The historic coaster has been cruising through Kennywood for generations.
In a city known for its quirky regional idiom , Pittsburgh’sKennywoodamusement park has worked its way into the local lexicon . When a fellow yinzer tell you that “ Kennywood ’s unfastened , ” they either mean that the logic gate are unfold for the first clock time each spring — or that your fly sheet is down . And while most Pittsburghers have ventured to larger Park likeCedar Point , Six Flags , and Busch Gardens to check out some of theworld ’s most daring thrill rides , the absolute majority of us local will still exact that our hometown coasters are the undecomposed around . kid in this urban center grow up picnicking with classmate in the suspicious groves at the commons , and parent are more likely to mensurate their child ’s outgrowth milestone by which rides they are eligible for than by tick Deutsche Mark on a door frame .
I grow up going to Kennywood . As a parent myself now , I ’ve start taking my four kids to the park — even splurging on season passes so we can razz over and over or pop on down for a fast evening of sport . This summertime several of my kids were in conclusion tall enough for myfavorite drive in the full parking area , a wooden coaster called the Thunderbolt .
I will never forget the first meter I was grandiloquent enough to line up up for the Thunderbolt , one of the oldest drive in the park . I had spend years of my puerility watching it race past the sidewalk , rattling the solid ground and shaking the vegetation as it shove past , and I almost chickened out the first metre I was eligible to squeeze into the car . Its white bod swoops and dips along the Monongahela River as it jerks riders around like only a wooden coaster can . Despite the fact that most of the other wooden coasters in the park allow for youthful children to room , the Thunderbolt has a tall height requirement of 52 inches . I have a vivid memory of my mom transfix up my best protagonist ’s hair to see if we could sneak her on with me when she was a mere quarter inch too little ( it did n’t solve ) .
Kennywood
This summer , as I hopped into stock with my tall - enough kids , my nine - year - old daughter pointed out a memorial tablet hop on on the facade . It scan , " National Historic District : Once appoint the King of Coasters byThe New York Times , the Thunderbolt opened in 1968 . Its unequaled design uses the first two and last two dips of the Pippin , with the airlift hill body structure and spiral bend total that year . The trains , also from the Pippin , are still in use today . "
My rarity was thoroughly piqued . By the sight of the plaque , it was not raw . I just had never notice it before . King of Coasters ? The Pippin ?
I decided to reach out toPalace Entertainment , which owns Kennywood Park and several other local amusement and water parks . It turns out the history of this local classic is storied and fascinating . Lynsey Winters , the communications managing director for the parking area , told me the drive did indeed first open in 1924 under the name “ the Pippin . ” This is the coaster my own parents first rode , before it was reimagined as the Thunderbolt . For the 1968 season , the track was redesigned in - star sign by Andy Vettel , Sr .
Kennywood
The most daring part of the ride — the drop into the ravine along the river — was part of the Pippin . Vettel add a lift hill and several helix turns in the heart of the ride that upped the thrill gene importantly . Three of the Century Flyer prepare still in purpose on the drive have been racing around the lead since the 1950s , without much modification . It ’s not a immense surprise ; when you settle into the car and the streak drops , it feelsbarelysecure , though I ’ve not fly out yet . Smaller passenger actually “ get air ” on some of the larger drop , though my now - center - aged body now deposit itself firmly in place .
The True Confessions of a Disney Adult
Inside the enduring appeal of the Most Magical Place on Earth
Winters excuse that the plaque , which immortalize theNew York Timesnaming the ridethe “ King of Coasters ” in 1974 , put Kennywood on the Earth degree for the first time . “ It ’s also credited as throw an essential role in the result ecumenical coaster boom , ” she told me .
This story and worldwide ill fame for certain make our loops around the Thunderbolt feel more special , as if we are cruising along on a piece of history . At the same time , I ’ve bonk this ride for as long as I can remember because it isours . Through decades in a jet steel town assay over and over to reinvent itself , a few thing have remained reproducible : We are good at football and even substantially at thrill rides .
As a Kyd riding the Thunderbolt , I always disquieted I would fly out of my seat . As an adult , I simply schedule a massage for the daylight after I choose to mount it . Clambering aboard the Thunderbolt secures local kids a courage wag amongst their friends as they talk about who has done it , and who has yet to go through this rite of transition . My own kids have now clear these bragging rights . And through the geezerhood , the Thunderbolt speed on .
Photo courtesy of Palace Entertainment
Heinz History Center
