| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Amusement rides |
| Fate | Renamed to Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters |
| Headquarters | Hatfield, Pennsylvania |
| Key people | Tom Rebbie President/CEO |
| Products | Roller coaster cars and trains |
| Website | Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters |
The Philadelphia Toboggan Company is one of the oldest existing roller coaster manufacturing companies in the world.[note 1] Based in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, it was established in 1904 by Henry B. Auchy and Chester Albright, making various amusement devices, including carousels, wooden roller coasters, and their trains. "Auchey" is a not-uncommon misspelling of Auchy's name; the correct spelling is documented in literature and photos from the company. The company's carousels were preferred among discriminating clients, for their elaborate carvings and elegant decorations. Among their lead carvers were Daniel Carl Muller, Leo Zoller, John Zalar and, most importantly, Frank Caretta. Fine examples of the company's carousels (manufactured from 1904–1934) exist throughout the United States. A few of the rides the Philadelphia Toboggan Company built include the Rollo Coaster at Idlewild Park in 1938, and the Carousel for the same amusement park in 1931. The company also manufactured Skee Ball machines for many years. In 1926, PTC was granted a trademark on a new name, Philtobco, created in an apparent attempt to add pizzaz to a long, though honorable, name.
The company built coasters from 1904 to 1979. Notable coaster designers included Joe McKee, John A. Miller, Herbert Schmeck, Frank Hoover and John C. Allen. When John Allen retired in 1976, the company stopped designing roller coasters, but continued to work on coaster projects until 1979 when it stopped building coasters altogether.[1] The company continued to build roller coaster trains.
On November 27, 1991, Tom Rebbie and Bill Dauphinee purchased the Philadelphia Toboggan Company from its former owner, the late Sam High (1934–2011). The 87-year old company changed its name to Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters and Tom Rebbie was appointed president. Rebbie bought out Dauphinee in 2007 to become the sole owner and the name was slightly modified to Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. (PTCI).[2] Today PTCI is the leading supplier of wooden roller coaster trains.
Contents |
This table only includes PTC Coasters that are still operating.
| Opened | Name | Park |
|---|---|---|
| 1923 | Thunderhawk | Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom |
| 1927 | Wildcat | Lake Compounce |
| 1930 | Yankee Cannonball | Canobie Lake Park |
| 1938 | Rollo Coaster | Idlewild Park |
| 1941 | Thunderbolt | Six Flags New England |
| 1946 | Comet | Hersheypark |
| 1951 | Comet | Waldameer Park |
| 1956 | Sea Dragon | Zoombezi Bay |
| 1964 | Blue Streak | Cedar Point |
| 1966 | Swamp Fox | Grand Strand Amusement Park, renovated in 1992 when park reopened as Family Kingdom Amusement Park |
| 1967 | Cannon Ball | Lake Winnepesaukah |
| 1972 | Woodstock Express | Kings Island |
| 1972 | The Racer | Kings Island |
| 1973 | Great American Scream Machine | Six Flags Over Georgia |
| 1974 | Ghoster Coaster | Kings Dominion |
| 1975 | Woodstock Express | Carowinds |
| 1975 | Rebel Yell | Kings Dominion |
| 1976 | Screamin' Eagle1 | Six Flags St. Louis |
| 1976 | Thunder Road2 | Carowinds |
| 1985 | Phoenix3 | Knoebels |
| 1987 | Skyliner4 | Lakemont Park |
| 1994 | Comet5 | The Great Escape |
| 2006 | Meteor6 | Little A-Merrick-A |
| 2010 | Little Dipper7 | Six Flags Great America |
| 2011 | Black Diamond8 | Knoebels Amusement Resort |
1This was the last coaster designed and built by PTC. John Allen retired when this coaster was completed.
2This coaster was designed by Curtis D. Summers based on PTC plans. Some sources indicate it was built in-house by Taft, others attribute PTC.
3Originally built in 1947 at Playland Park (San Antonio, TX) as The Rocket. The park closed in 1980 and the coaster was relocated to Knoebels in 1985.
4Originally built in 1960 at Roseland Park, Canandaigua, New York. The park closed in 1985 and the coaster was relocated to Lakemont Park in 1987.
5Originally built in 1949 at Crystal Beach Park (Crystal Beach, Ontario Canada). The park closed in 1989 and the coaster was dismantled in 1990. It sat in storage until 1993. It was then relocated to The Great Escape in 1994.
6Originally built in 1953 as Little Dipper for Kiddytown in Norridge, Illinois then moved in 1966 to Hillcrest Park where it operated until 2003.
7Originally built in 1950 as Little Dipper for Melrose Kiddieland.
8Originally built in 1960 as Golden Nugget for Hunt's Pier, Wildwood, New Jersey. It is the only steel coaster ever manufactured by PTC.
This table only includes PTC carousels that are still operating or in restoration. Most PTC carousels were numbered, so they are easily identified. Most have been moved from their original opening locations.
Laffing Sal - automated funhouse character/amusement device
PTC was involved with the booming dark ride and funhouse business since before WWII, spawning off the company Funni-Frite of Columbus, Ohio.