I'm doing a science project and I need help on this question. What made John Allen's company so special at the time by his wooden roller coasters?

Well I wasn't alive back then but if I had to guess, what made them so special at the time was...

- Crazy airtime

- 'Out of control' feeling

- And all the same reasons they're special today

His company was Philadelphia Toboggan Company. It had very little competition, mostly from NAD. The rides were well built, durable and economical.

I don't know of any books about John Allen, but he followed in Herb Schmeck's footsteps at PTC so the book Herbert P. Scmeck The Forgotten Legacy would be a good read for you. If you are near Columbus I could lend it to you. The biggest thing I know is from Don Helbig telling us on a Beast tour that the secret to his success and his ride's longevity was that he placed his high stress elements close to the ground. Another trait of his was to have low floaty hills instead of a series of high hills. He passed this on to KI when The Beast was being planned, he also gave the crew at Ki his formulas and calculations on a place mat or menu at the International Street Restaurant when they were trying to coax him out of retirement. As a result all of the high speed turns and helix are very low.

I don't know of any books about John Allen, but he followed in Herb Schmeck's footsteps at PTC so the book Herbert P. Scmeck The Forgotten Legacy would be a good read for you. If you are near Columbus I could lend it to you. The biggest thing I know is from Don Helbig telling us on a Beast tour that the secret to his success and his ride's longevity was that he placed his high stress elements close to the ground. Another trait of his was to have low floaty hills instead of a series of high hills. He passed this on to KI when The Beast was being planned, he also gave the crew at Ki his formulas and calculations on a place mat or menu at the International Street Restaurant when they were trying to coax him out of retirement. As a result all of the high speed turns and helix are very low.

I'm near Cleveland, sounds like a great book.

It was put out by American Coaster Enthusiasts, if you're not a member it may be available at Amazon. I'll have to read it again now.

It's unavailable at Amazon and out of print.

I got a book at the library a couple weeks ago it has a paragraph about the Philadelphia Toboggan company, doesn't help much.

ACE still shows it at their online store, I didn't have to log in to get to the store. Maybe they have some available still, it's down to $18.00.