originally posted on 6/7/2019
Blue Streak’s third hill received major track work.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
Work has been completed on restoring the famed long and winding tunnel on Conneaut Lake Park’s (Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania) Blue Streak wooden coaster. Ride Maintenance Supervisor Leonard Adams III remarked recently that work on getting the tunnel back into shape started about two years ago. He noted that it has indeed “taken a lot of work, a small crew, and some time and money” to complete. The project was finished this year, all in time for the park’s opening on Memorial Day weekend. The tunnel had been suffering deteriorating over the years with holes and gaps in the walls and much of the roof missing. Mr. Adams assured us there’s “very little light coming through” now, with only a very minor bit from under the track sneaking in. The tunnel is enclosed “nice and tight.”
Blue Streak’s beloved tunnel received a complete rebuild.
Photo: Lenny Adams. View full-sized image.
Photo: Lenny Adams. View full-sized image.
In addition, work has been completed on Blue Streak’s third hill, according to Adams. They took out 150 feet, put in all brand-new lumber and replaced four ledgers.
The 1938 Blue Streak is an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark and ACE Coaster Classic. The out-and-back woodie was designed by Edward Vettel Sr. and is one of two remaining Vettel coasters in the world — the other being Cyclone at Denver’s Lakeside Amusement Park. The coaster runs with a vintage National Amusement Device (NAD) train. On August 25, 2018, ACE’s Preservation Fund donated $7,000 toward the purchase of new wheels for Blue Streak’s rolling stock. [See ACE News, October 2018 issue, with its “Flying High with a Blue Streak” story for more information; also, see RollerCoaster! 146 for History and Preservation Director David Dragun’s article detailing what ACE has accomplished through its special funds, including donations made since 2002 to support this park and its wood coaster’s survival.]
Speaking of ACEers supporting Conneaut Lake, ACE Western Pennsylvania Regional Rep Bill Linkenheimer III was asked to help fact check and fine tune scripts (for which he enlisted the assistance of Jim Futrell, Dave Hahner and Mike Costello), for two park promotional videos as well as a television commercial, all funded by the Crawford County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. The links to view them are below this article.
Conneaut Lake Park offers two new attractions for 2019. A 40-foot-tall Ferris wheel (Eli Bridge Co. No. 5) is ready to take guests for a spin overlooking Conneaut Lake, and the park’s Kiddieland section has gained a kiddie-sized version as well. Mr. Adams added that visitors will find the park spruced up for this season, with new roofs throughout, benches and picnic tables newly painted, improvements in Conneaut’s water park Splash City and Kiddieland and freshening up everywhere.
In addition to the Blue Streak, the park is home to an Allan Herschell Company 1950 Little Dipper kiddie coaster; the intriguing Devil’s Den (Pretzel Amusement Ride Company), an enclosed coaster-like dark ride; plus a Traver Tumble Bug; and for the kids, Pony Rides on real ponies.
— Randy Geisler
Conneaut Lake Park video:
Blue Streak video:
@#$%&!
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