THE SCREAMING EAGLE CIRCA 1928

I used to love to ride the rails. On roller coasters that is. But like a lot of former passions, I've left those behind. Unless I relish more time with Dr. Charles, my chiropractor.

Six Flags Over Mid-America had the Screaming Eagle, which in its day was one great ride. Reputation aside, there was another at the theme park that I liked better. It was called the Mine Train, I believe. And it had the wooden rails.

There's something about a coaster with wooden rails. It may not reach the speed or even have the sharp turns that the moderns have, but to me, they're scarier. The noise of the wheels, the creaking of the car running roughshod over rails, well, it was just more of a thrill for me.

The best I was ever on, though, was Space Mountain at Disney World in the early 70's before they cut down the ride. A good friend worked for Martin Marietta who built some things at DW including the monorail. He told me the first year, they took two people off who had died riding it. Thus, the alteration to modify.

But any roller coaster in complete darkness where you can't lean into the turns or prepare for drops has to be exciting. Combine that with wooden rails and you'd have one scary ride.