CoasterGallery.com -- Coney Island

Coney Island
Brooklyn, New York

Nearly fifty coasters have operated at the various parks of this area! Here is a list of some of the most notable Coney Island roller coasters:

Switchback Railway (1884-1885) This was the world's first coaster! It was built by LaMarcus Thompson and was 600 feet long. Its location is now the site of the New York Aquarium's parking lot.
Flip Flap Railway (1895-1902) The world's first coaster with a loop. It was not successful since the circular loop had extremely high G-forces.
Loop The Loop (1901-1910) While the Flip Flap pulled about 12 G's during its loop, this coaster used an elliptical loop that made it much easier on the riders. Because most people were afraid to ride it, the park made money by charging admission just to watch the ride!
Giant Racer (1911-1926) This large two-track racing coaster operated until 1926 when it was removed to make room for Cyclone.
Big Dipper (1921-1945) Built on the site of the Switchback Railway, it was later named Wildcat and then Comet.
Thunderbolt (1925-2000) This coaster was designed by John Miller. It had a house built right under the track! The beams of the coaster were actually part of the house's structure. It gained notoriety when it was featured in the Woody Allen movie "Annie Hall." The coaster sat abandoned from 1985 until it was demolished in 2000. Recently, a federal jury ruled that the demolition was illegally executed, citing that several city departments acted with "deliberate indifference" to the property rights of Thunderbolt owner Horace Bullard. Bullard is seeking damages of $160 million.
Tornado (1926-1977) Originally known as the Bobs, this coaster was designed by Frederick Church and Thomas Prior. Like most Prior & Church coasters, it featured strongly banked, tight curves. It was destroyed by fire in 1977.
Jumbo Jet (1972-2002) This Schwarzkopf "Jet Star 3" model was reportedly sold to China in 2003, but I have yet to see it reappear.

Coney Island Pictures