Switchback Railway

ride, New York City, New York, United States

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July 16, 2026

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The Switchback Railway, considered America's first roller coaster, opened at Coney Island in New York City on June 16, 1884. Inventor LaMarcus Adna Thompson adapted the concept from gravity-driven coal railways in Pennsylvania. This early ride featured two parallel tracks and reached a modest speed of 6 miles per hour. Despite its slow pace, it was a significant success, recouping its investment in just three weeks and launching the roller coaster industry as a popular amusement park attraction. Early roller coasters evolved from Russian ice slides and French adaptations, eventually leading to the wheeled coasters seen today.123

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roller coaster
Coney Island amusement park
…hour, Thompson’s ride, called the Switchback Railway, was little more than a leisurely gravity-powered tour of the beach there. Still, its popularity enabled him to recoup his $1,600 investment in only three weeks.
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…hour, Thompson’s ride, called the Switchback Railway, was little more than a leisurely gravity-powered tour of the beach there. Still, its popularity enabled him to recoup his $1,600 investment in only three weeks.
Read More