Thunderbolt Declared Kennywood’s Third Landmark Coaster
Sunday July 27, 2014 – A third roller coaster at Kennywood (Pittsburgh, PA) was declared a landmark!
The American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) recognized Thunderbolt for it’s historical significance. Thunderbolt, originally named “The Pippin”, was built in 1924. It’s tracks take passengers on a 1:48 ride along 3,250 feet of track, reaching a maximum speed of 55 miles per hour. Thunderbolt is now an “official” ACE landmark. A plaque was unveiled during a ceremony at the amusement park, which was founded in 1898.
“The American Coaster Enthusiasts uses this designation to single out historically significant coasters, and there’s no doubt the Thunderbolt is significant to Kennywood, western Pennsylvania and coasters in general,” said Jeff Filicko, a Kennywood spokesman. “It makes us the only park to have three roller coasters as designated landmarks, and that speaks to the preservation we have done and continue to do on the coasters year after year.”
As Jeff mentioned, The Thunderbolt joined the Jack Rabbit and Racer in distinction as an ACE Coaster Landmark, making Kennywood the only park in the world to have three roller coasters located in one park recognized by ACE.
Bill Linkenheimer, ACE’s regional representative for western Pennsylvania and a past president of the organization, said:
“Thunderbolt is a unique ride with a classic feel,” he said. “It’s neat because you go down a drop as soon as you come out of the station while most coasters start out with a big lift hill. The Thunderbolt can do that because it’s built on a hillside like the other Kennywood coasters. It has it’s lift hill in the middle and it’s biggest drop at 95 feet is the last one, which is also unusual. And it moves at about 55 miles per hour, which is pretty fast for that type of coaster.”
Video of Thunderbolt in action!
The non-profit group known natiknally as “ACE” (American Coaster Enthusiasts) was founded in 1978 and has honored 30 coaster landmarks nationwide since 2002.
According to the ACE website, There are 2,497 steel roller coasters and 212 wooden coasters worldwide, 766 coasters are in the United States.
Kennywood is a nostalgic amusement park located just 8 miles South of Pittsburgh, in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. It is owned and operated by Palace Entertainment.
For tickets and more information on Kennywood, visit their official website here.
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