What's the oldest operating coaster?

I was watching AFN over here in Germany, and they had a short commercial explaining that the Zippin Pippen (b. 1915) was the oldest coaster still operating in the US. Now, I was very much under the impressiong that Leap the Dips at Lakemont Park (b 1902) was the oldest operating coaster. I know that Leap the Dips was SBNO for a while, but that doesn't change the fact that it is still the oldest coaster running in the US. The commercial gave no clarification on the fact that the ZP was the oldest continually operating coaster in the US (is it?). Am I off base, or is this spot just flat out wrong? It irked me.

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Jman
Webmaster: Gravibulb Coasters - Home of Professional Quality Coaster Photos
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Yep! Leap the Dips be it! You've got all your facts straight!

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-Charlie Weingartner
"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it."

The Aerial Glide at Shipley Glen: http://www.colinm.jolt.co.uk/shipley_glen.htm
Might be older than Leap the Dips. It's not in the US though.

Clementon Park's Jack Rabbit comes close to ZP. I think that one is from 1919.
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Ripple Rock Amusement Park
The most fun you can have in 2X4 feet!

You may have simply missed the word *continuously* in the phrase....ZP is the oldest CONTINUOUSLY operating coaster in the US, while LTD is the oldest overall....

Apparently in restoring LTD, which sat idle for quite some time, a furniture maker was brought in to do most of the work...and based on ALL reports, did a fantastic job.

edit: P.S. Isn't Aerial Glide the ride that is in SERIOUS jeopardy? Pretty sure there was a news item about that ride recently...
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*** This post was edited by rollergator 4/29/2003 11:14:35 AM ***

A lot of people seem to forget about Wild One at SFA (originaly The Giant at while at Paragon Park) which was built in 1917. Even though it has been moves and re tracked many times, people seem to forget how old the ride actually is.

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Leap the Dips is still operating in it's original location - unlike Zippin Pippin which was moved in 1923. Does that count for anything?

NAPHA lists LTD as the oldest coaster, Zippin Pippin doesn't come in until #9 (because they are using the 1923 move date) and they show two other coasters are older then the 1915 ZP - Scenic Railway (1912) Luna Park, Melbourne, Australia and Rutschbanen (1914) Tivoli, Copenhagen, Denmark.

No mention of the Aerial Glide and yes, that is the one that is in trouble. That story is how I found out about it too.

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Ripple Rock Amusement Park
The most fun you can have in 2X4 feet!

yea the scenic railway in melbourne is one of the oldest was that 1912 or 1916? i can't remember, but that coaster as well was SBNO for a while because one of it's coasters derailed, killing everyone i think:S. but yea at the moment i believe it still runs

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Colossus [1]
Nemesis: Inferno [6]

Thanks...I knew they were screwed up. I know they did NOT say "continuously operating" because I specifically listened for that caveat, knowing about LTD; none such caveat was mentioned. I just hate it when people present a false view of facts, regardless of the subject matter.

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Jman
Webmaster: Gravibulb Coasters - Home of Professional Quality Coaster Photos
http://balder.prohosting.com/gravbulb/coasters/