Thunderbolt at Kennywood

I received a nice surprise in finding out that I may be able to hit Kennywood this year. Thunderbolt has interested me in the past and it really looks like a great ride. How is it running this year, and what exactly is it that gives it its 'punch?'

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|| Jonathan Hawkins ||
http://www.starcoasters.com
Top Gun: TJC flights - Approx. 220 (34 in 2002)

I can't comment on how it's running this year b/c I haven't been there yet. What gives it a punch? It's very unique. You start out leaving the station and just drop down a valley under PR. It's lifthill is in the middle of the ride. The lateral g's on the turns are great too. It's a great ride and words can only start to explain how unique and sweet it is.

While other parks were closing in record numbers, Kennywood enjoyed sucsess in the 1960s. Management had been adding a new ride each season for several years and wanted to maintain that momentum by rebuilding one of its early wooden roller coasters. The Jack Rabbit was a contender, but eventually park management zeroed in on John A. Miller's 1923-built Pippin Coaster. Kennywood's own Andy Vettel, of the famed Vettel coaster-building clan, would oversee the job. The reworkingof the Pippin was quietly initiated during the winter of 1967 and completed for the 1968 operating season.

Vettel kept the Pippin's incredible ravine section intact and added a high section of track on the flat area where the Pippin's station had been located. When a swirling mew collection of udulating hills and turns was integrated into the old ravine section, the Thunderbolt-and a new coaster legend-was born. Thanks to the ingenious new track layout, Kennywood ha a coaster whose drops got larger as the ride wnet on!

The new Thunderbolt used magnificent four-car Century Flyers that had been purchasedfrom National Amusement Devie for Pippin service. The trains begin the cirtcuit with a 40 foot plunge into the "back 40" Pippin section of the ride nested in a deep ravine. A tunnel, second dropp, and a long chain lift out of the valley take the silver trains up to the new section looming on a bluff over the Monongahela River. After complete the rollicking and instensive new segments of the ride, riders are unexpectedly flung back into the ravine on old Pippin trackage not once, but twice. The Thunderbolt's final 90 foot drop into ravine was and is the ride's biggest. Such an unpredictable layout and breathtaking finale are what earned the Thunderbolt a loyal following that grows in force with each passing season. Today, a ride on the Thunderbolt is a rite of passage for Pittsburghers as well as any up-and-coming enthusiast.

Kennywood is one of the world's finest traditional amusement parks. And as long as it is home to classic wooden roller coasters like the Thunderbolt, its future is ensured.

I'm heading to Kennywood for the first time this year too.

On the Kennywood web site, it says that you must ride with a partner on the Thunderbolt. Well, I'll be at the park alone. Does anyone know how the partner thing works? Is there an area you can wait in until another single rider comes along? Why is there a restriction? Is the rule strictly enforced or is it more of a guideline?

From my experience the no single riders rule is strickly enforced. There are no seat dividers (thank goodness) in the cars, and you get thrown about quite a bit as it is with a partner. I really wouldn't want to try it with out one. I have gone to Kennywood by myself and have ridden the T-bolt. If you let the ride ops know of your situation they'll let you wait up on the loading platform until they can find you a riding partner. Usually there are groups with odd numbers in them come along and in my experience you'll soon be on.

A couple of comments from someone who's been going to Kennywood his entire life.

1. Thunderbolt does indeed pack a "punch" - to say what does it is impossible, it's that mysterious intangible all designers are going for - the "wow factor". Thunderbolt is great ride, but I've never been able to explain exactly why to anyone.

2. Jackrabbit, Jackrabbit, Jackrabbit. Sure, it's just an old woodie for the most part, but that double dip hill packs the single most brutal spot of air on possibly any coaster (and Jackrabbit is 81 years old). Sit in the back seat and it feel like the train is trying to throw you out. It's well beyond "floater" air, it's ejection air in a serious way.

3. The "partner" rule is enforced. I don't know why Kennywood is so set on this policy but they always have been. They like to run full trains.

I hope you first timers enjoy your visits. Kennywood is great place to spend the day.

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www.coasterimage.com

*** This post was edited by Lord Gonchar on 4/24/2002. ***

Hate to disagree but I find Thunderbolt to be quite unmemorable. I've given it a chance in all three of my Kennywood trips, and each time I have enjoyed the other three (at the time) coasters better, even Racer.

The first drops into the ravine are an interesting design, but there's no real sensations, I don't think. The main part of the ride is basically a big *unbanked* undulating double helix, which lets you squish your seatmate, but not much else. And the trim before the final two drops kills any air.

Ride Jackrabbit twice instead.

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He let the contents of the bottle do the thinking; can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding.

Now that someone has had the courage to say it (Den), I will weigh in too.

I also found Thunderbolt to be "unmemorable".... and for basically the same reasons. First drop is unique, but that is about it. Is it a "good" coaster... sure... okay. But is it a GREAT coaster... well... maybe I was expecting too much.

Of the Kwood coasters, I found Jack Rabbit to be the best of the bunch (wear a parachute just incase you are unlucky on that double dip). (Can't comment on PR... I was there for the last year of SP).

We visited Kennywood on a Friday in May 2000, and then stopped at Lakemont on the way home the next day. Truthfully, enjoyed Skyliner more than Thunderbolt. Could have been a few things with Skyliner: Empty park with lots of re-rides... Airtime that rivals Jack Rabbit's... No high expectations to be let down (as a matter of fact, had planned on riding it "once for the count"... but then rode it 6 more times because it was so much fun).

*** This post was edited by SLFAKE on 4/24/2002. ***

Vertigo - Which book did that come out of? You should list your sources.

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"He's blazin' away like the stars in the universe.." A. Vega + M. Rev "Ghostrider"

Someday there will be something here.

If you want to have some extra fun on Thunderbolt, just take along a friend who hasn't ridden it before. When it's time to leave the station, engage them in conversation, them watch their reaction when the train drops suddenly instead of going up a lift hill.

I'll be making my first trip to Kennywood next month, and I'm eagerly awaiting some old school woodies and, of course, Phantom's Revenge. Thunderbolt sounds like the type of ride I enjoy-completely custom, suited to its environment, and hilariously fun. Can't wait!

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Doesn't it seem as though morons always have the caps lock on?

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chris said:
Vertigo - Which book did that come out of? You should list your sources.

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Seriously, did you just copy and paste that from somewhere?

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If the shoe fits, find another one.

Well, I hope that your plans hold up and you do make it out to Kennywood this year. It really is a great park if your into the traditional parks. T-Bolt's punch comes from its always increasing drops. The unique first drop out of the station is unlike any other woodie. The largest drop doesn't come till the end. Jack Rabbit is a classic John Miller woodie built just at the drawn of up-stop wheels. Yet another woodie with the lift hill halfway through the ride and the largest drop not until the last drop. Don't forget the single greatest moment of airtime. Racer is one of three wooden coasters left to be a complete circuit and still be able to race. Yet another classic John Miller woodie which turned 75 years old this year. Exterminator is a crazy mouse that has been themed to enhance the experience. Typical wild mouse but the car starts spinning halfway through the ride. Phantom's Revenge is a airtime machine and a speed demon. The first half of the layout is all about speed and the other half is all about crazy airtime. The last 30 seconds of the ride contains 6 moments of airtime delivered 3 different ways.

Then when you combine a well rounded line up of flats, water rides, and food stands, you get Kennywood Park. America's Finest Traditional Park

Coasterman Mike - who loves his Kennywood

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Now, a card carrying member of ACE.
Total rides on Pittfall: 255
Total rides on Superman:UE : 633

I rode the Thunderbolt 'brakeless' at the ACE convention in 1981 (?). It was fantastic. However, the braked version is merely so-so.

I'll be another to add to the "unmemorable" vote for T-Bolt. After waiting years to ride this and seeing that it had been voted the #1 woodie numerous times, I was very excited when I finally got the chance to ride. Was I in for a rude awakening. Except for the first drop the rest of the ride was painful and very forgetful. Except I can't forget it because it beat the c--p out of me and my wife. I will never ride this again. We loved Kennywood and are hoping to make it to KennyKon this year but we will stay far away from T-Bolt preferring to spend our time on Racer and Jack Rabbit. And we'll get our first rides on Phantom's Revenge.

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Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

Vertigo, you should really stop copying and pasting other people's text! Come on!

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- Peabody

I didn't copy and paste that from anywhere. That context is from my own report on the Thunderbolt for an 8th grade project. You guys are starting to get really cruel, especially since I know my history, it is discrimant to think that no one can know that much. How did you think I new all the info on the "First True Caoster" arguement? IF you don't believe me, you have my will to search the entire web and you'll find out that it didn't come from anywhere but I own words.

Also, read through, if I copied and pasted that, then why would there be so many grammatical errors and spelling mistakes that even I can spot?

*** This post was edited by Vertigo on 4/24/2002. ***

Fair enough, but having seen several posts of yours copied from places like screamscape, you can see how we would think those aren't your words.

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- Peabody

The only ones I have copied from Screamscape, I have qouted my source in bold at the top of the post, and the one from ultimate Coaster was also sited with it's source.

Thunderbolt, what a ride! In reading this thread, I see some people don't put it in the level of a world class coaster. I disagree with that statement. Riding in the backseat at night is increadble. Sure, it shakes you around, but that's what a good wooden coaster does. Dropping into the ravine in pitch black conditions is amazing. The turns let you have fun with the smashing. Take someone on it for the first time, and see how they react when you smash them. Also, it provides a good chance for a girl to "smash" in to you if you know what I mean. The last drop may only be 90 feet, but it always seems longer than that. It is one of my favorite drops. Say what you will about this coaster, but I for one love it, and the exit is right next to the enterance so you have a short walk for rerides.