Thunderbolt at Kennywood

The Thunderbolt truely is an amazing coaster, one of my tops at Kennywood. We were there opening day, and the trims weren't on.....my goodness, I've never been on it when it has been that fast! WOW! You do have to have a partner, but for the most part, if you don't they will find someone in the station for you. Overall, A ride!!

shoewee

http://shoewee.tripod.com

Thunderbolt is also one of the most reridable coaster wit hits plethora of thrills.

All I can say about the Thunderbolt it, they sure don't build them like that any more! Plus, you gotta love those NAD trains! Forget fiberglass and plastic, I want a metal train for my coaster!

-----------------
- Peabody

Thunderbolt is very hit or miss. If you hit it on a good day (like opening day this year -- light to no trims and wet track!) it's a VERY good ride. Even on a "bad" day, it's a decent ride.

I DO wish I'd gotten a chance to ride it the year it became Thunderbolt (before I was born, unfortunately) -- apparently that year there was a bunny hop in the middle of the bowl that gave crazy air right in the middle of those laterals...

-----------------
--Greg
"Are you justified in taking life to save life?" -- The Great Debate, Dream Theater
My page

I think its cool I have all off those classic woodies but they have done a good job at getting some modern ones too which makes for a great park.(ie PR, Exterminator, Pit Fall)

-----------------
What ever floats your boat-What ever bursts your bubble - What ever tickles your pickle :)

I'm surprised no one has pointed out that the tunnel was removed the year Steel Phantom opened.

I agree TB is a hit/miss ride. When I first rode it at the ACE Con when SP opened (`91 I think), it was insanely great--full of airtime. Then when I went back for the next time the ACE Con was there, it wasn't anywhere near as good as I remembered it, but they did have the headlight operating which is a cool effect at night. Half way though your first ride, you'll see why they don't allow single riders. :-)
This is a good example of what an insane ride it would be if there were no trim brakes. I wish they would add back that bunny hop to the bowl section. I wonder if it was better than Timber Wolf's banked bunny hop through the lifthill (before the brake was added). That thing used to make you jump the seat divider from left to right.

I went to Kennywood last summer in May on a 10-day coaster trip, but when we got there, the Thunderbolt was still under reconstruction, so we didn't go in and drove to Hershey instead. So I haven't been on Phantom's Revenge yet. I'm glad to hear it's full of air time, cuz the layout didn't impress me too much.

I'm glad to see that others agree on the insane air time from Jack Rabbit's double dip. I loved the bit about taking along a parachute, LOL. It's amazing they allow the ride to opeate with the lack of restraints.

Also, you gotta love the Racer and being able to slap hands and pass things back and forth between the two trains. What a great ride!

Don't forget about the Potato Patch! Yummy cheese fries!
Wish I could make it to Kennywood this summer, but I don't think it's gonna happen.
-------------
-Matt in Iowa
193 coasters ridden
#1 Shivering Timbers

Oops, my bad. Re: the Timber Wolf.
The jump across the seat divider was from right to left.. :-)
-------------
-Matt in Iowa
193 coasters ridden
#1 Shivering Timbers