Statistics
Length (feet):	2600'
Height (feet):	55'
Inversions:	0
Speed (mph):	?
Duration (m:ss):	1:30
Manufacturer:	NAD

With Six Flags AstroWorld closing and many other small amusement parks biting the dust in 2005 and 2006, one tends to overlook the loss of the classic “fairground coasters” that populated the United States from the 1920s to the late 1980s.

The State Fair of Texas is the largest and most attended State Fair and Annual Exposition in the United States and rivaled only by the Oktoberfest fairs in Germany. Over the last 120 years, the State Fair of Texas has seen several hundred rides and a collection of a few truly unique roller coasters. From the Giant Racer in 1886 to the John Miller Lightning, the fair never had a shortage of thrills. In 1935, the Lightning was torn down for a new Miller creation, the odd Triple Racer. The Triple Racer featured a 3,000ft long course which three tracks raced side-by-side. The Triple Racer was sadly demolished in 1946, but the Comet was built using wood and steel members from the Triple Racer.

The Comet opened to the public for the first time in the summer of 1947. Designed by Charles Paige and was built by N.A.D. who also supplied the rolling stock. The Comet featured a 70ft. tall lift hill with a 65ft. first drop in a double out and back layout. The ride was a huge success and continued to be operated by Samuel Bert until 1976 when the State Fair of Texas purchased the ride and the Comet Jr.

The Comet was given a complete overhaul in 1976 and the Comet Jr., also by Paige was destroyed. Sadly, The Comet was approaching the end of its very short life.

In 1981, Coaster Con was held in Texas and the Comet was featured as a stop for the ACE members attending the conference. The year earlier, Bill Cobb became the overseeing engineer for the ride.

After the 1979 Swiss Sky Ride incident where one person was killed and 3 were seriously injured, insurance prices skyrocketed for the State Fair. In 1982, another death occurred when an Enterprise car came loose and slid into the Midway. After the 1985 fair, the State Fair announced that the Comet would be silenced for 1986 until a new insurance carrier could be found. Years passed and the Comet slowly rotted away. In 1989, the City of Dallas who now owned Fair Park, decided along with the State Fair of Texas to demolish the aging structure as it was deemed as a hazard. On February 9, 1989, a wrecking ball started bringing down the Comet. Thankfully, the State Fair saved the classic loading station and the classic N.A.D. rolling stock. The old station was turned into a museum featuring old photos of rides and coasters from past fairs.

In 2002, the State Fair was prepping for their newest rollercoaster, a PAX Design Cobra-1, which was never installed. Sadly the classic Comet station was torn down along with a 1948 Pretzel Dark Ride for Midway expansion. Local ACE Member and publisher of Amusement Today Gary Slade purchased the remaining train and moved it to Wonderland Park in Amarillo until the ACE Coaster Museum can be established. Rusty Fitzgerald, the Operations manager also managed to save the remaining station track from the wrecking ball and preserve it for the new museum that the State Fair of Texas is currently developing. The Comet was many Dallas resident’s first wooden coaster ride and a great one at that; we should never forget the white and red paint of a true Texas icon.

 

--Jeremy Murphy
Printed in the Fall 2005 Issue of the ACE South Central "Queue Line Chronicle"