Jack Rabbit (Kennywood)

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Jack Rabbit

Kennywood Location West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, USA Coordinates 40.386860°N 79.863070°W / 40.386860; -79.863070 Status Operating since 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
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Jack Rabbit is a wooden terrain roller coaster located at Kennywood in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, USA. The ride was designed and built by John Miller in 1920.

History

Designed by John A. Miller and built by Charlie Mach in 1920, Jack Rabbit is the joint-5th oldest operating roller coaster in the world. A popular early feature of the ride was a tunnel which covered the turnaround section after the first drop, but this was removed in 1947 when the new trains were ordered.

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

External links

• 
  Jack Rabbit on the Roller Coaster DataBase.

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

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