I heard that the coaster was beyond repair and experienced 2 fires. No one took care of it! We were too busy taking ourselves to Six Flags to avoid the urban blight at a time when suburbia was the in thing! It was too late for this ride by the time the crime dropped and city living became hip again! We can,t save everything! At least we are restoring the Loew's Kings movie palace from the 1920's.
Thank you for posting this. It's sad. It was by far the wildest roller coaster I ever rode. It was a crime he tore it down. He thought it would be an eyesore for the fans at the new stadium.
@MsYourObsession As I watched this, the image of what appeared to be a black & white photo of a woman jumped out at me at 1:36. I was ready to comment, then I saw yours. So, it isn't just me...good to know. She looks an awful lot like the woman who lived in the house under the Thunderbolt for many years. Very eerie!!!
@DaddyClb See I told my wife the same thing ' The woman's name was Rhona I don't recall the last name . The only reason I remember her name is that her son worked with my father in Brooklyn in the early 1970's. and she would make food for the workers on sundays if anyone had to work late
Guiliani thought he was above the law - his croonies were responsible for the demolition (under the radar) before the conservancy could step in. That was this bozo's style. As a result, NY lost an iconic figure. It ought to have been re-built for the new Luna Park. If someone were smart at Zamperela that's what they would do. As for Guiliani, I'd take him to Times Square and publicly castrate the jerk. That's what he deserves for such a criminal act. Typical short-sighted politician.
Guiliani thought he was above the law - he was responsible for setting up the demolition under the radar before the conservancy could step in. That was this bozo's style. As a result, NY lost an iconic figure. It ought to have been re-built for the new Luna Park. If someone were smart at Zamperela that's what they would do. As for Guiliani, I'd take him to Times Square and publicly castrate the jerk. That's what he deserves for such a criminal act. Typical short-sighted politician.
I had not known it was demolished until I went online one night to pull up a photo to show my mother. What a rude awakening, I cried so hard. No one else was going to CI again yet when we fell in love with this relic so the parking along side of it was like our secret free place. Such a short lived period but so great. I would have taken it all in a bit more had I know then how it would change within 10 yrs. So sad, no regard for history.
Not sure if it's true, but I heard when the wreckage was sitting there a lot of people tried to grab sticks of wood, rusty bolts, anything they could get to keep for a souvenir. Can't blame them much, I would have tried too. That wasn't just a ride, it was American History.
@starshell1000 Yeah probably. There were lots of fans of the Thunderbolt before they closed it in 1983. There are rumors that the signs for the thunderbolt is in the playland building behind the thunderbolt site. Im not sure.
my DAd worked in this ride and I ran around in that yard with the dogs and when I see this Video, it makes me want to cry, it was a big part of my childhood. My Father was in an accident in 1978, he tried to stop a fire on the first drop and the car came up and took him down, he lost his leg and survived through it. A lot of Memories. Lu
Dee, I will never forget the night I rode the Thunderbolt - in August of 1977. By that time, it was already looking like it was about to fall down any minute, which as you said made it that much more frightening an experience to ride. I can remember the drunk (and I mean it) old men who were running it that night, and how the seats in the cars were literally covered with duct tape. But even as old and "beat up" as the Thunderbolt was, it still ran as well as the day it opened.
THey were actually discussing fixing t-bolt before tearing it down, but it was decided that it was largely unneeded, since it's track layout was nearly identical to that of the cyclone.
mbren28568, everything you said is completely wrong. John Miller's layout for the Thunderbolt included double dips and an underground drop, neither of which are on the Cyclone. Blossom is correct, the coaster was torn down because the Mayor of NYC didn't want it's "ugly" remains affecting the view from the new minor league ball park he had just gotten to open next to it. And Blossom, I did get to ride the Thunderbolt - and trust me the the experience was priceless!!
OK, first I want to say that I never tryed this coaster because I'm born in 1983, second I never knew that this roller coaster existed because I live in Montreal. I only saw it in Requiem For A Dream (2000) and I wanted to knew more about it because it looked massive, dark, spooky, awesome, and ghostly. Then I heard it got destroyed for a.... parking of a ugly stadium. I'm pissed off!! Ok, it would have been too risky to open it again but at least keep it as you did for the Parachute Tower...
damn teartear at least the cyclon3 still ther tear tear i love it baqq in d daiis now is dum my time was d 90's but i got to ride the cyclone and it wsas fun but i herd this ridewas a hundred times better nd how did it burn nd stuf wat happend??
I will never forgive Guiliani for having it torn down in the middle of the night because it was supposedly an "eye sore" to his new stadium. It was about to be landmarked!! I rode it in the 1980s and it was even scarier than the Cyclone if that is possible-felt like it was going to disintegrate while we were on it--but i think that added to the fun. There will be one like that again.
Yes if only if they fixed it up and maybe it would of been Coney Isalnd's best rollar coaster. I remember seeing this rollar coaster from the highway across Coney Island. It was one of NY's greatest things that are not here today like the WTC.
I heard that the coaster was beyond repair and experienced 2 fires. No one took care of it! We were too busy taking ourselves to Six Flags to avoid the urban blight at a time when suburbia was the in thing! It was too late for this ride by the time the crime dropped and city living became hip again! We can,t save everything! At least we are restoring the Loew's Kings movie palace from the 1920's.
jimamia77 2 months ago
I miss it , never saw it run and hoped like most it would be restored . Most people never noticed the hotel or new much about it .
fairground1976 3 months ago
Thank you for posting this. It's sad. It was by far the wildest roller coaster I ever rode. It was a crime he tore it down. He thought it would be an eyesore for the fans at the new stadium.
DeeGirlNYC 5 months ago
1:37 it looks like a girl under the rubble. freaked me out . am i the only one who sees this?
MsYourObsession 11 months ago
@MsYourObsession Where in the pic are you seeing it?
ZachManN64 11 months ago
@MsYourObsession 0.0 I see what you're talking about. look under the guard rail in the bottom right corner...
thenewUSA 10 months ago
@thenewUSA Oh I see it now. It is spooky.
ZachManN64 10 months ago
@MsYourObsession As I watched this, the image of what appeared to be a black & white photo of a woman jumped out at me at 1:36. I was ready to comment, then I saw yours. So, it isn't just me...good to know. She looks an awful lot like the woman who lived in the house under the Thunderbolt for many years. Very eerie!!!
DaddyClb 9 months ago
@DaddyClb See I told my wife the same thing ' The woman's name was Rhona I don't recall the last name . The only reason I remember her name is that her son worked with my father in Brooklyn in the early 1970's. and she would make food for the workers on sundays if anyone had to work late
msanderson890 6 months ago
Guiliani thought he was above the law - his croonies were responsible for the demolition (under the radar) before the conservancy could step in. That was this bozo's style. As a result, NY lost an iconic figure. It ought to have been re-built for the new Luna Park. If someone were smart at Zamperela that's what they would do. As for Guiliani, I'd take him to Times Square and publicly castrate the jerk. That's what he deserves for such a criminal act. Typical short-sighted politician.
MrFlipfly 11 months ago 2
Guiliani thought he was above the law - he was responsible for setting up the demolition under the radar before the conservancy could step in. That was this bozo's style. As a result, NY lost an iconic figure. It ought to have been re-built for the new Luna Park. If someone were smart at Zamperela that's what they would do. As for Guiliani, I'd take him to Times Square and publicly castrate the jerk. That's what he deserves for such a criminal act. Typical short-sighted politician.
MrFlipfly 11 months ago
i actually rode this in 1983 during my highschool days.lol
gillmore718 1 year ago
Please rebuild this again <3
Kell1295 1 year ago
Went to Coney Island in 1993 and the Thunderbolt looked like a Roller Coaster covered with Vines. It was sad.
I really wanted to ride it. Now I hear the Whole Coney Island Astro Land is going or gone. So Sad.
This is great listing and I thank you.
TL250Rider 1 year ago
@TL250Rider Your welcome and astroland is gone :( im making a 10 year video in november.
ZachManN64 1 year ago
I had not known it was demolished until I went online one night to pull up a photo to show my mother. What a rude awakening, I cried so hard. No one else was going to CI again yet when we fell in love with this relic so the parking along side of it was like our secret free place. Such a short lived period but so great. I would have taken it all in a bit more had I know then how it would change within 10 yrs. So sad, no regard for history.
BreezesofConey 1 year ago
Not sure if it's true, but I heard when the wreckage was sitting there a lot of people tried to grab sticks of wood, rusty bolts, anything they could get to keep for a souvenir. Can't blame them much, I would have tried too. That wasn't just a ride, it was American History.
starshell1000 1 year ago
@starshell1000 Yeah probably. There were lots of fans of the Thunderbolt before they closed it in 1983. There are rumors that the signs for the thunderbolt is in the playland building behind the thunderbolt site. Im not sure.
ZachManN64 1 year ago
Thanks, RIP THUNDERBOLT and Mae Timpano. Great version of "While my Guiitar."
sweenykim 2 years ago
This is the result of man's greed for money and no respect for history.
sandandmusic 2 years ago
my DAd worked in this ride and I ran around in that yard with the dogs and when I see this Video, it makes me want to cry, it was a big part of my childhood. My Father was in an accident in 1978, he tried to stop a fire on the first drop and the car came up and took him down, he lost his leg and survived through it. A lot of Memories. Lu
brooklynlulu 2 years ago
Dee, I will never forget the night I rode the Thunderbolt - in August of 1977. By that time, it was already looking like it was about to fall down any minute, which as you said made it that much more frightening an experience to ride. I can remember the drunk (and I mean it) old men who were running it that night, and how the seats in the cars were literally covered with duct tape. But even as old and "beat up" as the Thunderbolt was, it still ran as well as the day it opened.
mikeymars 2 years ago
Why not just build another one, plans for it have to exist somewhere.
Tamadrummer1981 2 years ago
how did it get destroyed?
supersaiyangoku11219 2 years ago
THey were actually discussing fixing t-bolt before tearing it down, but it was decided that it was largely unneeded, since it's track layout was nearly identical to that of the cyclone.
mbren28568 2 years ago
mbren28568, everything you said is completely wrong. John Miller's layout for the Thunderbolt included double dips and an underground drop, neither of which are on the Cyclone. Blossom is correct, the coaster was torn down because the Mayor of NYC didn't want it's "ugly" remains affecting the view from the new minor league ball park he had just gotten to open next to it. And Blossom, I did get to ride the Thunderbolt - and trust me the the experience was priceless!!
mikeymars 2 years ago
Ghostly?....
blossom1994 2 years ago
OK, first I want to say that I never tryed this coaster because I'm born in 1983, second I never knew that this roller coaster existed because I live in Montreal. I only saw it in Requiem For A Dream (2000) and I wanted to knew more about it because it looked massive, dark, spooky, awesome, and ghostly. Then I heard it got destroyed for a.... parking of a ugly stadium. I'm pissed off!! Ok, it would have been too risky to open it again but at least keep it as you did for the Parachute Tower...
facefantome 2 years ago 4
damn teartear at least the cyclon3 still ther tear tear i love it baqq in d daiis now is dum my time was d 90's but i got to ride the cyclone and it wsas fun but i herd this ridewas a hundred times better nd how did it burn nd stuf wat happend??
blossom1994 2 years ago
In 1983 the ride closed because it had alot of problems and was demolished by the city in 2000.
ZachManN64 2 years ago
I will never forgive Guiliani for having it torn down in the middle of the night because it was supposedly an "eye sore" to his new stadium. It was about to be landmarked!! I rode it in the 1980s and it was even scarier than the Cyclone if that is possible-felt like it was going to disintegrate while we were on it--but i think that added to the fun. There will be one like that again.
DeeGirlNYC 2 years ago
Yes if only if they fixed it up and maybe it would of been Coney Isalnd's best rollar coaster. I remember seeing this rollar coaster from the highway across Coney Island. It was one of NY's greatest things that are not here today like the WTC.
ZachManN64 2 years ago
those cruel anti-amusement park entrepreneurs! First global warming, and now this!
canadia7x 2 years ago
Wonderful video. Thanks.
Demonridesthemoon 3 years ago
they could have and should have brought that poor old coaster back
towertooth456 3 years ago
Yeah I know right they could fix it but its gone.
ZachManN64 3 years ago
Nice tribute, too bad it is gone and they never fixed it up.
AeroStones64 3 years ago