Toboggan (roller coaster)
| Toboggan | |
|---|---|
.jpg) A disused Toboggan at Conneaut Lake Park | |
| Status | Discontinued |
| First manufactured | 1969 |
| No. of installations | 32 |
| Manufacturer | Chance Industries |
| Height | 45 ft (14 m) |
| Length | 450 ft (140 m) |
| Toboggan at RCDB | |
A Toboggan is a portable roller coaster model that was produced by Chance Rides (then Chance Industries) from 1969 to the mid-1970s.[1] The coaster features a small ride vehicle which can hold a maximum of two people, that climbs vertically inside a hollow steel tower, then spirals back down around the outside of the same tower. There is a small section of track at the base of the tower with three small dips and two turns to bring the ride vehicle back to the station. Each vehicle has a single rubber tire with a hydraulic clutch braking system that governs the speed of the vehicle as it descends the tower. The rubber tire engages a center rail that begins halfway through the first spiral. The ride stands 45 feet tall with a track length of 450 feet. A typical ride cycle lasts approximately 70 seconds.[1]
History
[edit]The coaster was invented by Walter House of Amarillo, Texas. Chance acquired the manufacturing rights and began producing it in 1969.[1] The coaster was designed to be a carnival ride, fitting on two trailers, but several units were purchased by amusement parks where they were set up as permanent attractions. When the ride was first sold in 1969, it had a price tag of $35,000. Chance built 32 Toboggans, four of which still operate as permanent attractions at amusement parks. A few can also be found at traveling carnivals throughout the world.[1]
Installations
[edit]The following is a list of parks and traveling carnivals that are known to have operated a Chance Toboggan.[2]
| Ride name | Park/carnival | Years operated | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toboggan | Adventureland | 1973-1979 | Sold to Moreno's Park, a traveling carnival in 1979 |
| Space Moon | Animália Park | 2023-present | Purchased from Moreno's Park |
| Toboggan | Arnolds Park | 1998 | Sold to Grand Prix Amusements in 1998 |
| Swiss Toboggan | Boblo Island Amusement Park | 1969-1978 | |
| N/A | Cal Expo Amusement Park | 1975-1979 | |
| Toboggan | Casino Pier | 1970 | |
| Toboggan | Central Pier Arcade & Speedway | 1972-1984 | Featured in the movie The King of Marvin Gardens |
| Toboggan | Clacton Pier | 2009 | Purchased from Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach |
| Toboggan | Conneaut Lake Park | 2002-2006 | Purchased from a traveling carnival in Texas. Remained SBNO until 2014, when it was dismantled and its remains left in a parking lot. It remained there until 2022. |
| Arctic Cat | Crystal Beach Park | 1974 | |
| N/A | Deggeller Shows | N/A | Sold to Lakemont Park |
| Earthquake McGoon's Brain Rattler | Dogpatch USA | 1969-73 | Sold to Seven Peaks Water Park Duneland |
| Toboggan | Family Kingdom Amusement Park (then known as Grand Strand Amusement Park) | 1968-1970s | |
| N/A | Familyland | 1972-1982 | |
| Toboggan | Funtown Pier | 1970s | |
| Toboggan | Ghost Town Village | 1980 | |
| Toboggan | Grand Prix Amusements | 1999-2005 | Purchased from Arnolds Park in 1998 |
| Toboggan | Great Adventure Amusement Park | 1978 | |
| Toboggan | Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach | 1993-2000 | Sold to Clacton's Pier |
| Toboggan | Hersheypark | 1972-1977 | One of two identical Toboggans which operated at the park[3] |
| Toboggan | Hersheypark | 1972-1977 | One of two identical Toboggans which operated at the park[4][5] |
| Toboggan | Huaycha Centro Recreativo | 2022-present | Purchased from Lakemont Park |
| Swiss Toboggan | In The Game Funtrackers | 1978-1984 | |
| Toboggan | Jenkinson's Boardwalk | 1980s | |
| Toboggan | Lakemont Park | 1991-2016 | Previously operated with Deggeller Shows. SBNO from 2017 to 2018. |
| N/A | Landgraf France | N/A | Operated for a season at Luna Park La Palmyre |
| Swiss Toboggan | Little Amerricka | 1993-present | Purchased from Seven Peaks Water Park Duneland |
| N/A | Merimbula's Magic Mountain | N/A | |
| Zeppelin | Moreno's Park | N/A | Purchased from Adventureland in 1979 |
| Toboggan | Old Chicago | 1975-1980 | |
| Toboggan | Palace and Casino Amusements | N/A | |
| Star Wars | Parc Avenue | N/A-2003 | |
| Toboggan | Parc Belmont | 1970s-1983 | |
| Toboggan | Parque de Diveriones Anita Nueva Aventura | 2015-present | |
| Toboggan | Playland Park | N/A-1979 | |
| Toboggan | Queens Park | 1970-1972 | |
| Swiss Toboggan | Santa's Village Amusement and Water Park (then known as Santa's Village) | 1971-N/A | |
| Toboggan | Seven Peaks Water Park Duneland (then known as Enchanted Forest) | N/A-1990 | Purchased from Dogpatch USA, sold to Little Amerricka |
| Toboggan | Shaheen's Fun-O-Rama Park | N/A | |
| Swamp Buggy | Six Flags AstroWorld | 1970-1972 | |
| Toboggan | Skerbeck Family Carnival | N/A-2022 | |
| Toboggan | Sportland Pier | 1966-1970 | |
| Toboggan | Stewart Beach Park | 1980s-1989 | |
| Toboggan | Trimper Rides | 1970s-2009 | |
| N/A | Upper Peninsula State Fair | N/A | |
| N/A | Xingqinggong Park | N/A |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Chance, Harold (2004). The Book of Chance. Wichita, Kansas: Wichita Press. p. 48. ISBN 0-9649065-0-3.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Listing of Chance Toboggan coasters". rcdb.com. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
- ^ Jacques, Charles J. (1997). Hersheypark: The Sweetness of Success. Jefferson, Ohio: Amusement Park Journal. ISBN 0-9614392-2-X.
- ^ 1975 Hersheypark Map, Hershey Community Archives, Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ "Hersheypark Rides for 1975 Season" (Press release). Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company.