By: Chuck Miller
Photography, Uncategorized

What’s left of the Kidney Buster

Of all the rides at Hoffman’s Playland that are now making their way to Huck Finn’s Playland… there’s one iconic ride that I’m glad is making the trip.

Not the train.  Although I will be happy that the train is on its way.

Not the carousel.  Or the Ferris wheel, although I do understand that the Ferris wheel is already there.

No, I’m talking about the small roller coaster.  Not just for its hills and drops – there weren’t many of those, for sure – but for its sharp turns and rickety movements, which earned that roller coaster the derisive nickname of “The Kidney Buster.”

Hoffman's Playland Roller Coaster sign, January 2015
Hoffman’s Playland Roller Coaster sign, January 2015. Nikon F100 camera, AGFA Vista 200 film, Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8 telephoto lens. Photo by Chuck Miller.

Here’s a shot from earlier this January.  The railcars are no longer attached to the coaster, and it’s only a matter of time before the rails move from Route 9 to North Albany in their new home at Huck Finn’s Playland.

Last week, I was driving along Route 9 in Latham when I glimpsed over at what was left of Hoffman’s Playland.  Most of the rides were disassembled.  Some of them – including the Ferris wheel – were no longer on the property.  The only indication that amusement park rides were anywhere in the vicinity were the concrete bases where the rides were once mounted.

Ferris wheel’s gone, the Tilt-a-Whirl is gone, the Kidney Buster roller coaster is –

Well, it’s not completely gone, but there isn’t much left of it.

I looked around.  Nobody nearby.  I could run onto the grounds, snap a few pictures, and run back to my car before anybody spotted me.  Yeah, I’m aware that I’m taking a big chance… but if I don’t get this picture today, the Kidney Buster will be at Huck Finn’s before I know it.  Opportunity wasted, opportunity lost.

What’s in the car with me?  The Leica M3 with a pack of efke 100 in the chassis.

Do it.

Quick sprint onto the grounds.  Well, as quick a sprint as a 51-year-old man can achieve.

And I got this shot.

The Kidney Buster. Leica M3 camera, efke 100 film. Photo by Chuck Miller.
The Kidney Buster. Leica M3 camera, efke 100 film. Photo by Chuck Miller.

Got it and ran back to my car.

Okay, it’s not the same as what some of those urban explorers have achieved… but still…

I got the picture.  And I’ll take that any day of the week.

And of course you know I’ll get a picture of the Kidney Buster when it’s fully assembled at Huck Finn’s Playland.  Count on it.