Jack Rabbit (Kennywood)

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Jack Rabbit

Kennywood
Location	West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, USA
Coordinates	40°23′13″N 79°51′47″W / 40.38686°N 79.86307°W / 40.38686; -79.86307
Status	Operating since June 20, 1920
Cost	$50,000 USD
Rider height	Minimum: 42 inch Min. unaccompanied: 48 inch

Statistics

Builder

Charlie Mach

Designer / calculations

John A. Miller

Type

Wooden - Terrain

Propulsion

Chain lift hill

Height

40 feet

Drop

70 feet

Top speed

45 mph

Length

2132 feet

Inversions

0

Drop angle

45°

Duration

1:36

Rolling stock

Manufacturer

Andrew Vettel

Riders per train

18

Jack Rabbit is a wooden terrain roller coaster located at Kennywood in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, USA. The ride was designed and built by John A. Miller in 1920.

History

Jack Rabbit was designed by John A. Miller and built by Charlie Mach in 1920, now tying Jack Rabbit as the fifth oldest operating roller coaster in the world. The ride opened on June 20, 1920.^[1]

The ride's tunnel, which covered the turnaround section after the first drop, was removed in 1947 when the new trains were ordered.

New cars from Philadelphia Toboggan Company were added in 1951.^[2]

In 1991, the tunnel was restored. However, it is a bit shorter than it had been before.

The ride was built shortly after Miller patented a new track design in 1920 (which all wooden coasters built since have used). This design involved the use of wheels both under and over the track, which allowed Miller to create the then enormous 70 foot drop that is the attraction's largest.

Design

Elements
Tunnel Chain lift hill Double down

According to Rick Sebak, producer of Pittsburgh history programs for WQED, the attraction was designed so that each train's last seat would provide the strongest airtime, and therefore the most desired ride.

Color scheme

Unpainted track and white supports.

Trains

3 trains with 3 cars per train. In each car, riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows, for a total of 18 riders per train.

The current trains were manufactured by Edward Vettel, Sr. in 1951. These aging trains are considered an essential part of the nostalgic experience the ride has, but also lead to the need of the 42 inch height restriction, as only a small lap bar is used to restrain the riders.

Popularity

Jack Rabbit is most well known and popular among enthusiasts for its double down following the lift hill. The double down produces strong airtime that makes the rider feel lifted from their seat (they are perfectly safe), and a feeling that the train leaves the track. It is considered an ACE Coaster Classic.

Images

Jack Rabbit's entrance
The ACE Coaster Landmark Plaque

References

↑ "Post-Sun Picnic for War Veterans Promises to Bring 10,000 Together". The Pittsburgh Post. 1920-06-20. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
↑ Jacques, Charles Jr. (1998). More Kennywood Memories. Amusement Park Journal. p. 91. ISBN 0-9614392-4-6.

External links

Jack Rabbit on the Roller Coaster DataBase.

Jack Rabbit on Coaster-Count.
Jack Rabbit on kennywood.com.

Tallest roller coaster drop 1920-1921
Preceded by Big Dipper	Tallest roller coaster drop 1920-1921	Succeeded by Coaster Dips Bobs (Riverview Park)