Comet | Turnstile Tuesday
Turnstile Tuesday – Comet at Six Flags Great Escape
After being closed for over a year The Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor in Queensbury, New York will welcome guests once again this coming Saturday May 1st! We are thrilled to see parks in New York opening again and SFNE Online’s Turnstile Tuesday is getting a head start this week by featuring the park’s signature coaster Comet.
This highly rated double out and back wooden coaster has a long history dating back to 1927. Original it had a different layout when it opened as the Crystal Beach Cyclone at Crystal Beach Park in Ontario, Canada.
According to rcdb.com the Crystal Beach Cyclone is considered by many to be the most extreme roller coaster ever built. The ride lasted only 40 seconds after cresting the lift hill. The layout was nearly void of any straight track and consisted of one extreme turn after another. There was a nurse on duty who often attended to riders who fainted.
Needless to say onlookers gathered to watch those who dared to ride Cyclone but as time went on it was clear that Cyclone had run its course due to increased operating costs and lower popularity. In September 1946 it started to be dismantled but then using some of the original structure this coaster was reborn as the Crystal Beach Comet featuring the layout we still see today.
Crystal Beach Park closed after the 1989 season but Comet was saved thanks to being purchased by The Great Escape’s then owner Charlie Wood. In 1994 the Comet was reconstructed by Martin & Vleminckx at TGE and now still continues to thrill coaster lovers today.
Comet Official POV
Have you had a chance to ride Comet at TGE? If you have what’s your thoughts on it? What’s your favorite classic wooden coaster overall? Are you looking forward to having parks open once again in New York? Anyone planning to go to Great Escape for opening weekend?
Once again a continued thanks to everyone who has liked and shared our Turnstile Tuesday posts so far. Also, don’t forget to message us if you’d like to share pics or video clips of your favorite rides for consideration in future posts.
Comet Turnstile Tuesday Gallery
First Run Back Train Through The Structure Heading Around for Lap 2
Classic Park Shot Final Stretch Final Stretch Airtime Final Stretch 3
A Classic TGE’s Star Attraction – Comet!
Thanks for taking the time to check out our Turnstile Tuesday featuring Comet at Six Flags Great Escape. Please share your comments and thoughts below.
Originally Posted on the SFNE Online Facebook Page
*Note: Some images used were sourced from the Six Flags Great Escape Website
