response to this post.

[dread66mon]

So great to see this. I worked Ghost Town attractions from 1986 to 1988 and remember Jim Mayfield, Rick May. We had one hell of a record-breaking July 4th in 1987 plus a bizarre and scary low-water incident that resulted in guests having to bail out of logs at the base of the run-out. Anywhoo - they don't make 'em like they used to - rides that didn't rely upon computers, but instead involved operators that had the entire system literally in the palms of their hands.

[stoneguy85]

I would have to say I am the last miner of my crew from 2006. I must say I do miss seeing and working with Jim, great guy wish he stuck around for the 50th year of the Calico Mining Co but not through the changes it is going through now. However the trains have been repainted and restored a bit.

[smakarphoenix]

Thanks SO much for posting this video. I worked on the Mine Ride from March 1976 to December 1981 - those were the best years of my life. I still keep in touch with the friends I made there, and dream of the ride a couple times a week. But I'm glad I worked there when I did - we had a LOT of freedom and fun (as soon as I entered tunnel number 1 and said "no smoking" I would light up). We competed with the Haunted Shack who had more groupies! Sorry to hear about Bud - he was a GOOD man.

[pgsvensk]

RIP, Bud, from one of your former Calico Miners. I remember how you took out all your employees for steak dinner at Christmas.

[voicelessdj]

@NarrowGauge87 yeah i heard they did something for him at crm but im not sure what

[voicelessdj]

@pgsvensk they cant touch it cuz its an historic land mark just like the log ride and stagecoach