Palisades Amusement Park Harry G. Traver Cyclone roller coaster clips - May 14, 1932

[woodencoasterfan]

Amazing footage as always. Didn't the Wildcat at HersheyPark try and copy that first drop?

[123ZAC4567890]

Except for the guy from the high diver act, anyone notice EVERY MAN in this film footage at the park is wearing a NECK TIE! ! ! ! - ya, they're all dressed to the hilt.

Really a very different time! VERY COOL!

[Fantasygold2]

That looks painful at shit .___.' Scary coaster

[jumpbacktome]

Even though this coaster looks absolutely monstrous, I would KILL to take a ride, just to say I did so. I wonder if it would be as extreme as it looks. This clip is amazing!

[123ZAC4567890]

@jumpbacktome An account of a soldier riding it. He described graphic natures of it saying 'the drop into the figure 8 turn was way too fast.' and 'the rest was a blur after one point. It was apparently pretty sickening and I don't wish to paraphrase him nor even describe that. Mentioned also there was a nurse stationed at the exit to help if you weren't physically hurt. Had to be one of the most brutal and violent rides and I'D GIVE ANYTHING TO RIDE IT. THE SIMULATION'S GREAT.rebuild please.

[Ffwee]

Well there's something I didn't think I'd ever see. If I remember correctly - and it's been a few years since I read a book about Harry Traver - but wasn't The Cyclone at Palisades Park the most intense of the 3 coasters due to the fact that he had less space to work with, and had to really cram the coaster in there, resulting in a faster ride? In any case, you just blew my socks off - thank you so much for taking the trouble to post this.

[luvmyrecords]

Look how well dressed everyone is! *sigh*

[22handyjerseyguy]

omg this is great! a true honor

[123ZAC456789]

MAN ALIVE! ! ! ! How did he ever go from the Cyclone model at Revere Beach which was very exciting - to this unreal monster in only 5 years? The Lightning at Revere Beach was built in 1929 - and lasted 11 years I believe. Meanwhile the Cyclone lasted from 1925 to 1969 and I rode it in 1967 and 1968. I was hooked for life and drive thousands of miles for good coasters. None seem to compare with the Cyclone at Revere - I can't imagine what this was like - My dad said he rode it - "Scary!"

[Farenheit4051]

@123ZAC456789 The Revere Beach Cyclone was tame compared to this. Revere Beach had a coaster identical to the one shown here; it was named "Lightning" because they already had a coaster named "Cyclone".

The Lightning was tied with the Cyclones at Crystal Beach and Palisades park as some the most intense coasters in history.

[clintbronson5]

Thanks for this. Would be GREAT to see Harry Travers LIGHTNING arguably the most SCARIEST coaster ever built

[jimmyhd1969]

This is not Palisades Park, it's Crystal Beach. The Cyclone in Palisades Park was originally called Skyrocket before being nearly destroyed in a fire in 1944. The Cyclone in Crystal beach was remodeled and renamed The Comet was was eventally moved to the Great Escape near Lake George.

[swampfoxer]

@jimmyhd1969

I assure you this is Palisades Park. The coaster in this video was one of several at Palisades Park in the 30's. When the Skyrocket burned, they rebuilt it and named it Cyclone. By that time, the one in this video had been torn down. Also, the Crystal Beach Cyclone you are referring to was one of 3 identical twins. There was another one at Revere Beach, MA. But once again, this video clip is 100% Palisades Park.

[safe321]

Amazingly good quality footage! Thanks for posting!

[marvintheboon]

I remember seeing Jane Mansfield in the crowd back in the 60's at Palisades. The wild mouse was the scariest ride I ever went on.

[fncz]

The riders in the figure 8 look like they are GLUES into the seats. It would be great to see in slo-mo.

Thanks SFer you are the BEST!!

[kennywoodjoe]

Who's the guy at the end?

[swampfoxer]

@kennywoodjoe - the guy at the end was one of the divers, from the high dive act at Palisades.

[alienshinobi84]

I've read that this coaster was so Intense, that there was a first aid station at the unloading platform.

[Tunnelfish]

@alienshinobi84 And a nurse.

[DaddyClb]

Very cool footage, SF!!! This cyclone looks amazingly similar to Traver's Crystal Beach monster. Thanx for posting this gem!

[Farenheit4051]

@DaddyClb Traver built three identical rides- Cyclone (shown here), Cyclone (at Crystal Beach), and Lightning (at Revere Beach).

[KatieGoLucky]

MY GOD. Thank you so much for uploading this. This is the most amazing video I have ever seen. I love and adore Harry Traver and his coasters... and it just blew my mind to see this all in action in front of me. Thank you~ <3

[chimayai]

Holy God..How freaking epic is THAT

[AdrenalineAddict610]

One word: INTENSE

[fncz]

AGAIN SF.......THANKS!! Why does this thing look SO much wilder than what we are riding today? They are building some incredible rides, but for some reason this thing ( and it's sisters) look SO much more intense and sinister!

[mesmoland]

What a fantastic clip ! Thanks for sharing.

[chattychar]

is it just me, or does the roller coaster look poorly constructed? no wonder those people were freaked out.

[doald]

I think that was the idea to look like it was falling down , nice corners on it .

[Farenheit4051]

@chattychar Yes, it was very poorly designed. The structure was unable to handle the force of the train, and had to be replaced constantly.

I firmly believe this ride could be rebuilt, with better supports and smoother transitions.

[abigllama]

Amazing as always Swampfoxer.  It's funny how whenever you see clips of people on a Traver Cyclone they're always hanging on for dear life. They always look really freaked out rather than the usual playful types on coasters.

[makeshiftperfection]

Amazing! How did you get this? I've always wanted to see this monster in action.

[crubeo]

Where did you find this clip?!?

[crubeo]

WOW!