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APHAN Collection7 of 9
GIANT CYCLONE SAFETY COASTERS / “TRAVER’S TWISTING TRIPLETS”
Theme park pioneer Harry Guy Travers set out to revolutionize rollercoasters in the late twenties with a set of three nearly-identical coasters of hybrid wood and steel construction, incorporating all the newest features of roller-coaster design: high-angle banked turns, twisting “trick-track” segments, and terrifying runs through enclosed areas full of “headchoppers.”
More than any single feature, however, Traver’s rollercoasters were known for running at 110% and over-stressing the track and support structure, with the Ontario-based “Cyclone” frequently having to shut down for repairs after a few runs. Revere, Massachusetts’ “Lightning” had a better maintenance record, but passengers were thrown from side to side so violently that the phrase “take her on the Lightning” became Boston-area slang for a back-alley abortion.
After two fatalities and the termination of an unknown number of zygotes, the Cyclone and Lightning were finally shut down; the third of the “Traver Trio” was never opened to the public for (understandable) safety reasons.
RULE No19
If someone's in the bathroom stall next to you, cool it with the grunting and groaning.
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Who writes this stuff? "crude sleds or carts featuring cruder brakes and (if you’re lucky) seatbelts." Hello? What good do seatbelts do on a "vehicle" that masses less than you do? Just guarentee that your sled comes flying with you (adding to you mass), rather than go flying off course by yourself!
January 23 2013 at 3:32 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThe phrasing of the Traver's Triplets suggests that Cyclone was resopnsible for both deaths. In fact, one was a woman on the Lighting (uncertain if she jumped or fell), and the one attributed to the Cyclone was a man who decided to stand up and take his coat off (showing stupid customers are not a modern convention, though "idiot stopper" restraints are). Hardly attributable to the design or construction of the ride.