Leap-The-Dips
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Leap-The-Dips | |
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| Location | Lakemont Park |
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| Type | Wood - Side friction |
| Status | Open |
| Opened | 1902 |
| Manufacturer | Edward Joy Morris Company |
| Designer | Edward Joy Morris |
| Height | 41 ft (12 m) |
| Drop | 9 ft (2.7 m) |
| Length | 1,452 ft (443 m) |
| Duration | 1:00 |
| Max vertical angle | 25° |
| Leap-The-Dips at RCDB Pictures of Leap-The-Dips at RCDB |
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Leap-The-Dips is the world's oldest operating wooden roller coaster and North America's last surviving side friction roller coaster. It is located at Lakemont Park in Altoona, Pennsylvania and was built in 1902 by the E. Joy Morris Company. Leap-the-Dips operated until 1985, when it closed due to disrepair. A fund-raising campaign led to a restoration starting in 1997 and a reopening on Memorial Day 1999.
The ride is quite tame by today's standards, being only 41 ft (12.5 m) in height and having an average speed of 10 mph (16 km/h). Leap-The-Dips is considered a quite fun (and of course nostalgic) ride.
The Leap-The-Dips is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and in 1996 was designated a National Historic Landmark. It is also an American Coaster Enthusiasts Coaster Classic and Coaster Landmark.[1][2]
Leap-The-Dips was also a popular coaster opened to the public in 1908 located in the city of Mount Clemens in the state of Michigan. It is said that ten barrels of paint had been used on the structure as well as it described as having a length of 3,200 feet. The coaster was declared unsafe in 1923 and was dismantled in 1925. Mount Clemens is also where J.H.C was founded.
[edit] Current Issues
2005: The Leap-The-Dips is suffering from old age, as mechanical problems kept it closed for all but two weeks of the 2005 season. The wood supports for the side friction rails often needed to be replaced, and during its brief operation several cars stalled out, unable to gain enough momentum to finish.
2006: A notable year for the Leap-The-Dips, with people waiting in long lines to ride it throughout the season. Few car-stalling problems occurred, although a few wood supports did need to be fixed or replaced.
2007: The Leap-The-Dips remains fully operational, and attracts riders both young and old. The track was changed so the cars move faster, enhancing the strain on the beams and also the psychological sense of danger associated with riding the world's oldest wooden roller coaster.
[edit] External links
- Lakemont Park and Island Waterpark Official Site
- Leap-the Dips On-Ride Video on Google Video
- Leap-The-Dips in Mount Clemens on Mount Clemens Public Library site resource
[edit] References
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