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Wildcat (Lake Compounce)
Encyclopedia
Wildcat is the name of a wooden roller coaster
located at Lake Compounce
in Bristol, Connecticut
. It was built in 1927 and is the park's centerpiece. It is one of the world's oldest operating roller coasters (in operation at the same location). With a first drop of only 73 feet, it's not too intense making it popular with younger guests. The entire structure was rebuilt with new wood in 1985, and the last bunny hills were retracked in 2004. The Wildcat went down for refurbishment on September 17, 2006 and reopened for the 2007 operating season. During its refurbishment, the brake runs were completely removed and rebuilt with new magnetic brakes. The station also received air gates in the queue line and individual seat belts were added to each seat. The Wildcat's trains were built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company
. Before the Wildcat was built, the Green Dragon
Coaster used to stand in its place.
It bears a striking resemblance to the now-defunct Wildcat roller coaster that used to reside at Elitch Gardens in Denver.
Wooden roller coaster
A wooden roller coaster is most often classified as a roller coaster with laminated steel running rails overlaid upon a wooden track. Occasionally, the structure may be made out of a steel lattice or truss, but the ride remains classified as a wooden roller coaster due to the track design...
located at Lake Compounce
Lake Compounce
Lake Compounce is an amusement park located in Bristol, Connecticut, United States and a part of the neighboring town of Southington, Connecticut; the lake itself lies completely in Southington. It is the oldest continuously operating amusement park in North America, having operated every year...
in Bristol, Connecticut
Bristol, Connecticut
Bristol is a suburban city located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 61,353. Bristol is primarily known as the home of ESPN, whose central studios are in the city. Bristol is also home to...
. It was built in 1927 and is the park's centerpiece. It is one of the world's oldest operating roller coasters (in operation at the same location). With a first drop of only 73 feet, it's not too intense making it popular with younger guests. The entire structure was rebuilt with new wood in 1985, and the last bunny hills were retracked in 2004. The Wildcat went down for refurbishment on September 17, 2006 and reopened for the 2007 operating season. During its refurbishment, the brake runs were completely removed and rebuilt with new magnetic brakes. The station also received air gates in the queue line and individual seat belts were added to each seat. The Wildcat's trains were built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company
Philadelphia Toboggan Company
The Philadelphia Toboggan Company is one of the oldest existing roller coaster manufacturing companies in the world.Mack Rides of Germany dates back to 1781, but it did not start building coasters until 1921 Based in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, it was established in 1904 by Henry B...
. Before the Wildcat was built, the Green Dragon
Green Dragon (Lake Compounce)
The Green Dragon was a wooden roller coaster located at Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut. It opened in 1914, but was later replaced by the Wildcat. It was the first electrically powered coaster at the nation's oldest continuously operated amusement park....
Coaster used to stand in its place.
It bears a striking resemblance to the now-defunct Wildcat roller coaster that used to reside at Elitch Gardens in Denver.
Wildcat Timeline
- 1927: Opened to the Public
- 1985: Reconstructed with new wood
- 1997/1998: Fully Retracked
- 2004: Final bunny hill run retracked, Seat dividers installed
- 2007: Magnetic brakes installed for ability of two train operation, Air gates added to queue, Individual seat belts installed, Most of the track was repainted, blue train repainted Purple, leaving the Wild Cat with one Red train and one Purple.