Two New Landmark Coasters

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originally posted on 7/12/2021

Photo: Courtesy Hersheypark. View full-sized image.

Comet of Hersheypark and Thunderhawk of Dorney Park were recently recognized during Coaster Con 43 as ACE Roller Coaster Landmarks. American Coaster Enthusiasts is proud to congratulate both Hersheypark and Dorney Park and for their exceptional preservation of these coasters to ensure they continue to offer generations to come the opportunity to experience these treasures and to create special memories with each ride. Each plaque, prominently displayed in the park, was unveiled during a special ceremony. In addition to the Landmark plaque, Tom Rebbie, president of Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. (PTCI), presented each park with a framed copy of the original blueprint of the ride.

Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.

An ACE Roller Coaster Landmark designation is reserved for coasters that are historically significant. To date, 45 roller coasters across the world hold this designation for their special contribution to roller coaster history. Each coaster receives a garden plaque to display in the area of the ride. ACE Communications Director Elizabeth Ringas shared that this recognition is important to ensure that riders, whether it is their first ride or one they return to year after year, take a moment to embrace that the ride they are about to experience is special and rare.

Both of these coasters represent the famed works of roller coaster designer Herbert Schmeck and were constructed by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC).

The Hersheypark Comet, celebrating its 75th anniversary, was the final project for Hersheypark that was approved by park founder and famed chocolatier Milton S. Hershey. Its landmark presentation recognizes not only the significance of Comet in roller coaster history, but also Schmeck’s dedication to delivering thrilling experiences.

Photo: Courtesy Hershypark. View full-sized image.

Built to replace the original Wildcat roller coaster that suffered continued problems with flooding in the park, Comet offers riders the opportunity to savor 3,360 feet of thrills that include a 96-foot drop from the top of the lift hill. The two trains originally featured stationary lap bars and metal rings for riders to hold onto. These were eventually changed to more modern three-seat cars with pull-down lap bars, more commonly referred to as “buzz bars.” (The buzzing sound signaled that the bars could be lowered and locked and unlocked later at the conclusion of the ride.) Comet’s structure was originally painted a foreboding dark forest green. In 1977, the ride was repainted a bright white, similar to the way new wooden coasters at other parks were painted at the time. Until 1956, Schmeck himself was the caretaker, overseeing the maintenance and care of Comet, after his retirement from PTC. To further preserve the ride for future generations to enjoy, major maintenance was performed in 2007 when the roller coaster was retracked.

Photo: Jim Abbate. View full-sized image.

Photo: Courtesy Hershypark. View full-sized image.

Dave Hahner, ACE historian, remarked that “millions of riders since 1946 have enjoyed the airtime-producing thrills that make Comet still one of the most popular rides at Hersheypark.”

“Dorney Park’s Thunderhawk is the oldest example of the work of Schmeck and PTC, built in 1924. Created during what many historians believe was the ‘Golden Age of Roller Coasters’, Thunderhawk, originally just known as Coaster for many decades, is a wonderful example of how a thrilling coaster of yesteryear can be still relevant in today’s modern world’, according to Hahner.

Photo: Sue Yekel. View full-sized image.

Coaster was originally built with an out-and-back layout, but in 1929, Central Park, located on the eastern end of Allentown, built the Skyclone coaster. Dorney Park contacted Schmeck to redesign Coaster to compete. The coaster kept its original lift hill and brake run but was redesigned to a shorter figure-eight layout. The resulting publicity enabled Dorney to gain back some of the business from its competition.

On June 9, 1974, Dr. Robert Cartmell, a renowned coaster enthusiast, wrote an article in the New York Times entitled “The Quest for the Ultimate Roller Coaster,” in which he listed his Top Ten roller coasters. The Dorney Park Coaster was listed as number 10. He described it as follows: “Experienced riders cite the first drop on this coaster as one of their favorites. It's something like being pushed off a cliff into the nearby parking lot. The coaster performs its acrobatics through picnic grounds and finishes with a roar.” In a subsequent presentation, Dr. Cartmell said that Dorney’s Coaster was a personal favorite of his.

Photo: M. Rosenzweig. View full-sized image.

Michael Fehnel, Dorney Park’s vice president and general manager, shared that Thunderhawk was his first big roller coaster and how proud he is of the coaster’s ability to provide so many rides through the years, create memories and offer visitors the rite of passage of riding their first roller coaster.

ACE is proud to commend both Hersheypark and Dorney Park for their continued efforts to ensure their roller coasters offer memorable rides for years to come!

American Coaster Enthusiasts is a nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion, appreciation and safe enjoyment of roller coasters. With 6,000 members worldwide, ACE is the largest and longest-running enthusiast organization in the world. Members of ACE receive exclusive park benefits, newsletters, magazines and the opportunity to attend national, local and even international tours at parks. You can enjoy the benefits of members today! Join at join.aceonline.org.

Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.