If you were planning on riding the Cyclone in Coney Island this week, you may have to make other plans.
The iconic roller coaster was redesigned with not just one, but two Violations by the New York City Department of Buildings after it encountered mechanical problems so severe that thrill-seekers on board had to be evacuated mid-ride.
Fortunately, no one was injured.
According to Gothamist, “a spokesperson for the city’s Department of Public Works said the agency sent inspectors to assess the damage on Friday. Luna Park, the operator of the Cyclone, told the agency that the ride was heading uphill on Thursday when it was stopped due to a ‘crack in the sprocket’ in the Cyclone’s engine room, according to the Department of Public Works.”
This is where the violations come into play – “one because of a lack of maintenance of the track and one because the city was not immediately informed about the damage.”
There’s no clear answer as to when Cyclone will be back in operation, but as Gothamist reported, “Luna Park told Gothamist that the attraction is being ‘meticulously’ maintained and tested and that the city’s Department of Public Works just approved its opening on Wednesday.”
The almost 100-year-old wooden roller coaster is only a few years away from its 100th birthday, which will be celebrated on June 26, 2027.
As stated on Luna Park’s website, “The Cyclone reaches a top speed of 60 miles per hour, carries 24 passengers and has a total track length of 2,640 feet. As the second steepest wooden roller coaster in the world, the Cyclone offers an adrenaline-pumping 85-foot drop at an uncompromising drop angle of nearly 60 degrees. Exciting drops, turns, 27 elevation changes and a winding course have made this iconic wooden roller coaster a timeless classic and after more than 90 years of operation, the Cyclone continues to deliver thrills.”
