The Cyclone is spinning again in Coney Island.
Luna Park, which operates the iconic Brooklyn rollercoaster, reopened the ride on Saturday Sept. 7 at 11 a.m. after being closed for the last two weeks for maintenance.
The Cyclone abruptly closed on Aug. 22 after riders became stuck on a coaster that malfunctioned during their trip. Luna Park staff had to escort riders off the steep, rickety tracks of the nearly century-old fixture of the city’s summer playground.
The following day, the Department of Buildings (DOB) inspected the Cyclone and issued several code violations. DOB said that the ride had malfunctioned due to a “crack on the chain sprocket,” and Luna Park was hit with violations, including failing to maintain the ride and failing to inform the city of the malfunction in a timely manner, with a combined penalty of $3,750.
Following the shutdown, Luna Park said that the DOB had inspected and cleared the ride to open just one day before, on Aug. 21. It noted that “ride maintenance and thorough testing happens daily before Luna Park opens and throughout the day as necessary.”
According to DOB, the ride could not reopen until all necessary repairs were made and the Cyclone passed another inspection. Andrew Rudansky, a DOB spokesperson, said Saturday that the Cyclone “passed inspection this morning and has been returned to safe working service,” enabling Luna Park to reopen the ride to the public.
Test runs on the Cyclone had been conducted in recent days without passengers after Luna Park staff made the necessary repairs.
“The park operators scheduled a final inspection with DOB for this morning,” Rudansky said. “DOB inspected the ride, and determined it was once again safe to return the roller coaster to active operation for the public. Our inspector who performed the inspection will remain on site this morning to monitor the operations as riders are allowed back on.”
Luna Park management said it worked for the past two weeks to repair the Cyclone and make it safe for riders once again.
“We are incredibly honored to preserve the legacy of the Coney Island Cyclone roller coaster and offer memorable experiences on this historic coaster, year after year. This American icon has captivated guests for nearly a century, and our dedicated team and attraction engineers continue to ensure that this legendary 97-year-old landmark continues to operate safely and smoothly,” said Alessandro Zamperla, president and CEO of Central Amusement International, Inc.
On Sept. 8, the day after the ride reopened, crowds flocked to Luna Park to take a spin, undeterred by the recent closure. One family had traveled all the way from the U.K., they told Brooklyn Paper.
Opened in 1927, the Cyclone is the last of the original coasters built on Coney Island and has thrilled millions of visitors who have traveled its 2,640 feet track at speeds of up to 60 mph.
By the mid-20th century, the rollercoaster had deteriorated in tandem with Coney Island’s amusement parks, and was slated for the wrecking ball until being saved in the 1970s. The ride has malfunctioned and shut down several times since then.
The Zamperla family has invested millions over the years to maintain the Cyclone, which was designated a New York City landmark in 1988 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Department of Buildings inspects all amusement rides in NYC, large rides in Coney Island and small rides at street fairs which totals to about 280 periodic inspections a year on permanent rides and approximately 700-800 temporary rides a year.
In addition to these periodic observations, the team also conducts between 1,000 – 5,000 spot checks a year for safety and code compliance.
A version of this story also appeared on Brooklyn Paper’s sister site amNewYork Metro
