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 Kennywood Park, West Mifflin, PA

As you can see I was having a wonderful time at Kennywood. 

The Thunderbolt Roller Coaster at Kennywood Park, West Mifflin, PA

Our final coaster to showcase before our visit at Kennywood comes to an end is the legendary Thunderbolt. 

The ravine part of Thunderbolt was designed by John Miller back in 1924 and was known as The Pippin.  After the 1967 season Kennywood brought in designer Andy Vettel in to extend the coaster.  As a result of his work the Thunderbolt was born.

The Thunderbolt Roller Coaster at Kennywood Park, West Mifflin, PA

Thunderbolt starts out like The Pippin by diving you into a ravine, turning you around, diving back into the ravine before heading up the lift on the other side. 

The Thunderbolt Roller Coaster at Kennywood Park, West Mifflin, PA

From the crest of the lift until you dive back into the ravine The Thunderbolt is all Andy Vettel's work.  Just like how Morgan took Arrow's Steel Phantom and transformed that coaster into a masterpiece, Andy Vettel did the same thing when he created the Thunderbolt some thirty-three years before.

 The Thunderbolt Roller Coaster at Kennywood Park, West Mifflin, PA

Knowing the lateral insanity that was about to be unleashed Bond was all smiles.



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Paul B. Drabek