Jack Rabbit (Kennywood)

Jack Rabbit is a wooden roller coaster located at Kennywood Park near Pittsburgh in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. Designed and built by John A. Miller[2] and Harry C. Baker,[3] Jack Rabbit opened in 1920, making it one of the oldest roller coasters in the world still in operation.[4] The ride's three trains were manufactured by Edward Vettel, Sr. in 1951 and contain three cars of six seats each. The aging cars are considered a part of the ride's nostalgic experience but also lead to some young children being disallowed to enter the ride (42” is the minimum), due to the use of a small lap bar to hold in riders. A popular early feature of the ride was a tunnel which covered the turnaround section after the first drop, but this was removed in 1947 when the new cars were ordered. In 1991, the tunnel was restored, at a slightly shorter length.

Jack Rabbit
Kennywood
Coordinates40°23′12″N 79°51′46″W
StatusOperating
Opening date1920
Cost$50,000 USD
Kennywood Park
Location4800 Kennywood Blvd., West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
Area40 acres (16 ha)
Built1898 (1898)
ArchitectDavidson,George S.
NRHP reference No.87000824[1]
Added to NRHPFebruary 27, 1987
General statistics
TypeWood
ManufacturerHarry C. Baker
DesignerJohn A. Miller
Track layoutTerrain, Out and Back roller coaster
Lift/launch systemChain lift hill
Height40 ft (12 m)
Drop70 ft (21 m)
Length2,132 ft (650 m)
Speed45 mph (72 km/h)
Inversions0
Duration1:36
Max vertical angle45°
Height restriction42 in (107 cm)
Trains3 trains with 3 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows for a total of 18 riders per train.
Jack Rabbit at RCDB

The Jack Rabbit was built shortly after Miller patented a new track design in 1920 (which all wooden coasters built since have used). This design involved the use of wheels both under and over the track, which allowed Miller to create the then enormous 70-foot (21 m) drop that is the attraction's largest. It is most well known for its double dip element following the lift hill. The double dip produces strong airtime that makes the rider feel that they will be thrown from the seat, and a feeling that the train leaves the track (it rises up but the upstop wheels keep it firmly on the rails).

According to Rick Sebak, producer of Pittsburgh history programs for WQED, the layout and train design results in the rear seat of each train experiencing the greatest amount of airtime.

In 2019, Kennywood released a video of the Jack Rabbit, likely from 1920, on their YouTube channel. The video features clips of people on the ride and clips taken from the front row seat of the Jack Rabbit. Kennywood claims their video is "the oldest coaster POV video in the world".[5]

Awards

The nonprofit organization American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) designated Jack Rabbit as a Coaster Classic.[6] The ACE also designated Jack Rabbit as an "ACE Roller Coaster Landmark" in June 2010.[7] It is also a contributing structure to the Kennywood Park historic district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[8]

Golden Ticket Awards: Top wood Roller Coasters
Year19981999200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920222023
Ranking 20[9]22[10]36[11]37[12]42[13]34[14]28[15]37[16]33[17]34[18]39[19]20[20]23[21]16[22]18[23]19[24]21[25]20[26]26[27]20[28]20[29]12[30]15[31]
  • The orange train after departing the station.
    The orange train after departing the station.
  • The pink train begins its descent down the double dip. This train has since been repainted orange as seen in the other photos.
    The pink train begins its descent down the double dip. This train has since been repainted orange as seen in the other photos.
  • The double dip, the Jack Rabbit's signature element, as seen from the queue at left along with the ride's first drop next to it.
    The double dip, the Jack Rabbit's signature element, as seen from the queue at left along with the ride's first drop next to it.
  • The orange train loading in the station.
    The orange train loading in the station.


References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jack Rabbit (Kennywood).
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  2. Marden, Duane. "Jack Rabbit  (Kennywood)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  3. Miller and Baker Inc. 1923 Catalogue (reprint). Natrona Heights, PA: Amusement Park Journal. 1923.
  4. "World's Oldest Operating Roller Coasters". National Amusement Park Historical Association. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  5. Kennywood Jack Rabbit The World's Oldest Coaster POV!, archived from the original on 2021-12-21, retrieved 2021-05-25
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  7. "Coaster Landmark Awards - Jack Rabbit". www.aceonline.org.
  8. Kennywood Park (Kenny's Grove) (Report). National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service. February 27, 1987. p. 5.
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