We are all familiar with the industry name Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) and the high quality product they are known for, but here are 3 things you didn’t know about the company:
1. Their Name Isn’t Actually The Philadelphia Toboggan Company
When you talk about this roller coaster car manufacturer, you most likely will refer to them as the Philadelphia Toboggan Company or PTC for short. We all do it. The company’s name was changed back in 1991 to Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters and then again in 2007; their actual name is now Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. (PTCI).
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2. They Built More Than Just Rides
Way back before the name change, the Philadelphia Toboggan Company was involved in more than building coasters. In the early 1900’s the company dabbled in skee-ball machines and dark ride animatronics. One of the most famous pieces they manufactured was the “Laffing Sal,” a six-foot tall clown built for use in dark rides and fun houses.
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If we take a look at the top of Laff Trakk’s lift hill at Hersheypark, its decor appears to be influenced by Laffing Sal. Maybe even the name Laff-Trakk was derived from our six-foot friend?
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3. PTC Was A Leader In Carousel Manufacturing
The Philadelphia Toboggan Company first started manufacturing carousels in 1903 and built 87 by the time they ceased production in 1934. PTC’s carousels were known for their horses with elaborate trappings and decorations. The man to thank for this is John Zalar. This master carver really changed the game when it came to designing stunning horses. The visual impact of his designs is what inspired all of the incredible animals we see today on carousels.
Another thing the PTC did to separate themselves from the rest of the carousel manufacturers was creating themed rides. Their carousels featured horses with decorations themed to different time periods and locations, including the Middle Ages, the Middle East and the Old West.
Many of the carousels procuded by the PTC are no longer in operation, but a few still are. Some of their carousels you can still ride are at Hersheypark, Kings Island, Kings Dominion, Six Flags Magic Mountain and Six Flags Over Georgia to name a few.
Today, PTCI manufactures coaster cars, brake systems and queue gates.
We hope you enjoyed learning a little more about the history of Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc.!
Valleyfair has a PTC carousel built in 1925 and moved from the Excelsior amusement park to it’s current location inside Valleyfairs front gate in 1976.
I have a wooden PTC carousel horse I inherited from my mother. It was restored and painted in 1975 and I am wondering about the potential value and where to sell it, should I decide to in the future.
Any information you could give me will be helpful. Thank you. My email:
[email protected]
Where was the original carousel factory? I was born and raised in Germantown, Phila.
Was one of your carousels at Willow Grove Park? I was born and raised in Germantown, Phila.