Comet
I3 · First Drops
I3 · № 127/150
Comet
Waldameer Park · US · Philadelphia Toboggan Company Junior Wooden Coaster (Herb Schmeck design)
“Beside Presque Isle, a small wooden Comet keeps its 1951 course.”
UNOFFICIAL · NOT PARK-ENDORSED
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Fast facts
- Comet operates at Waldameer & Water World in Erie, Pennsylvania. coasterpedia.net
- The coaster opened in 1951. waldameer.com
- It is a wooden roller coaster built by Philadelphia Toboggan Company and designed by Herbert Paul Schmeck. coasterpedia.net
- Its height is 37 feet, and its top speed is 25 mph, or 40 km/h. en.wikipedia.org
- The ride has zero inversions. en.wikipedia.org
- Its construction cost is recorded as US$0.05 million. en.wikipedia.org
- American Coaster Enthusiasts lists Comet at Waldameer Park as an ACE Coaster Classic. ridewithace.com
The story of Comet
The traveller comes to Waldameer at the Lake Erie shore, just before the entrance to Presque Isle State Park. The park’s own history recalls its old picnic-ground beginnings and the name Waldameer, meaning “Woods by the Sea.” waldameer.com· waldameer.com
There had been larger wooden machinery here before. After the earlier Ravine Flyer closed in August 1938, Comet’s arrival in 1951 gave Waldameer its first new roller coaster in many years, a modest but welcome return of timber and train to the Erie midway. coasterpedia.net· waldameer.com
Philadelphia Toboggan Company supplied the work, with Herbert Paul Schmeck’s hand in the design. At 37 feet and 25 mph, with no inversions, Comet was built for the family afternoon: enough lift and turn to make a memory, and gentle enough for generations to begin there. en.wikipedia.org· waldameer.com
Comet has been kept as an old-fashioned article rather than merely replaced. Its manual braking lasted through the 2011 season before newer magnetic and friction brakes and a new control system arrived for 2012; ACE’s Coaster Classic listing marks that preserved traditional character. coasterpedia.net· ridewithace.com
Sources
- coasterpedia.net Preferred source
- waldameer.com Acceptable source
- en.wikipedia.org Acceptable source
- ridewithace.com Acceptable source
- waldameer.com Acceptable source
- waldameer.com Acceptable source
This background is AI-drafted from public sources and human-reviewed before publishing — approved 20 August 2026.