PTC 4 Bench Trains

[djw44]

So I visited the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh today and ran into this priceless treasure.

 

 

An original 4 bench PTC car from the Racer in Kennywood. About all I could find on the topic in general was in the forums. http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=661369

 

Are there any more of these 4 bench trains left in operation?

[Myself]

The Racer's original trains were actually products of Edward Vettel, who also built the Jack Rabbit trains.

 

PTC has made some four-bench cars, though...the only operating ones left that come to mind are on Blackpool's Big Dipper.

[VinTheAttendant]

Not sure if it's PTC, but Astroland's Cyclone has four bench.

[djw44]

Ah ok, yeah now that I look at them they do look pretty much the same as the Jack Rabbit trains.

[nowaymang]

For years all the old Racer trains sat alongside the Smithfield St. Bridge near Downtown Pittsburgh unprotected from the elements. Glad to see a survivor.

[djw44]

Really? Wow. Who owned them?

[DenDen]

To add to "nowaymang"s statement, in the 80's there was also a train under the Fort Pitt bridge almost in shambles, and a car from the blue train on display at Station Square along with old train cars outside in a covered area. (next to the Smithfioeld St Bridge.) Looks like the one in the picture posted was a restored car from the one under the Fort Pitt Bridge.

[djw44]

Thanks for all of the insights guys! As far as PTC 4 bench trains go, are there any left? I associated these with being PTCs after seeing the old Beast trains and others.

[Simon Baynham]

Pleasure Beach Blackpool's 'Rollercoaster' (Nickelodeon Streak) employs 4-bench PTCs. (They formerly operated on the neighbouring Big Dipper).

 

Simon B

[A.J.]

Didn't Phoenix have three four-bench cars per train when it was the Rocket at Playland?

[SeaWhippet]

Didn't Phoenix have three four-bench cars per train when it was the Rocket at Playland?

 

No, the Rocket utilized regular three-bench PTC coaches, which appeared a bit beefier than today's version.

[larrygator]

Didn't Phoenix have three four-bench cars per train when it was the Rocket at Playland?

 

Based on the rotating picture on this page, it did not.

http://www.playlandparkbook.com/

 

But it may have at one time.

 

EDIT: I actually found more pictures here:

http://www.coasterphotos.com/Playland/rocket.htm

Edited November 14, 2011 by larrygator

[niiicolaaah]

Wow, I was just there the other day too. Small world. You live in Pittsburgh or were you at the conference that I was in town for too???

[djw44]

I live in Pittsburgh. Were you at the center on Friday? That was my first time going and we got there at about 1:30 and only got about halfway through everything, they really have some fantastic displays. I still can't believe they have a restored streetcar and everything as well.