|
Statistics |
| Length (feet): |
2300' |
| Height (feet): |
68' |
| Inversions: |
0 |
| Speed (mph): |
? |
| Duration (m:ss): |
? |
| Manufacturer: |
Vettle |
Terrifying. That's how I remember the Zephyr at Pontchartrain Beach. By
the time I had ridden Zephyr I had ridden only one other woodie, The
Comet at Texas State Fairgrounds. I already loved rollercoasters but I
was still terrified of woodies, probably because I had limited
experience with them. I visited Pontchartrain Beach in 1981 and if
memory serves the Zephyr's station house was located near the entrance
to the park. Very little of the Zephyr's layout was visible from within
or even outside the park as the trees and vegetation around the ride
were overgrown. This made the ride ominous and somewhat mysterious,
creating a sense of "what does it do and where does it go once it leaves
the station?" The paint on the structure was considerably worn which
heavily contributed to the seeming "danger" of the Zephyr, but the ride
still called.
Once the train left the station a curve and a tunnel lead to the open
lift hill. At the top sat a kitschy 1950's-era "tower" which the train
passed under. From here the train was facing away from Lake
Pontchartrain and the Beach's parking lot was clear. The train quickly
found its way into the first drop and from here the ride went "out of
control". The Zephyr was an out'n'back configuration but with a few mild
bends along the way. There was at least one tunnel after the first drop.
The head-chopper effect was intense and highly effective. Due to the
trees surrounding the ride you had the sense of being on a fast and far
off adventure. The ride was relentless. About midway there was a
turnaround at the east end of the ride which led to a series of smaller
hills that took you back to the station.
Unfortunately the park is gone, along with its many rides including
Zephyr Jr. As of the summer of 2004 there is nothing to really indicate
to people that a park once stood there. However, the station house for
the Ragin' Cajun still stands. A small building made to look like a
lighthouse that was located near the entrance to the park is still
present. There are also several tiles from the midway still on the
ground. These are enough to bring back the fond memories of New Orleans'
lost treasure and that fantastic coaster called the Zephyr.
--Alex Rigsby
Printed in the Summer 2006 Issue of the ACE South
Central "Queue Line Chronicle"
