The Gulf Coaster was a small children's
roller coaster
A roller coaster, or rollercoaster, is a type of amusement ride that employs a form of elevated railroad track designed with tight turns, steep slopes, and sometimes inversions. Passengers ride along the track in open cars, and the rides are o ...
that was built for both the
Great America parks. Gulf Coaster was built by the
Allan Herschell Company
The Allan Herschell Company specialized in the creation of amusement rides, particularly carousels and roller coasters. The company manufactured portable machines that could be used by traveling carnival operators. It was started in 1915 in the ...
with its trains made by Bradley and Kaye. It was a standard "Little Dipper" model. Today, neither of the Gulf Coasters operate.
Gurnee
The Gurnee version was plagued with problems in its only year (1976). The ride closed midway throughout the 1976 season due to several fires and was removed before 1977 and replaced by the Southern Cross skyride. The ride was most likely scrapped.
Santa Clara
The Santa Clara version managed to survive a few years later (mainly due to Santa Clara not getting a Southern Cross skyride). The ride was not as much of a fire hazard as its Gurnee cousin. The little Gulf Coaster made its last run at the end of the 1980 season. It too was most likely scrapped.
External links
California's Great America Gulf Coasterat RCDB
at RCDB
{{Six Flags Great America
Six Flags Great America
California's Great America
Former roller coasters in Illinois
Former roller coasters in California