Cyclone (Revere Beach)
| Cyclone | |
|---|---|
|
Postcard illustrating the Cyclone roller coaster at Revere Beach | |
| Revere Beach | |
| Status | Closed |
| Opening date | 1925 |
| Closing date | 1969 |
| Cost | $125,000 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Wood |
| Manufacturer | Traver Engineering |
| Designer | Fredrick Church |
| Height | 100 ft (30 m) |
| Length | 3,600 ft (1,100 m) |
| Speed | 45 mph (72 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Capacity | 1400 riders per hour |
|
Cyclone at RCDB Pictures of Cyclone at RCDB | |
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The Cyclone was a wooden roller coaster that operated at Revere Beach in Revere, Massachusetts from 1925 until 1969.[1] When Cyclone was constructed, it was the tallest roller coaster ever built,[2] as well as being the first roller coaster in the world to reach 100 feet (30 m) in height.[3] In addition to being the tallest roller coaster of its day, some also claim that it was the largest and fastest roller coaster in the world,[2][4] with a length of 3,600 feet (1,100 m) and top speeds between 45 and 50 mph[4] (some dispute the speed record claim and instead award that honor to the Giant Dipper[5]). Cyclone held the title of world's tallest roller coaster until 1964 when it was surpassed by Montaña Rusa at La Feria Chapultepec Mágico in Mexico City, Mexico.[6]
Given its location near the Atlantic Ocean, Cyclone would take much damage throughout the years from ocean storms, flooding, and blizzards.[7] Despite the abuse the coaster took from the ocean, however, it was a fire that eventually destroyed the Cyclone.[8] When the Cyclone burned down in 1969, it was an event that signaled the demise of the Revere Beach amusement industry.[7] The coaster's charred ruins were finally torn down in 1974.[1]
As with Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York, Revere Beach's attractions were owned by a variety of amusement operators, with the Cyclone being owned by the Shayeb family.[2] In its heyday, Cyclone was a popular ride, regularly transporting as many as 1,400 riders per hour—a rate which was quickly able to recoup the 125,000 dollar cost of the coaster.[9]
Design and construction
Cyclone was constructed by the notable roller coaster builder and pioneer Harry Traver of Traver Engineering and designed by Fredrick Church.[1] Cyclone was one of two roller coasters that Traver built at Revere Beach, the other one being the Lightning. Lightning was part of a model line known as "Giant Cyclone Safety Coasters". These coasters were steel-framed coasters, which, ironically enough, had a particularly poor safety record.[10] Because Cyclone predated Lightning at Revere Beach, Lightning was the only Cyclone Safety Coaster to not share the Cyclone name of its sister coasters.
References
- 1 2 3 RCDB listing for Cyclone
- 1 2 3 Craig, William J.; Revere Society for Cultural and Historic Preservation (2004). Revere. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 0-7385-3671-7.
- ↑ RCDB list of roller coasters by height
- 1 2 Revere Beach historical site Archived August 29, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ RCDB listing for Giant Dipper
- ↑ RCDB listing for Montaña Rusa
- 1 2 Schmidt, Leah A. (2002). Revere Beach. Arcadia Publishing. p. 128. ISBN 0-7385-1030-0.
- ↑ Robertson, Kitty Crockett (2008). Measuring Time - By an Hourglass. Dog Ear Publishing. ISBN 1-59858-682-3.
- ↑ Francis, David W.; Francis, Diane DeMali (2003). The Golden Age of Roller Coasters. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 0-7385-2338-0.
- ↑ Rutherford, Scott (2004). The American Roller Coaster. MBI Publishing Company. ISBN 0-7603-1929-4.
| Preceded by Giant Coaster |
World's Tallest Roller Coaster 1925 - 1964 |
Succeeded by Montaña Rusa |
| Preceded by Giant Coaster |
World's Tallest Complete Circuit Roller Coaster 1925 - 1964 |
Succeeded by Montaña Rusa |