Kennywood's Thunderbolt reaches the century mark

Semantics really but 20-25 years ago hard to imagine any one counting this as the same coaster as the Pippin. Not sure if I buy the 100 years celebration.

As I understood it the first and last drops were kept from the original and reworked from there. Never really found a picture of the layout of the old Pippin. Believe remember hearing that there was a double dip on the Pippin.

Back in 1924 that last drop had to be incredible for the time and near the record for the time.

Pippin’s station was around where the drop after the lift is now. It rolled along the ground tracing the current path somewhat (behind where potato patch is) and turned to the first drop. The second drop into the ravine lead to a lift as it does now. There was a u-turn at the top and the double dip went to ground level then back into the ravine, not unlike what Jack Rabbit did. (Does) The last drop is like the current one and it hopped onto the brake then turned into the station. It was a simple layout and very similar to JR, so it’s easy to see why they decided to go with something different. And we’re all the better for it.

I would say Thunderbolt is my favorite coaster at Kennywood. I just wish my husband's back was still good enough for him to ride it with me. At least he can still do Jack Rabbit and Racer. I was curious about the Pippen after seeing the 100 year signs there last week. Really never knew much about Kennywood other than it existed until the last few years.

Haven't ridden Thunderbolt in a few years, but by last account it was my favorite wooden coaster (that hasn't been, redone, new trains, etc.). Haven't ridden since the seat belts were put in, and never rode it w/o the trim brake, but still my favorite. The trains and ability to squish your riding partner, totally classic.

We rode Thunderbolt in 2021. I believe the seatbelts were on then, but overall, I don't remember them being detrimental to the ride at all. Those NAD trains are wonderful to ride!

Rode it three times on August 3rd this year. It still kicks butt. How many combination out and back twister rides with double dips are out there?

I don't think the belts on any of the Kennywood wood coasters are restrictive enough to affect the experience. I think single fixed bar versus separate bars that get cranked down as far as possible by ride ops are what kills it on some of the coasters at Cedar Point. Necessary on Millenium but pointless on Blue Streak.

They don't detract from the ride at all but they do slow the loading procedure. Fun fact. Did you know you can raise the lap bar as the train is entering the station?

^Love that. Meteor at Little Amerricka in Wisconsin still has that classic feature. They also send you around the circuit 3-4 times!