Roller Coaster in Alton

[Merrymeeting]

Hi,

Does anyone know the history of this interesting artform? It is located in Alton, on Bay Hill Road. You can see it when driving down the hill, about halfway down on the left, at least until the budding leaves of the bushes in front of it are out.

It certainly looks like it was a lot of work. I assume a model of a famous roller coaster?

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/519/medium/DSC_2023.jpg

[SIKSUKR]

The image doesn't show on my screen.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

But I found it in the Gallery! :D

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/519/medium/DSC_2023.jpg

Wicked cool.

For the super-sized picture click here (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showfull.php?photo=17794).

[RailroadJoe]

Maybe McDude can answer what it was used for.

[mcdude]

You got me! Not a clue!

[ironhorsetim]

Looks like the old Cyclone coaster that was in Revere Ma. circa 1960's ?

[RailroadJoe]

The Cyclone in Revere was quite a lot higher and longer. Looks to ba kiddie size from a fair or carnival. No cars on it.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

http://www.rowan.edu/earth/denton/mdl/2000/newenglandcoasters/whalom/ne-whalom-comet_reflection.jpg
Could it be The Flyer Comet Roller Coaster from Whalom Park?
That Black Hole thingy wasn't added until the 80's or 90's I think.

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[RailroadJoe]

Thanks for the ride. Its too bad that Whalom Park was closed and everything is gone. Tried them a few times in the long ago days.

[Resident 2B]

Could it be the old mini roller-coaster from Kiddie Ranch from the 50's located in , Ma off Rt 1 North?

It is about the same size, from what I remember. I am trying to find an old print of the Kiddie Ranch coaster to post.

R2B

[Rattlesnake Guy]

RG and I rode up Bay Hill Road on Friday evening. We pulled into the driveway on a mission to find out more about this artifact. RG introduced herself to the wonderfully nice folks who were in the driveway.

The roller coaster sitting in Nancy and Greg's front yard was actually custom made by a friend of Nancy's who lives in PA. He restores wooden roller coasters around the country. Nancy has an on line business (http://www.guntherhall.com/)that sells roller coaster items.

It has only been there since November 2010. It had Christmas lights on it this winter.

Nancy said that it was modeled after a coaster from CT. either called Hell Diver or Hell Coaster. (We could not find it on line)

They actually have a car which can ride part way around the track but have not worked out all the bugs yet. If you look at the flowers and the Cat you will get a feel for scale. It is quite impressive.

[Merrymeeting]

Thanks RG's for solving the riddle! I knew someone on the forum would get to the bottom of it eventually.

Now I also have a contact to ask the other question I've always wondered about Bay Hill Rd...How do they get home in February! :eek:

[Rattlesnake Guy]

I would suggest down hill while dragging an anchor. I kept wondering if the Expedition was going to flip.:) What an appropriate place for a fan of roller coasters. They are only missing the chain to bring them up the hill.

[upthesaukee]

Bay Hill is very well maintained (sanded) in the weather.

Of course, if you beat the sander down the hill, it may be case of "Can you spell SUV bobsledding at its best!!!!!"

Now back to your regular programming. Thanks for the pics, RG and RG!

[SIKSUKR]

Man,that's alot of work to build a mini coaster for your cat!:laugh: