Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC) is one of the oldest existing roller coaster manufacturing companies in the world. Based in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, it was established in 1904 by Henry B. Auchy and Chester Albright under the name Philadelphia Toboggan Company. The company manufactured carousels, wooden roller coasters, toboggans (roller coaster cars) and later, roller coaster trains.
History
The Philadelphia Toboggan Company was incorporated on January 20, 1904.
It built and designed roller coasters until 1979. Notable designers included Joe McKee, John A. Miller, Herbert Schmeck, Frank Hoover, and John C. Allen. When Allen retired as president in 1976, the company stopped designing roller coasters but continued to work on coaster projects until 1979 when it exited the coaster-construction industry permanently.
The company manufactured carousels known for their elaborate carvings and decorations. It expanded with the acquisition of the inventory of the Dentzel Carousel Company in 1927. Lead carvers included Daniel Carl Muller, Leo Zoller, John Zalar, and Frank Caretta. Examples of the company's carousels (manufactured 1904–1934) exist throughout the United States.
The Philadelphia Toboggan Company built the Rollo Coaster at Idlewild Park in 1938, and the carousel for the same amusement park in 1931. The company manufactured Skee Ball games from 1946 to 1977. In 1926, PTC was granted a trademark on a new name, Philtobco.
Flying Turns
Developed by J. Norman Bartlett and John Miller, the Flying Turns coasters came to the attention of PTC. Recognizing the ride's potential, PTC signed a licensing agreement with Bartlett and Miller to market the ride in North America—with the exception of the state of California. With the arrival of the Great Depression, PTC built only one in 1931, at Rocky Point Amusement Park. The coaster was engineered by Herbert Schmeck, but experienced problems. The ride opened late in the summer and Schmeck stayed on site for some time before he was able to get the ride operating consistently. The ride was damaged beyond repair by a storm on September 21, 1938. Though Bartlett and Miller went on to build several more Flying Turns-type coasters, PTC never proposed another. Rebbie was appointed president. In 2007 he bought out Dauphinee to become the sole owner, and changed the company's name to Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. (PTCI). The company continues to manufacture roller coaster trains, queue gates and fin brakes.
List of roller coasters
<!-- This is a list of existing projects and CONFIRMED future projects. "Confirmed" means the park has issued a press release announcing it (acceptable) or a reliable source (i.e., local newspaper) has published an article mentioning its construction (preferable). This is not a wish-list nor is it a place for speculation and rumor. -->
As of 2019, Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters has built 127 roller coasters <!--see ref--> around the world.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!PTC # !! Name !! Park !! Country !! Opened !! Status !! class="unsortable" | Details
|-
|1
| Figure 8 Toboggan || Pine Beach Park
(Norfolk, Virginia)
| United States || 1904 || ||Figure eight layout. Designed by Henry B. Auchy.
|-
|2
| Toboggan Figure 8 || Vinewood Park
(Topeka, Kansas)
| United States || 1904 || ||Figure eight layout. Designed by Henry B. Auchy.
|-
|12
|Unknown
|Dreamland
(Coney Island, New York)
| United States
|1907||
|Designed by Chester E. Albright. Burnt down.
|-
|20
| Jack Rabbit || Willough Beach Park
(Willoughby, Ohio)
| United States || 1915 || || Designed by Joe A. McKee, construction supervisor Baker.
|-
|21
|Unknown
|Revere Beach
| United States
|1916
|
|Designed by Joe A. McKee, construction supervisor Edward E. Rhoads.
|-
|23 / 91
| Wild One <br><small>Formerly Giant Coaster</small>
|Six Flags America <br><small>Paragon Park</small>
| United States
|1986 <br><small>1917-1985</small>
|
|Designed by John A. Miller, construction supervisor William Strickler.
|-
|24
| Forest Ride || Ross Grove / Ross Farms (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) || United States || 1917 || ||
|-
|25
|Unknown
|Euclid Beach Park
| United States
|1917
|
|
|-
|27
| Forest Ride ||Willow Grove Park|| United States || 1919 || ||
|-
|28
| Jack Rabbit ||Clementon Park|| United States || 1919 || || Designed by John A. Miller.
|-
|32
| Racer Dip ||Bay Shore Park|| United States || 1920 || || Designed by John A. Miller, construction supervisor Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|39a
| Wildcat || Frederick Road Park || United States || 1923 || ||
|-
|40
| Ski Ride ||Broad Ripple Park|| United States || 1924 || ||Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|52
| Sky Rocket ||Elitch Gardens|| United States || 1926 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck. Later renovated into Wildcat (PTC serial number 98).
|-
|53
| Wildcat ||Coney Island|| United States || 1926 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|54
| Twister ||Coney Island|| United States || 1926 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|55
| Kids Coaster ||Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden|| United States || 1926 || ||Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|56
| Wildcat ||Rocky Point Park|| United States || 1926 || ||Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|57
| Express || Brandywine Picnic Park || United States || 1926 || ||Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|59
| Wildcat || Fernbrook Park || United States || 1926 || ||Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck. Dismantled in 1945; its wood was used to build Sterling's "Million Dollar" Coaster at Rocky Glen Park in Moosic, PA in 1946.
|-
|60
| Coaster || Laurel Park || United States || 1926 || ||Designed by Herbert Paul Schmeck. Sold for lumber at end of 1935.
|-
|60a / 82
| Wildcat || Joyland Park || United States || 1926 / 1929 || ||Conflicting reports on 1926 or 1929 opening and serial number 60a or 82. Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck; construction supervisor Frank H. Hoover.
|-
|61
|Wildcat||Lake Compounce|| United States || 1927 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|62
| Twister || Croops Glen || United States || 1927 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|63
| Wildcat || Edgewood Park || United States || 1927 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|64
| Wild Cat ||Woodside Park|| United States || 1927 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|70
| Bear Cat || Sans Souci Park || United States || 1928 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|71
| Twister || Warner Park || United States || 1928 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|72
| Wildcat || Brady Lake Park || United States || 1928 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|73
| Wildcat || Rocky Springs Park || United States || 1928 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck; construction supervisor James L. Martz.
|-
|74
| Twister || McCullough Lake Park || United States || 1928 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck; construction supervisor George J. Baker.
|-
|75
| Zip ||White City (Shrewsbury, Massachusetts) || United States || 1928 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|76
| Wildcat || Erie Beach Park || Canada || 1928 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|83
| Wildcat || Idora Park|| United States || 1930 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck; construction supervisor Harry C. Baker. Heavily damaged by fire on April 26, 1984. Remnants remained standing until July 26, 2001.
|-
|85
| Wildcat || Lakeside Park || United States || 1930 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck; construction supervisors Frank F. Hoover and James L. Martz.
|-
|86 / 92
| Yankee Cannonball<br><small>Formerly Greyhound<br>Formerly Roller Coaster</small> || Canobie Lake Park<br><small>Lakewood Park</small> || United States || 1936<br><small>1930 to 1935</small> || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck; construction supervisor Frank F. Hoover. Relocated to current park and assigned new serial number after 1935 season.
|-
|89
|Unknown
|Mid City Park (Albany, New York)
| United States
|1931||
|Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|Unknown
| Blue Flyer<br><small>Formerly Zipper Dipper</small> || Blackpool Pleasure Beach || United Kingdom || 1934 || || Believed to have been built by Charlie Paige and possibly with Harry Traver's assistance. Serial number unknown.
|-
|94
| Teddy Bear || Coney Island || United States || 1935 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|95
| Teddy Bear || Kennywood || United States || 1935 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck; construction supervisor Andy Vettel.
|-
|96
| Whirlwind || Ocean Pier || United States || 1935 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck. Destroyed by fire. Discrepancy on whether serial number 98 or 99. Renovation designed by Herbert P. Schmeck. Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|100
| Shooting Star<br><small>Formerly Clipper</small> || Coney Island || United States || 1937 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|101
| Rollo Coaster || Idlewild and Soak Zone || United States || 1938 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|102
|Alps
|Willow Grove Park
| United States
|1939||
|Ride originally built in 1905 by LaMarcus A. Thompson and John Miller. Altered in 1939 by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|104
| Comet || Pleasure Pier || United States || 1942 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|105
| Comet || Forest Park Highlands Amusement Park || United States || 1941 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|106
|Wildcat
|Salisbury Beach (Salisbury, Massachusetts)
| United States
|1941||
|Alterations to Comet roller coaster that originally opened in 1922. Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|108
| Cyclone || Palisades Amusement Park || United States || 1945 || || Alterations to Skyrocket roller coaster that originally opened in 1926. Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck; construction supervisor Joe A. McKee.
|-
|109
| Comet|| Hersheypark|| United States || 1946 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck; construction supervisor Frank F. Hoover.
|-
|110
| Comet || Meyer's Lake Park || United States || 1947 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck; construction supervisor William Marquet.
|-
|111
| Phoenix<br><small>Formerly Rocket</small> || Knoebels Amusement Park & Resort<br><small>Playland Park</small> || United States || 1985<br><small>1948 to 1980</small> || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|112
| Comet || Great Escape<br><small>Crystal Beach Park</small> || United States || 1994<br><small>1948 to 1989</small> || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck. Relocation performed by Martin & Vleminckx.
|-
|113
| Nightmare<br><small>Formerly Roller Coaster</small> || Joyland || United States || 1949 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck; construction supervisor Frank F. Hoover.
|-
|114
| Little Dipper || Hoppyland || United States || 1949 || || Junior coaster for John Lorman of Venice, California. Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck; construction supervisor Rudy Illions.
|-
|115
| Little Dipper|| Six Flags Great America<br><small>Kiddieland</small>|| United States || 2010<br><small>1950 to 2009</small>|| || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck; construction supervisor Frank F. Hoover.
|-
|116
| Comet || Ghost Town on the River || United States || 1951 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|117
| Comet || Waldameer || United States || 1951 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck; construction supervisor James L. Martz.
|-
|118
| Jet Star<br><small>Formerly Rocket<br>Formerly Jet<br>Formerly Jack Rabbit</small>|| Olympic Park || United States || 1951 || || 1950 1952 Badly damaged in by a storm. Rebuilt and altered Philadelphia Toboggan Company based on Herbert Schmeck's design with work completed the season |Originally built in 1925; alterations by Herbert P. Schmeck and John A. Miller.
|
|-
|120
| Meteor<br><small>Formerly Little Dipper</small>|| Little Amerricka
<small>Hillcrest Park<br>Kiddytown</small>
| United States || 2006<br><small>1967 to 2003<br>1953 to 1966</small>|| || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|
|-
|121
| Roller Coaster || Funland || United States || 1954 || || Designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
|-
|122a
| Little Dipper || Belmont Park || United States || 1955 || || Designed by Mitchell.
|-
|123
| Flyer || Hunt's Pier || United States || 1957 || || Designed by John C. Allen; construction supervisor James L. Martz.
|-
|124
| Valley Volcano || Angela Park || United States || 1956 || ||
|-
|
| Sea Dragon<br><small>Formerly Jet Flyer</small> || Columbus Zoo and Aquarium || United States || 1956 || ||
|-
|
| Comet<br><small>Formerly Mighty Lightnin<br>Formerly Ghost Town Jet</small> || Rocky Glen || United States || 1959 || ||
|-
|
| Tornado || Wedgewood Village || United States || 1961 || ||
|-
|
| Blue Streak || Cedar Point || United States || 1964 || ||
|-
|
| Mr. Twister || Elitch Gardens || United States || 1964 || ||
|-
|
| Jetstream || Riverview Park || United States || 1964 || ||
|-
|
| Skyliner || Fair Park || United States || 1965 || ||
|-
|
| Swamp Fox || Family Kingdom Amusement Park || United States || 1966 || ||
|-
|
| Cannon Ball || Lake Winnepesaukah || United States || 1967 || ||
|-
|
| Zingo || Bell's Amusement Park || United States || 1968 || ||
|-
|
| Tornado || Petticoat Junction || United States || 1970 || ||
|-
|
| Racer || Kings Island || United States || 1972 || ||
|-
|
| Woodstock Express<br><small>Formerly Fairly Odd Coaster<br>Formerly Beastie<br>Formerly Scooby Doo</small> || Kings Island || United States || 1972 || ||
|-
|
| Great American Scream Machine || Six Flags Over Georgia || United States || 1973 || ||
|-
|
| Comet || Funway Amusement Park || United States || 1973 || ||
|-
|
| Woodstock Express<br><small>Formerly Ghoster Coaster<br>Formerly Scooby-Doo's Ghoster Coaster<br>FormerlyScooby Doo</small> || Kings Dominion || United States || 1974 || ||
|-
|
| Woodstock Express<br><small>Formerly Fairly Odd Coaster<br>Formerly Scooby Doo's Ghoster Coaster<br>Formerly Scooby Doo</small> || Carowinds || United States || 1975 || ||
|-
|
| Racer 75<br><small>Formerly Rebel Yell</small> || Kings Dominion || United States || 1975 || ||
|-
|
| Screamin' Eagle || Six Flags St. Louis || United States || 1976 || ||
|-
|
| Thunder Road || Carowinds || United States || 1976 || ||
|-
|
| Skyliner|| Lakemont Park<br><small>Roseland Park</small> || United States || 1987<br><small>1960 to 1985</small> || || <br>
|-
|
| Starliner || Cypress Gardens<br><small>Miracle Strip Amusement Park</small> || United States || 2007<br><small>1963 to 2004</small> || || <br>
|-
|
| Black Diamond<br><small>Formerly Golden Nugget</small> || Knoebels Amusement Park & Resort<br><small>Dinosaur Beach</small> || United States || 2011<br><small>1960 to 1998</small> || || <br>
|
|-
|
| Shooting Star || Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe<br><small>Lakeside Park</small> || United States || <br><small>1968 to 1986</small> || || <br>
|-
|}
Carousels
Most PTC carousels were numbered, so they are easily identified. Most have been moved from their original opening locations. PTC carousels that are still operating or in restoration:
{| class= "wikitable sortable"
|-
! PTC # !! Owner !! City, State !! Year built !! class=unsortable|Notes !! class=unsortable|Ref(s)
|-
| 6 || Kit Carson Co. Fairgrounds || Burlington, Colorado || || Originally built for Elitch Gardens in 1905, it was removed and sold to Kit Carson County in 1928 in favor of the new, more modern PTC #51. ||
|-
| 9 || Carousel of Pottstown || Pottstown, Pennsylvania || || Restoration completed November 2016 ||
|-
| 15 || Palisades Center Mall || West Nyack, New York || || Philadelphia Toboggan Company Carousel Number 15; removed 2009 ||
|-
| 17 || Six Flags Over Georgia || Atlanta, Georgia || || Riverview Carousel at Six Flags Over Georgia ||
|-
| 18 || Destiny USA || Syracuse, New York || || ||
|-
| 19 || Western Reserve Historical Society || Cleveland, Ohio || || Formerly Euclid Beach Park (1910–1969); Palace Playland (1970s–1996); returned to Ohio in 1996 and restoration completed November 2014 ||
|-
| 21 || Six Flags Magic Mountain || Valencia, California || || ||
|-
| 30 || Luna Park, Melbourne || St Kilda, Melbourne Australia || || ||
|-
| 33 || Como Park || St. Paul, Minnesota || || ||
|-
| 35 || Six Flags St. Louis || Eureka, Missouri || || ||
|-
| 39 || Lake Winnepesaukah || Rossville, Georgia || || ||
|-
| 43 || Washington State Fair || Puyallup, Washington || || ||
|-
| 44 || Kings Dominion || Doswell, Virginia || || ||
|-
| 45 || Woodland Park Zoo || Seattle, Washington || || ||
|-
| 46 || Magic Kingdom || Bay Lake, Florida || || Prince Charming Regal Carrousel ||
|-
| 47 || Hersheypark || Hershey, Pennsylvania || || ||
|-
| 49 || Louisville Zoo || Louisville, Kentucky || || Formerly Clementon Park, Clementon, NJ (1919–1997) ||
|-
| 50 || City of Hampton || Hampton, Virginia || || ||
|-
| 51 || Elitch Gardens Theme Park || Denver, Colorado || || Built for the original northwest location of Elitch Gardens to replace PTC #6, it, along with many of Elitch Gardens' original rides, were moved to the park's Downtown Denver location in 1995. ||
|-
| 53 || Charles N. Walker || Griffin, Georgia || || ||
|-
| 54 || Battleship Cove || Fall River, Massachusetts || || ||
|-
| 59 || Peddler's Village || Lahaska, Pennsylvania || || || [https://www.peddlersvillage.com/kids/grand-carousel]
|-
| 61 || David and Jane Walentas || Brooklyn, New York || || Formerly Idora Park, Youngstown, Ohio (1922–1984); now known as Jane's Carousel ||
|-
| 62 || Santa Monica Pier || Santa Monica, California || || ||
|-
| 67 || Carowinds || Charlotte, North Carolina || || ||
|-
| 72 || Sonny's Place || Somers, Connecticut || || Formerly Kiddieland Amusement Park, Melrose Place, Ill. (1952–2009) ||
|-
| 75 || Gillians Wonderland Pier and Island Waterpark || Ocean City, New Jersey || || Formerly Fernbrook Park, Dallas, PA, (1926–1944)
Formerly Rolling Green Park, Sellinsgrove, PA, (1944–1972)
||
|-
| 76 || Valleyfair || Shakopee, Minnesota || || ||
|-
| 79 || Kings Island || Mason, Ohio || || Formerly Coney Island, Cincinnati (1926–1971) ||
|-
| 80 || Holyoke Heritage State Park || Holyoke, Massachusetts || || Holyoke Merry-Go-Round, originally built for Mountain Park which shuttered in 1987, preservation campaign moved to Heritage State Park in 1993 ||
|-
| 83 || Idlewild Park || Ligonier, Pennsylvania || || ||
|-
| 84 || Canada's Wonderland || Vaughan, Ontario, Canada || || ||
|-
| 85 || Carousel Station (formerly part of Paragon Park) || Hull, Massachusetts || || ||
|-
| 87 || Family Kingdom || Myrtle Beach, South Carolina || || Mechanism only - Horses Replaced - formerly Asbury Park, NJ, Casino ||
|-
|}
Funhouse items
Beginning before World War II, PTC was involved with the booming dark ride and funhouse business. It spawned the company Funni-Frite Industries of Lancaster, Columbus, and (later) Pickerington, Ohio, which ceased manufacturing operations in 2000.
- Laffing Sal - automated funhouse character/amusement device
See also
- Philadelphia Toboggan Company Carousel Number 15, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.
References
External links
- Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc.
- European Coaster Club PTC Database
- PTC Carousel 30 in Australia Homepages
- PTC Carousel 87 at Family Kingdom Amusement Park, Myrtle Beach SC