Shavethewhales Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 So I was reading ACE's latest issue of RollerCoaster! magazine and I was surprised to see The Lil' Fireball at Kiddypark in my hometown of Bartlesville Oklahoma mentioned. The article said that the Lil' Fireball was built in 1947, which I had always heard but never believed. After searching RCDB, I can't find any steel coaster as old or older than this, so is this the world's oldest operation steel coaster? I'll get some pics up soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airtime&Gravity Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 It might be the oldest steel coaster in the world, but it is probably flat steel like wild mice. The Matterhorn however is the oldest coaster with tubular steel rails like today's coasters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shavethewhales Posted October 24, 2006 Author Share Posted October 24, 2006 Yeah, but if you want to just say it flatly it is the oldest steel coaster in the world. Huh, I really should tell the people that own the place, I mean, they should have a sign up about that or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedracer Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 The 1928 built Montaña Suiza may actually be the oldest operating: http://www.rcdb.com/ig1449.htm?picture=6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shavethewhales Posted October 25, 2006 Author Share Posted October 25, 2006 ^hmmm, yeah well I dunno, I guess it all comes down to how picky you are about what a conventional steel coaster is. Montaña Suiza could be considered more like a railroad type thing than a coaster, actually, it could be the world's only stone coaster! I mean, look, a wooden coaster is defined as a rollercoaster that has steel rails supported by wood, but Montaña Suiza has steel running rails supported by stone and earth and concrete, or are there other parts of it that have regular supports? Or maybe I'm just stupid, I dunno, just my thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coastered Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 If Montaña Suiza is not the worlds oldest operating steel rollercoaster, then this one is the oldest. http://www.rcdb.com/id1824.htm It is Rodelbaan at Waarbeek in Hengelo (The netherlands) This rollercoaster is build in the 1930s and is still operating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete4winds Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 I think this discussion is probably pretty closely related to the whole "is it a credit or not" debate, but judging by this picture: http://www.rcdb.com/ig1449.htm?picture=3 I'm thinking that, technically, Montana Suiza does fit the criteria...that looks suspiciously like a bunnyhop to me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebl Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 ^^ That thing looks pretty flimsy, almost as bad as that one the guy built in his back yard a few years ago. Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the sound Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Then if Montana Suiza is counted as a steel roller coaster then it can't be the oldest, and i would go on 2 rollercoasters everyday, with trams. They are virtually the same. They were another coaster like this in Japan that was built at La Qua in '55, which i believe was before Matterhorn, though was built of liek IRon, so wasn't counted as teh first Steel ROllercoaster. You know what, i reckon Blader is steel to. No more comments necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomas2 Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Well RCDB does classifie Montana Suiza as a steel coaster so that's the oldest IMO. http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?coastername=&parkname=&type=1&status=9&design=&category=&contact=&location=0&column=1%2C10%2C30%2C3%2C26%2C4%2C5&order=5%2C1%2C2&search=Search Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weeow Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 It might be the oldest steel coaster in the world, but it is probably flat steel like wild mice. The Matterhorn however is the oldest coaster with tubular steel rails like today's coasters. I remember seeing somewhere there is an older kiddy coaster out there with steel tubes as rails. Back on topic, I think it's pretty cool that you have a super old coaster close to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingScooter Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 i read an article a while back, posted it here too, that Memphis Kiddie Parks Lil Dipper is the oldest stationary steel coaster still standing on its original spot. 1952. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shavethewhales Posted October 25, 2006 Author Share Posted October 25, 2006 ^Eh, well the Little Fire Ball was built in 1947, so it is a bit older. Hmmm, so at least I have North America's oldest still-in-operation steel coaster in my downtown, I'll look good at parties now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the sound Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 I Know it does Tom, but i still don't count it. its a differen't sort of Steel coaster. If it went to school, it would be in the special class ( No offense to anyone, but anyway...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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