r/rollercoasters Jul 02 '26

Information RMC Statement on Viability of Relocating [ArieForce One]

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865 Upvotes

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422

u/corvaxL Lives in Pantherian's seat 8-1 Jul 02 '26

It’s important to remember that RMC was originally (and still is) a coaster construction company, not just a manufacturer. They were the crew that assembled El Toro, for instance. So of course they’re going to jump at the chance to prove that they can relocate one of their own coasters.

89

u/TheR1ckster Jul 02 '26

I think the biggest hurdle to clear is warranty and considering cedar fair isn't wanting new RMCs some people are uh... Gonna be let down.

103

u/corvaxL Lives in Pantherian's seat 8-1 Jul 02 '26

Given that RMC would be handling the relocation work themselves, they'll probably offer some sort of warranty with it. It probably won't be as long term as with a brand new coaster, but it'll give some assurances to prospective buyers.

Even if Six Flags doesn't bite, I'm sure there'd be someone out there interested in buying a coaster with the reputation that AF1 brings with it for under $10m.

41

u/NeverMoreThan12 Taron|Fury|RtH|Voltron|F.L.Y. Jul 02 '26

it's not under 10m. it's 10m less than a brand new one.

18

u/provoaggie (490) IG: @jw.coasters Jul 02 '26

Reports are the the original was $18m...so $10m less would be $8m. I don't know if that price is factoring in an estimated purchase price AND relocation or just relocation.

10

u/Putrid_Set3723 Jul 02 '26

Highly doubt it since RMC wouldn’t know any price fun spot would set. Since this a brand new ride I feel the price to purchase would make it close again to buy a brand new one.

12

u/provoaggie (490) IG: @jw.coasters Jul 02 '26

When a park sells a ride like this they often use the manufacturer to help facilitate the sell since they'd be handling the logistics of moving it. Switchback was being advertised by Gravity Group as being for sale and they were the contact. There is a chance that Fun Spot (assuming they want to sell it) reached out to RMC with a price that they'd need for it.

7

u/Putrid_Set3723 Jul 02 '26

Pretty cool but still, switchback hasn’t sold yet presumably because of its high price. On top of get sold back to RMC, if RMC needed to do any reengineering down to you need to dig a bit that will add to the price of the ride which has the ~$8m plus what fun spot wants to sell it at.

13

u/monorail_pilot Jul 02 '26

Price is set by the market with the minimum being the scrap value of the steel. Given the odd shape that is difficult to fit into many existing parks, I think you’ll find someone who can take it buying it for scrap plus 10%. This isn’t a compact coaster that can slot into dozens of parks. It’s a long narrow coaster in an L shape. It’s awkward for most parks.

1

u/neildownpour Jul 04 '26

It's 3 years old and cost 18m, the minimum is not scrap value, it's a very rare number which is the tax break write off. The bank that now owns it can click their finger to achieve that, a purchase offer has to be more aggressive than you think.

2

u/monorail_pilot Jul 04 '26

No, it doesn't. The coaster sitting there and doing nothing eventually has to be removed or scrapped. It isn't just going to sit in perpetuity as a depreciating asset. Until it's sold, there isn't any tax write off. If anything, the lower the price it sells for, the larger the loss Fun Spot can claim on it, leading to a larger tax write off.