Kennywood

When Kennywood Entertainment announced their plans for the removal of Steel Phantom last spring, at first nobody believed it. Once they overcame their shock, the hue and cry from the gathering of American Coaster Enthusiasts at CoasterBash resounded across the Internet. A great many travel plans were scrapped as people rearranged their summer schedules to say goodbye to this annually-ranked "Top Ten" roller coaster. Personally, we made two trips ourselves to ride it one last time. There was so much concern expressed to the park that they decided to release the information about the changes in August rather than wait until January 2001. The major details: the inversions would be removed, the first drop would stay the same, the second drop extended and major airtime would be added. Coaster enthusiasts from all over collectively breathed a sigh of relief, for the famed second drop through the Thunderbolt would remain. The most fascinating news was that a new company rather than the original builder would do the rehabbing.
D. H. Morgan would be the builder, as opposed to Arrow Dynamics, the original builder. This unique partnership of manufacturers is also reflected in the new trains. The removal of the inversions made the OTSRs superfluous, so Morgan built new car bodies that utilize the Arrow chassis. The new cars are pleasing to the eye, complete with rear wings, and even more pleasing to the head, with a side-mounted lap bar. The extension of the second drop through the Thunderbolt increased the speed to 85 MPH. After racing through the Thunderbolt structure, the riders will then immediately go into a high-speed turn banked at 82 degrees, then climb back through the Thunderbolt into a series of bunny hops turning back to the station. The changes added 365 more feet of track to the ride. Sharp-eyed enthusiasts can compare the differences in track style from the station. There is no noticeable difference in feeling between the two types of track while riding.
How does it ride? Ultra smooth and extremely fast; so fast that the park is in the process of installing a series of magnetic trim brakes to stop the train from overshooting into the station. At the present time, Kennywood can only utilize single train operation due to the excessive speed the train carries into the brake run. If there were a delay in dispatching the train in the station, the train on the track would potentially ram it from behind due to the brake being unable to stop it outside of the station. While this does make the line longer, it is sure exciting in the front car; it comes to a stop past the line for the back seat.
The ride is amazingly smooth. The entire train seems to float down the second drop and set down with a solid "thunk" at the bottom, just before pulling up into the banked turn. The lack of inversion means the train can carry the speed all the way home to the station. When you go through the Thunderbolt for the second time, you still duck because of the great head chopper effect. Flying around the "Turtle," one cannot help but compare this new ride to a favorite of yesteryear. It is incredible how much rides have changed in 75 years. While the "Turtle" used to be considered a thrill ride, now it is relegated to the category of family ride. While it is still fun, Phantom's Revenge leaves it in the dust.
This incredible transformation has improved this ride beyond my expectations. Yes, I will miss the Steel Phantom, but I will be also getting in line to ride Phantom's Revenge again and again and again! And after all, this is how Kennywood Park wanted people to feel about Phantom's Revenge. Congratulations to Kennywood Park and D. H. Morgan for a job well done. - Scott Holmes
Editor's Note: We'd like to thank both Scott and Carol Holmes for a fantastic trip report! I've never been to Kennywood, but have seen pictures for ages of Steel Phantom. Now, I look forward to some day, making the voyage to Kennywood Park to face Phantom's Revenge! It sure sounds like a winner to me!