Thunderbolt is a wooden roller coaster located at Six Flags New England. Opened in 1941, it was designed by Harry Baker and Harry Traver, and built by Joseph Drambour.Roller Coaster Database, http://www.rcdb.com/182.htm Thunderbolt is the oldest roller coaster at Six Flags New England. It is also the second oldest roller coaster in any Six Flags park (the Wild One at Six Flags America was built in 1917, but it was relocated from Paragon Park and has only been at Six Flags America since 1986). Each PTC train has 4 cars, and an individual lap bar and seatbelt for each person. An attendant has to manually unlock each car's lap bars by stepping on and pushing down a release bar at the front of each car.Commemorative plaque at park from American Coaster Enthusiasts, http://www.aceonline.org/census/PhotoDetail.aspx?ID=6068 Thunderbolt was dedicated an ACE Coaster Landmark on August 2, 2008.
History The track, train and plans for Thunderbolt were purchased by park owner Edward Carroll Sr. from the 1939 New York World's Fair.Cecchi, David. Images of America Riverside Park. Arcadia Publishing, 2011, pg. 81 When it opened in 1941, it was called Cyclone; the ride was renamed Thunderbolt in 1964.
External links Six Flags New England's Official webpage for the Thunderbolt
References