Negative-G The Great Escape 2009 Page Eleven

The Great Escape
Lake George, New York
August 2, 2009
Page Eleven

The Comet rollercoaster at The Great Escape, Lake George, New York

The Comet began it's life back in 1926 as legendary coaster designer Harry Traver's Crystal Beach Cyclone. The Cyclone was one of the most extreme coasters ever built. It was so extreme that there was often a nurse in the station to revive riders who had fainted during the ride.

The Comet rollercoaster at The Great Escape, Lake George, New York

The Crystal Beach Cyclone as extreme as it was only lasted until 1946 when the park decided to add something a little easier on the guests and on the massive amount of maintenance that comes along with having such an extreme ride.

The Comet Rollercoaster at The Great Escape, Lake George, New York

So during the winter of 1946 the Cyclone was taken down. To save on costs Crystal Beach reused the steel structure from the Cyclone as well as parts like brakes and motors and the lift in the creation of what would become the Crystal Beach Comet.

The Comet Rollercoaster at The Great Escape, Lake George, New York

The Comet was designed by Herbert Schmeck who was the chief designer for Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters at that time with John Allen; who later brought coasters to the forefront of the amusement park scene in the 1970's working on site as a construction foreman.