Riding the Blue Streak in 2010 (Very Lucky) - Conneaut Lake Park Pennsylvania

The Blue Streak was a classic wooden roller coaster from Ed Vettel that originally opened at Conneaut Lake Park in 1938. In 2006 it closed and was SBNO for four years during which a massive fundraising campaign was launched to get it repaired and reopened. With some funding from Pepsi Cola it finally opened in September 2010. Our USA driving tour coincided with the scheduled reopening date but when we got there the ride was closed after heavy rain the night before. We feared we would miss out, but luck was on our side, and we became some of the first riders to enjoy it again after the four-year closure. Here's the story of our visit! UPDATE - Sadly in January 2022 the ride was demolished and impacted by a fire caused during the demolition process. A real sad loss, which makes me even more lucky to have ridden it on my 2010 trip.
David Ellis - Roller Coasters, Thrill Rides and more
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[@lornetyndale7974]

My all time favourite coaster, it should never have been demolished. I am glad to have had the chance to ride it.

[@davidjellis]

I agree with you - we were lucky to have ridden it on our tour and although the coaster was still in a poor state it was a privilege to have ridden it a few times.

[@jeffstull2534]

I rode the Blue Streak many times in many years in the late 50's till '72 when NeCaHi (New Castle High) had our graduation party there. A guy named Kenny, who was dating my Aunt Leona (who worked in the log restaurant on the midway), was running the coaster and would give me free rides on it when I was a just a kid.

[@davidjellis]

Thanks for sharing your memories of this classic coaster, sadly gone.

[@Loopyguy]

In my 30+ years coasting... This was one of the most memorable moments. One of my better days of negotiation skills too.

[@davidjellis]

Indeed - it was a genuine pleasure to have shared that experience with you - wonderful memories :-)

[@Loopyguy]

We four should do an interesting trip one day. Way after covid. We'll keep that off line.

[@mt_gox]

@@davidjellis I'm surprised Todd didn't demolish it while people were riding it.

[@ferretsp3052]

Conneaut Lake, my home park! Awesome video. Thank you. Sadly the park was closed in 2020, so I wasn't able to ride anything. Especially since the park had invested in new track work on the first drop and hill. But I was able to walk around and see all the work that they've been doing to improve things. Oh, and I operated those bumper cars at their previous location, Old Indiana, along some other rides Conneaut Lake bought from them at auction after they closed. And for those who don't know, the Tumble Bug ride is also one of only 2 left in the world; the other being the Turtle at nearby Kennywood.

[@davidjellis]

Many thanks - and glad you enjoyed the video

[@Berger5307]

Great video! I had the privilege of volunteering at the park from the time I was 8 (I am 23 now), until the current management took over. This video brought back a world of memories for me, it seems like so long ago now. Some of the best times were when Lenny and his crew got the coaster running again, it was a magical and hopeful time and a very magical place!

[@davidjellis]

Many thanks - so sad to see the Streak pulled down :-(

[@easynhonest]

LOL ! Lucky to ride it and lucky to come back alive from that shaky and visually scary looking ride. That classic ride has been on life support for a few decades . I would urge any coaster enthusiast who is in the Pennsylvania area riding other coaster to strongly consider ridding this classic before it perishes for good .

[@davidjellis]

It WAS a bit on the dodgy side, but we were so thrilled to have ridden it and lucky enough for our trip to coincide with it opening again after 4 years - I really hope the parks gets through the challenges it has and survives to entertain future guests from near and far.

[@leskobruce]

@@davidjellis February 2022. Sad to report , it's all gone.

[@davidjellis]

@@leskobruce Yes, very sad indeed - I had already updated the video description box with news of the demolition...just pleased I got a few rides on it back then.

[@gregglivengood7680]

I was there every time it managed to get some refurb.. i was also there the weekend after the fire and grabbed some memories.. i had no words for what i saw..

[@davidjellis]

I can imagine...what a tragedy.

[@seandalessandro7454]

I used to spend my summers in conneaut in the trailer park across the street from the back entrance street of the park. Lots not there anymore. I can’t tell you how many times I rode this coaster. This park Was my childhood really. Even the water park was awesome. I got to ride it like 3-4 years ago with my kid who was like 9-10 at the time. He actually passed out on it thankfully he was ok!

[@davidjellis]

Many thanks for sharing your memories of the park!

[@richardmorris7063]

I rode it in the 60s, I believe they had just changed over to those trains.

[@Paneeks1960]

Fantastic video David. You guys must have had a blast. What an honor being one of the first if not the first riders after four years of standing but not operating. Now that is something to brag about. Thanks for sharing it~ Rob/Boston

[@davidjellis]

The ride opened the previous day (which we knew was going to happen but it didn't match our itinerary) but to get there to find it closed due to heavy rain overnight was a sucker punch...just so pleased we hung around to get some photos and how it all played out.

[@briankirven8909]

Im glad I had the chance to ride the blue streak. Sorry to see it go! Even after the Pepsi challenge which I helped to save it. Thought it would have been here longer

[@davidjellis]

yes - was hopeful the Pepsi money would have secured the ride for many years, but sadly that turned out not to be the case...real shame

[@NALTOHQ]

The new owner didn’t just clear out a roller coaster. They desecrated history and destroyed a legendary piece of this industry’s history. :(

[@davidjellis]

I totally agree (and agree with your original comments that were edited) - it was really sad, and yes, the fire happened as part of a controlled demolition of the site, I think that's a matter of fact.

[@TheKurtsPlaceChannel]

Very nicely put together video and very entertaining as well. Thanks for posting this.

[@davidjellis]

Many thanks :-)

[@cedarflags]

Riding this without seatbelts was wild.

[@davidjellis]

Riding anything like this with no seatbelts is wild...I once had the chance to ride the Big Dipper at Blackpool in the back seat with no seatbelt - it was genuinely scary - only needed to try that once!

[@dukemexplorer481]

Looks just as painful in the daylight, as the only time I rode this was at night and it was a black and blue bruiser

[@edwardmcdevitt790]

I SO envy you guys!!! Wish I were there with you!!!! Good for you for getting a ride!!!

[@davidjellis]

we were very lucky on our visit :-)

[@leskobruce]

Wonderful video !

[@davidjellis]

Many thanks :-)

[@ngqp]

Thank you!!

[@kiddiec.8981]

In this video you spent like one of the classic RCT peeps there because you had some difficult scenarios (which sounded pretty nice to a lot of players) just to get one traditional credit (!) that actually rides like a NL1 newbie's bumpy woodie... :*)

[@TheCoasterLisa]

Thanks for sharing this! We were at the 2010 ACE Con in June and it wasn’t running yet from the reno. So this is one credit I missed and will never be able to get. 😢

[@davidjellis]

It's a sad story...real shame it's lost for good

[@51gary51]

You guys would be fun to go coastering with -- especially your friend Donnie at 1:12! Fun and funny, too! Have y'all ever gotten to Alabama to ride our local woodie, RAMPAGE at Alabama Adventure? If you haven't, it's a must! And if you have, you've gotta come back again!

[@davidjellis]

LOL re Donnie!! Alabama is one of only six States I haven't visited...we have a similar coaster to Rampage over in the UK - Megafobia at Oakwood in Wales. I still hope to get to Rampage one day!

[@rodneycody8746]

Nice

[@handyhank1967]

This was the first coaster I rode.. it is missed

[@davidjellis]

Yes indeed - all very sad really

[@TreysIaw]

this ride aged well

[@davidjellis]

It had struggled for many years, however the new owner had clearly decided to bulldoze it and redevelop the land - a sad loss.

[@Derangedlefty]

Welp, it’s closed again, hope it reopens.

[@davidjellis]

any idea why it has closed...just the Blue Streak, or the whole park? Must be getting close to end of season anyway?

[@Derangedlefty]

@@davidjellis The park was bought, the tumble bug was removed and the lumber to repair the coaster was stolen. Now, they're removing the train tracks next to the coaster to supposedly make room for demolition. I hope to god that the coaster doesn't get demolished, but it doesn't look good for Blue Streak right now.

[@davidjellis]

@@Derangedlefty That would be so sad after all the work that was done to repair it and get it open again. I had heard the coaster was being kept despite other rides being removed...fingers crossed!

[@tinabarnard6011]

This park was a big part of my childhood and the person who bought it and lied to everyone about his intentions is piece of 💩. Sadly, now only memories remain of a once magical place.

[@davidjellis]

It's a very sad outcome to what was clearly a wonderful place that impacted so many lives. Thanks for commenting.

[@waldameerrocks0258]

Rip blue streak

[@davidjellis]

Indeed - all very sad

[@eyestoenvy]

Man that thing looked as if it delivered one hell of a ride, sad to see it go! Where was the national LANDMARK status ???? SMH

[@davidjellis]

was a very sad story really.

[@riparianlife97701]

He's the gay dude from Family Guy. I love him.

[@iangraham6351]

They replaced the lift hill after the 2019 season. I hope the renovations keep going!

[@robfassi3297]

Yeah but it’s rumored to be torn down

[@Wild1995]

looks like its closed for good this time with the recent park sale

[@davidjellis]

Let's hope not

[@jasonheitzenrater4786]

I live near there lucky is right lol

[@mr.blakester]

the description of this video didn't age well

[@davidjellis]

Sad indeed - the description has already been updated for the fire - but I will review again when the inevitable has been confirmed.

[@CoasterMan13Official]

I don't know which is rougher..... this one or Great American Scream Machine at Six Flags Over Georgia.

[@davidjellis]

Not sure either - I enjoyed both though!

[@dan_rises1154]

First

[@davidjellis]

Thanks :-)