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| 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
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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
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Jack Rabbit's entrance -
The ACE Coaster Landmark Plaque
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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 the parks website
| Tallest roller coaster drop 1920-1921 | ||
| Preceded by Big Dipper |
Tallest roller coaster drop 1920-1921 |
Succeeded by Coaster Dips Bobs (Riverview Park) |