Comet is a wooden roller coaster located at Waldameer & Water World in Erie, Pennsylvania. It was designed by Herbert Schmeck and built by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters in 1951.[1] It is similar to other Schmeck-designed PTC junior wooden coasters which feature a layered, figure-8/oval layout. However, Comet is taller than the previous junior wooden coaster designs.[1] Comet is an ACE Coaster Classic.
| Comet | |
|---|---|
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| Waldameer & Water World | |
| Location | Waldameer & Water World |
| Coordinates | 42°06′28″N 80°09′24″W / 42.1077°N 80.1568°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | 1951 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Wood |
| Manufacturer | Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters |
| Designer | Herbert Paul Schmeck |
| Track layout | Wood |
| Lift/launch system | Chain |
| Height | 37 ft (11 m) |
| Drop | 25 ft (7.6 m) |
| Length | 1,300 ft (400 m) |
| Speed | 25 mph (40 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Duration | 1:24 |
| Height restriction | 46 in (117 cm) |
| Comet at RCDB | |
Layout
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The ride begins with a right turn out of the station onto a 37 feet (11 m) lift hill. It then drops 25 feet (7.6 m) and heads back up into a left turn. It drops again, into two airtime hills, and heads back up into a right turn over the station. Then it drops into a series of two bunny-hops and goes up into a right curve that is directly underneath the left curve that comes after the lift hill. It then drops and heads into a final bunny-hop before reaching the brakes, and curves right into the station. In its 1:24 duration, it reaches a top speed of 25 miles per hour (40 km/h). It has over 1,300 feet (400 m) of track.
Trains
editComet has two Junior PTC trains of four cars, all of which utilize flanged wheels. Each car has two seats that can hold two riders, for a maximum of 16 riders per train.[2] Although the park owns two trains, for several years, only one was placed into daily operation, as park management was not comfortable running two trains with manually operated skid brakes.
Braking system
editFor the 2012 season, Comet received an updated braking system from Velocity Magnetics.[3] The new system uses a combination of magnetic and friction brakes, and along with a new control system, allows for two-train operation on busy days.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b Jenkins, Torrence Jr (2006). Herbert P. Schmeck, The Forgotten Legacy. Zanesville, Ohio: American Coaster Enthusiasts. p. 144. ISBN 0-9703987-1-9.
- ^ Baldwin, Timothy; Seifert, Jeffrey (2000). Guide to Ride 2000. Zanesville, Ohio: American Coaster Enthusiasts Worldwide Inc. p. 95. ISBN 0-9703987-0-0.
- ^ "Comet brakes make their final stop". 6 March 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
- ^ "The Comet gets magnetized". 30 January 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2012.