Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters

Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters is one of the oldest existing roller coaster manufacturing companies in the world. Based in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, it was established in 1904 by Henry B. Auchy and Chester Albright, making amusement devices, including carousels, wooden roller coasters, and their trains. The company's carousels were preferred among discriminating clients, for their elaborate carvings and elegant decorations. Among their lead carvers were Daniel Carl Muller, Leo Zoller, John Zalar and, most importantly, Frank Caretta. Fine examples of the company's carousels (manufactured 1904–1934) exist throughout the United States. A few of the rides the Philadelphia Toboggan Company built include the Rollo Coaster at Idlewild Park in 1938, and the carousel for the same amusement park in 1931. The company also manufactured Skee Ball machines for many years. In 1926, PTC was granted a trademark on a new name, Philtobco, created in an apparent attempt to add pizzaz to a long, honorable, name.

The company built coasters from 1904 to 1979. Notable coaster designers included Joe McKee, John A. Miller, Herbert Schmeck, Frank Hoover and John C. Allen. When John Allen retired in 1976, the company stopped designing roller coasters but continued to work on coaster projects until 1979 when it stopped building coasters altogether. The company continued to build roller coaster trains.

On November 27, 1991, Tom Rebbie and Bill Dauphinee purchased the Philadelphia Toboggan Company from its former owner, the late Sam High (1934–2011). The 87-year-old company changed its name to Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters and Rebbie was appointed president. Rebbie bought out Dauphinee in 2007 to become the sole owner and the name was slightly modified to Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. (PTCI). Today PTCI is the leading supplier of wooden roller coaster trains.