Silver Comet (roller coaster)
Wooden roller coaster at Niagara Amusement Park & Splash World
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Silver Comet is a hybrid wooden roller coaster with steel supports at Niagara Amusement Park & Splash World in Grand Island, New York.[2] It was built by Custom Coasters International and opened on May 1, 1999. The ride stood out of operation in 2020 and 2021 following the closure of its park, but returned to operation in 2022 after the park was purchased and reopened.[3][4] In 2026, the park announced it would not reopen, leaving the ride standing out of operation once more.[5]
| Silver Comet | |
|---|---|
The ride's queue and station in 2009 | |
| Niagara Amusement Park & Splash World | |
| Location | Niagara Amusement Park & Splash World |
| Coordinates | 43°01′42″N 78°58′26″W |
| Status | Closed |
| Opening date | May 1, 1999[1] |
| Closing date | September 22, 2025 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Wood |
| Manufacturer | Custom Coasters International |
| Designer | Dennis McNulty & Larry Bill |
| Track layout | Triple out-and-back |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift |
| Height | 82 ft (25 m) |
| Drop | 82 ft (25 m) |
| Length | 2,800 ft (850 m) |
| Speed | 55 mph (89 km/h) |
| Duration | 1:45 |
| Max vertical angle | 50° |
| Height restriction | 48 in (122 cm) |
| Trains | Single train with 6 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 24 riders per train. |
| Silver Comet at RCDB | |
Silver Comet was inspired by The Comet roller coaster at Six Flags Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor, the latter of which previously spent a few years in storage at Niagara Amusement Park & Splash World after being purchased by the owner of both parks.[6]
Ride experience
A short drop is encountered immediately after leaving the station, quickly followed by a slight turn to the left. There is a short, straight section of track that is then followed by a U-turn to the left, leading to the 82-foot (25-metre) lift hill. The train descends the first drop, and immediately traverses a slight lefthand turn. Two airtime hills are encountered, before a large ascent that is followed by a wide banked turn to the left and a small drop. There is a slight turn to the right followed by a large drop. The train then ascends into a righthand U-turn. Another airtime hill is traversed, followed by another turn to the right. Another airtime hill is encountered, followed this time by a turn to the left. This is followed by a drop is and a series of small airtime hills, which lead into a rough turn to the left. There is another series of drops and rises, followed by a slight turn to the right and the brake run, parallel to the lift hill. A small drop follows the brake run, which in turn leads into the station.
Train
The ride has one six-car train, with each car seating four riders in rows of two, for a total of 24 riders per train. Each car contains individual ratcheting lap bars, individual seat belts, and seat dividers. The train was built by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters.
Awards
| Year | 1998 | 1999 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | – | – | ||||||||
| Year | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
| Ranking | – | – | – | – | – | – | 35[7] | – | – | – |
| Year | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
| Ranking | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||
| Ranking | N/A | – | – | – | – | – |