Tuesday, July 03, 2012

Pop Bites: Cyclone Roller Coaster Turns 80

Coney Island iconic wooden roller coaster has gone over the hill more than once.  Turning a strong eighty years old this past June 26th 2012, the coaster still manages to thrill and bang around riders summer after summer. 

Heather Wiggin
of the New York Daily News writes of those who brought the coaster to Coney Island; "Brothers Jack and Irving Rosenthal commissioned the legendary Vernan Keenan to design, and Harry C. Baker to construct, the preeminent wooden-tracked roller coaster. The design had to be exceptionally tight and steep because of the relatively small ground space that was available for the attraction. The construction of this masterpiece began on a historical site which was significant in the world of roller coasters -- the Cyclone graces the place which contained the world's very first roller coaster, LaMarcus A. Thompson's Switchback Railway".

The coaster became an official New York City Landmark in July 12, 1988.  Later in June 26, 1991 , on its 59th year anniversary, the coaster became an official National Historic Landmark.

After the close of Astroland, its former operator Carol Albert was supposed to continue operating the Cyclone Roller Coaster but it later went to the hands of Luna Park's Zamperla.  They are doing a wonderful job of, not only, operating the Cyclone Roller Coaster but, bringing life, in full living color, back into Coney Island as well!

(Image above courtesy of Coasterimage.com)

1 comment:

coasters said...

For the actual in-game roller coaster, see The Screaming Oak.If you fall off the tracks before the steep drop, there's a ladder you can use to climb back up.