Silver Comet (roller coaster)

The Silver Comet is a wooden roller coaster with a hybrid steel frame at Niagara Amusement Park & Splash World in Grand Island, New York.^[2]

Silver Comet
Station
Niagara Amusement Park & Splash World
Location	Niagara Amusement Park & Splash World
Coordinates	43°01′42″N 78°58′26″W
Status	Operating
Opening date	May 1, 1999[1]
General statistics
Type	Wood
Manufacturer	Custom Coasters International
Designer	Dennis McNulty & Larry Bill
Track layout	Triple Out and Back
Lift/launch system	Chain lift
Height	82 ft (25 m)
Drop	82 ft (25 m)
Length	2,800 ft (850 m)
Speed	55 mph (89 km/h)
Duration	1:45
Max vertical angle	50°
Height restriction	48 in (122 cm)
Trains	Single train with 6 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 24 riders per train.
Silver Comet at RCDB

First hill on the roller coaster

Walkthrough

A short drop is encountered immediately after leaving the station, quickly followed by a slight turn to the left. There is a short, straight section of track that is then followed by a U-turn to the left, leading to the 82-foot (25-metre) lift hill. The largest drop on the ride comes immediately after the train reaches the top of the lift hill, which is then followed by a slight turn to the left. Two small hills are encountered, before a large ascent that is followed by a wide-banked turn to the left and a small drop. There is a slight turn to the right followed by a large drop. There is another ascent that leads into a large U-turn to the right. There is another drop and ascent, followed by another turn to the right. A third grouping of a drop and ascent is encountered, followed this time by a turn to the left. A large drop is followed by a series of small hills, which lead into a rough turn to the left that includes changes in elevation. There is another series of drops and rises, followed by a slight turn to the right and the brake run, parallel to the lift hill. A small drop follows the brake run, which in turn leads into the station.

Station

The Silver Comet station uses a similar design from the former Comet station at Crystal Beach Park. It is a wide building with a few comets on its facade. Both it and the old Comet station had a tower saying "comet" in five colors.

Train

There is one six-car train, with each car seating four riders for a total of 24 riders Each car contains individual lapbars, seat belts for each rider, and seat dividers. The train was built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. The train was originally Purple, later painted to look like a comet (Red, Orange, Yellow), and eventually was painted a metallic blue. The train itself however, was sold following the parks closure in 2020. It was initially sold to get refurbished, but was repurchased by the newly reopened Niagara Amusement Park. The new train is still metallic blue, with red, white, or green stars on the side of the first, second, and last car.

Trivia

• The Silver Comet was inspired by the Comet roller coaster that is currently located at Six Flags Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor.
• This roller coaster has been placed in the top 50 worldwide wooden roller coaster list as of 2010.

References

1. Throgmorton, Todd (2015). Roller Coasters: United States and Canada, Fourth edition. McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 158. ISBN 9781476622118. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
2. "Silver Comet". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 20 January 2014.