Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters ( PTC ) is one of the oldest existing roller coaster manufacturing companies in the world. Based in Hatfield, Pennsylvania , it was established in 1904 by Henry B. Auchy and Chester Albright under the name Philadelphia Toboggan Company . The company manufactured carousels , wooden roller coasters, toboggans (roller coaster cars) and later, roller coaster trains.
16-539: Elitch Gardens Carousel , also known as Philadelphia Toboggan Company Carousel #6 or as the Kit Carson County Carousel , is a 1905 Philadelphia Toboggan Company carousel located in Burlington, Colorado . Philadelphia Toboggan Company Carousel #6 was manufactured in 1905 for Elitch Gardens . It was used at the park every summer until 1928, when the park acquired a new carousel also made by
32-418: A National Historic Landmark in 1987. Restoration efforts continued in 1987 with work to restore the original paint to the animals, chariots, and the outer rim, new siding applied to the carousel building and Victorian-inspired landscaping. A second restoration to the carousel animals took place in 1992. Grants financed research into and restoration of the carousel's original lighting, machinery room, moldings on
48-413: A small hill, and then up a larger hill, making another 180-degree turn. After the turn, there is another drop and then the track makes a right turn ("dog leg"), going through several bunny hills before another left 180-degree turn. Following the second set of bunny hills is a left turn and two bunny hills, then the car slows into the station. The car usually sits for a few moments before coming around into
64-624: The Flying Turns coasters came to the attention of PTC. Recognizing the ride's potential, PTC signed a licensing agreement with Bartlett and Miller to market the ride in North America—with the exception of the state of California. With the arrival of the Great Depression , PTC built only one in 1931, at Rocky Point Amusement Park . The coaster was engineered by Herbert Schmeck , but experienced problems. The ride opened late in
80-502: The Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania , the coaster features a double out and back track layout. When built it was jointly owned by Hershey Park and PTC. The maximum speed is 50 miles per hour (80 km/h). Comet opened in 1946. In 1964, Comet received 6,650 individual 10-watt chaser lights. In 1994, Comet received 2 new trains named "Mork's Comet" and " Halley's Comet ",
96-554: The Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC #51) and sold the existing carousel and band organ to Kit Carson County for $ 1,200, including the cost of delivery by train to Burlington. During the Depression, the carousel spent six years in storage, re-entering use in 1937. Restoration of the carousel's band organ began in 1976. The Kit Carson County Carousel was designated a National Historic Site in 1978 and
112-520: The company stopped designing roller coasters but continued to work on coaster projects until 1979 when it exited the coaster-construction industry permanently. The company manufactured carousels known for their elaborate carvings and decorations. It expanded with the acquisition of the inventory of the Dentzel Carousel Company in 1927. Lead carvers included Daniel Carl Muller, Leo Zoller, John Zalar, and Frank Caretta. Examples of
128-540: The company's carousels (manufactured 1904–1934) exist throughout the United States. The Philadelphia Toboggan Company built the Rollo Coaster at Idlewild Park in 1938, and the carousel for the same amusement park in 1931. The company manufactured Skee Ball games from 1946 to 1977. In 1926, PTC was granted a trademark on a new name, Philtobco. Developed by J. Norman Bartlett and John Miller ,
144-440: The lift hill was rehabilitated and straightened, removing the well known "kink" that was in the lift hill. At the 2023 IAAPA Expo, it was announced that Comet would receive new PTC trains for the 2024 season. Comet goes up a 97-foot (30 m) lift, then drops 96 feet (29 m) at a 47-degree angle. After the first drop, the car goes up a hill and then makes a left 180-degree turn. The car drops back down another hill, goes up
160-583: The names were removed when the comets got new trains in 2024. One of the old trains is currently used as seating at the Hershey Museum , and the other was donated to the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives . Comet was re-tracked during the off-season in 2006, and new seat belts were added two years later. Comet was repainted the same color white, and the station was redone, during the 2012 off-season. Two years later,
176-634: The paintings, and the Wurlitzer band organ in 1997. In May 1981, thieves removed three small horses and a donkey from the carousel during a heavy rainstorm. The animals were later recovered from a Salina, Kansas warehouse and returned to the carousel following a parade through Burlington in October 1981. Commemorative markers on the carousel mark the recovered animals' locations. It is the only antique carousel in America retaining its original paint on both
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#1732802599480192-489: The park next to what is now the Wave Swinger, and part of where Comet's lift hill is located. Though Bartlett and Miller went on to build several more Flying Turns-type coasters, PTC never proposed another. On November 27, 1991, Tom Rebbie and Bill Dauphinee purchased the Philadelphia Toboggan Company from Sam High (1934–2011), and incorporated a new company, Philadelphia Toboggan Coaster, shortly thereafter. Rebbie
208-483: The scenery panels and the animals, and it is the only surviving menagerie (having other animals in addition to horses) carousel made by Philadelphia Toboggan Company. Philadelphia Toboggan Company The Philadelphia Toboggan Company was incorporated on January 20, 1904. It built and designed roller coasters until 1979. Notable designers included Joe McKee, John A. Miller , Herbert Schmeck , Frank Hoover, and John C. Allen . When Allen retired as president in 1976,
224-489: The summer and Schmeck stayed on site for some time before he was able to get the ride operating consistently. The ride was damaged beyond repair by a storm on September 21, 1938. Schmeck engineered a second Flying Turns for Hershey Park in August 1941. Due to the entry of the United States into World War II , and the resulting rationing of building materials, the roller coaster was never built. It would have been located in
240-1043: Was appointed president. In 2007 he bought out Dauphinee to become the sole owner, and changed the company's name to Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. (PTCI). The company continues to manufacture roller coaster trains, queue gates and fin brakes. As of 2019, Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters has built 127 roller coasters around the world. ( Norfolk, Virginia ) ( Topeka, Kansas ) ( Milwaukee, Wisconsin ) ( University City, Missouri ) ( Fort George, New York ) ( Coney Island, New York ) ( University City, Missouri ) (Original Location) ( Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ) ( Canarsie, New York ) ( Detroit, Michigan ) ( Willoughby, Ohio ) Formerly Joy Ride ( Sunbury, Pennsylvania ) Hillcrest Park Kiddytown Most PTC carousels were numbered, so they are easily identified. Most have been moved from their original opening locations. PTC carousels that are still operating or in restoration: Formerly Rolling Green Park, Sellinsgrove, PA, (1944–1972) Beginning before World War II, PTC
256-527: Was involved with the booming dark ride and funhouse business. It spawned the company Funni-Frite Industries of Lancaster , Columbus , and (later) Pickerington, Ohio , which ceased manufacturing operations in 2000. Comet (Hersheypark) Comet is a wooden roller coaster at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania . It is located in the Hollow section of Hersheypark, next to Skyrush . Built in 1946 by
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