Thunderbolt (Kennywood)

Roller coaster in the United States
Watch the on-ride POV
Thunderbolt
Kennywood
Location West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, USA
Coordinates 40°23′20″N 79°51′54″W / 40.388931°N 79.864889°W / 40.388931; -79.864889
Status Operating since 1924
Rider height 54 inch minimum
Statistics
Builder Andy Vettel
Designer / calculations John A. Miller
Type Wooden - Terrain
Propulsion Chain lift hill
Height 70 feet
Drop 90 feet
Top speed 55 mph
Length 3250 feet
Inversions 0
Duration 1:41
Rolling stock
Manufacturer National Amusement Devices (1958-present)
Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (1924-1957)
Riders per train 24
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Thunderbolt is a wooden roller coaster located at Kennywood in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, USA.

History

The ride was originally built by John A. Miller in 1924 and was named "Pippin" until 1967, when it changed to "Thunderbolt" beginning with the 1968 season, coinciding with an expansion of the track headed up by Andy Vettel. The four drops down into a ravine were incorporated in the Andy Vettel-designed Thunderbolt coaster. Thunderbolt was rated the #1 roller coaster by the New York Times in 1974, and it still is the most popular ride at Kennywood. The Thunderbolt still uses the 1958 Pippin trains manufactured by the National Amusement Device Company, known as "Century Flyers."

For the 2014 season, Thunderbolt received new front panels on its trains.

Design

Elements

Color scheme

Unpainted track and white supports.

Trains

3 trains with 4 cars per train. In each car, riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows, for a total of 24 riders per train.

Images

External links

Tallest roller coaster drop
1965 - April 1976
Preceded by
Coaster Dips

Bobs (Riverview Park)

Tallest roller coaster drop
1965 - April 1976
Succeeded by
Screamin' Eagle


Articles on Kennywood