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Cornball Express

Wood at Indiana Beach, Monticello, Indiana. Opened 2001.

By Theme Park Spot · Last reviewed November 8, 2026

Height
55 ft
Drop
50 ft
Top speed
45 mph
Length
2,100 ft
Inversions
0
Ride time
1 min 45 s
Designer
Custom Coasters International

Cornball Express is a wooden roller coaster at Indiana Beach in Monticello, Indiana. Custom Coasters International (CCI) designed and built it, and it opened on May 18, 2001. It was the 48th coaster CCI produced and one of its last designs before the company closed in 2002. The trains were designed by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters.

The ride climbs a 55-foot chain lift and covers about 2,100 feet of track at up to 45 mph, with no inversions. The park describes a twisting first drop followed by airtime hills, tight turnarounds and constant changes of direction. A single train of six cars carries 24 riders, who are held by seat belts and lap bars. The park lists a minimum height of 46 inches.

History

The coaster drew attention from enthusiasts soon after it opened. In 2002 the website ThemeParkCritic.com named it the top wooden coaster in the world, and it has placed in Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards list of top wooden coasters in most years since then.

Sources

  • indianabeach.com/rides/cornball-express (Park page: wood coaster, 55-foot climb, 45 mph in the text (46 mph in the stats box), duration 1 minute 45 seconds, minimum height 46 in.)
  • rcdb.com/741.htm (Operating since May 18, 2001; make Custom Coasters International, built by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters; length 2,100 ft, height 55 ft, speed 45 mph, 0 inversions.)
  • en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornball_Express (50 ft drop; opened May 18, 2001.)
  • public-assets.spotliodata.com/8fbb4808-f7e6-4a84-ae8d-d3c3d3... (Park's Safety & Accessibility Guide, approved for the 2025 season: lists All American Triple Loop (59-77 in.), Cornball Express (46 in.), Cyclone (48 in.), Den of Lost Thieves (44 in.), Hoosier Hurricane (48 in.), Lost Coaster of Superstition Mountain (48 in.), Steel Hawg (48 in.), Tig'rr (54 in.); park address 5224 East Indiana Beach Road, Monticello, IN 47960.)
  • clintoncountydailynews.com/?p=627681 (May 20, 2026 article on the park's 100th season: owner Gene Staples; seven coasters in 2026: All-American Triple Loop, Steel Hawg, Hoosier Hurricane, Cornball Express, Cyclone, Tig'rr and Lost Coaster of Superstition Mountain; Zero Gravity and Eddie's House of Monsters new for 2026.)

Numbers are from the ride's manufacturer and park where published; "n/a" means we have not confirmed that number yet. Spotted an error? Tell us.