Backety-Back Scenic Railway
History
Backety-Back Scenic Railway was built in 1909 by Pennsylvanian John H. Brown and construction of the coaster cost $50,000. Backety-Back Scenic Railway was the only roller coaster Brown would ever build. In 1904, however, he patented the unique track-reversal design which made the coaster a predecessor to modern shuttle roller coasters.
Track layout and ride experience
Being a shuttle roller coaster, Backety-Back Scenic Railway traveled over its course both forwards and backwards. The coaster had two lift hills and also necessitated the operation of a switchman when the coaster had reached the end of its forward progress. Following this reversal, the train would engage a second reversal and continue on its way. The course of the roller coaster was a twister layout and the roller coaster had a curved tunnel in its course as well. Trains had 2 cars of 5 rows apiece, with each row having two riders.
The coaster had a large station which resembled a riverboat in shape. Inside this station was a ticket office (tickets were sold for 10 cents) and the queue for the ride itself.
Incidents
In 1910, a 17-year-old girl, Louise Koch was killed after falling from the Backety-Back Scenic Railway. The coaster had minimal safety features, and the only restraints were the sides of the cars themselves.
References
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Backety-Back Scenic Railway (Crystal Beach)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
- ^ Francis, David W.; Francis, Diane DeMali (2003). The Golden Age of Roller Coasters. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 0738523380. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "List of shuttle roller coasters". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Crystal Beach". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
- ^ Cartmell, Robert (1987). The Incredible Scream Machine: A History of the Roller Coaster. Popular Press. ISBN 0879723424. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
- ^ Hirsch, Rose Ann (2011). Western New York Amusement Parks. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-0738574561. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "List of John H. Brown roller coasters". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
- ^ "Crystal Beach Park (1888-1989)". Closed Canadian Parks. Coaster Enthusiasts of Canada. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
- ^ Rossi, Erno (2005). Crystal Beach: The Good Old Days. Seventy Seven Publishing. ISBN 0920926045. Retrieved August 9, 2013.