Damn, this coaster sat through the times of World War 1, World War 2, The Cold War, Vietnam War, etc. I wonder how its still standing considering its over 100 years old. Do they constantly replace slabs of wood?
I grew up in this town riding this coaster many summers. When I moved away as a young adult It would be years before I would be able to ride again. It was that first time back that I realized the major difference between new coaster design and the design of this one. This coaster scares me more than the new high speed coasters mainly because of the way it steers itself. It relies on the integrity of the wooden rails to guide the cart. Today you are lucky to run 1-2 cars at a time. Back in its day we would have about 6. The car would sometimes come off the track in the dips! Great times!
People who speak badly about Dips have obviously never rode it. Not only is it one of the most interactive pieces of history still around, it's also a hell of a lot of fun. (:
Genuinely scarier than any steel coaster I've ridden, because this one has an actual sense of danger to it lol. It feels like it might collapse at any point.
I remember riding this in the early 80s when I was a kid.... Rode it again when it reopened... Love it... And yes... I am from that area... I grew up in that park and others in the surrounding areas.
I was raised in that town and even worked as a ride operator at that park when I was 14 & 15 (1994/5)! We used to always joke that if that ride was ever operational, none of us wanted to be the controller because we knew it was going to fall apart! But I'm glad to see funds were raised to restore yet another piece of history in Altoona, PA.
Kelvin Wang It can't derail because it has wheels on the sides of the car that contact the side rails on each side of the tracks. The car can't go off the tracks because the side rails prevent the cars from going sideways off the tracks. And there is no way that car is going to jump higher than those side rails!
Joseph Hicks Technically, side-friction roller coasters (all 9 of them left in the world) can derail vertically, as there are no up-stop wheels below the track to hold the cars down, resulting in the pop and mild whiplash-esque effect coming out of each 9 foot dip. These rides were essentially designed to run in a trough akin to a log flume with no water. Up-stop wheels came first came about in 1911 (US Patent 1,038,174 application November 24, 1911 Issued September 10, 1912 ) which allowed steep grades and higher hills without needing a brakeman to ride the train to prevent a flying train, causing this type to fall out of favor. The last side friction coaster built was constructed in 1951 (Vuoristorata)
im from the 2k generation, but i prefer the classic wooden coasters over any steel coaster. Kings island is my home park, and The BEAST is my favorite rollercoaster. And ive rode everything at that park.
Brings back memories - first coaster I ever rode as a kid was an old, wooden figure-eight ride on seaside holidays, then graduated to full size, decades old wooden coaster in another nearby park (safety rules were much more lax back then, kids could ride as long as an adult was with them, and dad is a big coaster fan, so it was the start of that for the pair of us, every holiday after that till I was an adult!)
The Scenic Railway is the oldest continually operating coaster in the world, operating continuously for 100 years. However, Leap the Dips originally opened 110 years ago, but closed in 1985 until 1999 after restoration efforts lead to the reopening of Leap the Dips following 14 years of standing still.
I was talking about The Scenic Railway in Melbourne's Luna Park. Themeparkreview has a POV video of THAT Rollercoaster, which, when this rollercoaster was not operating, was the rollercoaster with the record of "oldest operating rollercoaster".
I love that the people behind Coaster Force put info about the rides in the description, it helps some non-enthusiasts (not me, I am a enthusiast on roller coasters) not be brain farts on rides
To be fair, this is the oldest currently operating coaster. The one in Australia is the oldest coaster in continual use. In 100 years, it's never closed down. This one did close for a few years. That's the difference.
I wish companies would start making other types of wooden coaster again. I know that Knoebels is putting a lot of effort into making a modern wooden bobsled, but what about other extinct or endangered breeds like Virginia Reels, reversers, scenic railways, backety-back railways (like the one at Crystal Beach), figure-8 toboggans, and wooden wild mice?
What's really funny is I live there and lakemont park (which is where the coaster is located) has holiday lights on the lake so I was there today even though it's the middle of December. But the owners of the park have really let it go and there is a rumour that the park will be demolished and the leap the dips will be relocated. And my cousins and I work as lifeguards there so that would suck.
Thanks for sharing. I was feeling the entire ride. Also, there's nothing like the clicking sound when you are going up a hill and know that means you are going down. What a rush!
Wow, must take a trip out there and ride it! As a fan of history, and old machinery, I think it'll be worth the whiplash and wood splinters. Video probably doesn't do it justice, but I bet it scoots pretty good and shakes and vibrates during the ride,that's the fun that keeps wooden coasters in operation.
Guys you have to remember this was built in 1902 and they didnt have the tech. we do so of course its going to be lame to us. I just thought I would point that out.
After being closed since 2017 sometime, this coaster is going to reopen to the public after an extensive refurbishment in 2020. From 1902 and they could've made up any excuse to wait until 2021. I have a lot of respect for this park, as others take a crummy way out and say no to opening there "newest thing" while a 1902 ride that takes years of work say every 15-17 years or so to be ready again is billed and ready to go. Lakemont Park, live on forever.
Also for some reason this ride makes me think of the intamin space diver. In the way that the concept could be revisited in some way to make for a new kind of experience. Why not look to our past more? We have modern versions of huss enterprises, giant frisbees, many drop towers, coasters that are using air power to launch growing in number, an italian maker who replaced the old flying swiss bobs with a modern suspended himalya/music express type. S&S has sported selling a new steeplechase. Let B&M revisit that space diver design and see if gravity group could explore the leap the dips kind of coaster.
@@oneandonlysound3453 Just rode it. I'm not coaster enthusiast, but I have definitely never had this type of coaster ride before. The dips as you move along is such a unique feature that I don't even remember having in kiddie coasters. I wish I had brought my own extra seat padding so I wouldn't have had any reservation of letting go for the couple of good airtime and letting myself get slammed back down on the seat. The seat padding may not be sufficient for those with lower back problems to let yourself get slammed down. No lapbar or seatbelt restraints whatsoever except for handle bars to hold on to. I mean, it's really not needed. This was a fun coaster to worth crossing off ones bucket list.
Scenic Railway - built in 1911, the Scenic Railway is the oldest continually-operating roller coaster in the world, and one of only 2 in existence requiring a brakesman to stand in the middle of the train. For these reasons, it is regarded as an ACE Coaster Classic.[3] While the Scenic Railway is the oldest roller coaster in continuous operation, Leap the Dips at Lakemont Park, Altoona, Pennsylvania, United States is the oldest roller coaster in the world that is currently operating.
@CCprod422 ...True, but only because there was no competition to speak of. Thank your grandparents for setting the bar...and the generations after that for pole-vaulting over it!
It's not very fast paced, but it looks like a good family ride. It also doesn't have any restraining devices (not even seat belts), which adds to the thrill.
The confusion is caused by people like myself remembering when LTD was closed and Scenic Railway WAS technically the oldest operating coaster during that period.
It's so wierd to look at an all-wooden TRACK! I don't think I'd get a huge thrill, but I wouldn't mind riding this one to feel it's leaping first-hand. It's ability to leap is somewhat unusual these days, as all coasters have added an additional set of rollers UNDER the track starting with the Jack Rabbit in 1920, though these second set of rollers enable those sudden drops that we all love!
Scenic Railway is the oldest CONTINUALLY operating coaster (as in, open every day), Leap The Dips is still the absolute oldest, but it was SBNO for quite a time before a restoration.
this coaster is the oldest working coaster still in operation it was built it 1902 and is the only side friction coaster still in operation anywhere it listed as a historical landmark
Coaster companies should start making side-friction coasters again. Of course, not all side -friction coasters were as tame as this one; the Giant Coaster at Crystal Beach had large drops, as did the Runaway Coaster at Folkestone.
SO COOL!! I went on this when I was ten years old, back in the 1970's!! So glad they decided to refurbish it, back then , the ride looked like it was going to fall apart!
North America's last surviving side friction coaster, but I think there are more elsewhere in the world. Leap-The-Dips is the oldest operating coaster in the world, though.
The very first riders of this roller coaster had Teddy Roosevelt as their president, the average life expectancy was 47, the average US worker made between 200 and 400 dollars a year, the American flag had 45 stars, and the population of Las Vegas was 30.
Coasterforce, you guys have great videos and a great youtube channel. However, your website could use some updating. The Dorney Park page still has Possessed named as Voodoo, and the Kings Dominion page doesn't have I-305 yet.
Good stuff....National Register of Historic Places, was designated a National Historic Landmark. It is also an American Coaster Enthusiasts Coaster Classic and Coaster Landmark
No it's not, silly. It's obviously an Intamin ride, made before Bolliger and Mabillard left the company. B&M's side-friction coasters had different cars. Haven't you seen Batman: The Side-Friction Ride?
I think the first type of coasters that were invented were wooden side friction coasters. This is the first one. Damn this is so old and its still working.
This is in my hometown I road it a couple of times and once your done your back in hurting from all the bumps. But I think it is cool I road the worlds oldest roller coaster
Only kids who aren't knowledgeable about coasters harshly criticize grand trailblazing attractions like this bucketlist coaster; Typical 2K+ generation. I can't wait to ride it.
For the idiots who mock this historic attraction and call it stupid or says that it sucks, you must be the same type of idiots who would walk into the Air and Space Museum and take a look at the Wright Bros' Plane and say...."Hmm, what a dumb and stupid plane". I promise you, every coaster designer or true lover of coasters in general worth his weight in salt has nothing but admiration for such a ride. If people hadn't liked this in the past, there would be no King Da Ka today.
Matskee64 it’s a set of wooden planks that are lifted up by a lever system underneath the cars. An attendant is waiting at the end of the ride. Watch the end of the video and pay close attention to the track and boards. You can see the friction boards
Damn, this coaster sat through the times of World War 1, World War 2, The Cold War, Vietnam War, etc. I wonder how its still standing considering its over 100 years old. Do they constantly replace slabs of wood?
They must. I rode an old coaster one time in Louisiana that had some recently replaced wood sections that hadn't yet been painted.
@bellboy So is it still Leap the Dips? Lol!
I grew up in this town riding this coaster many summers. When I moved away as a young adult It would be years before I would be able to ride again. It was that first time back that I realized the major difference between new coaster design and the design of this one. This coaster scares me more than the new high speed coasters mainly because of the way it steers itself. It relies on the integrity of the wooden rails to guide the cart. Today you are lucky to run 1-2 cars at a time. Back in its day we would have about 6. The car would sometimes come off the track in the dips! Great times!
People who speak badly about Dips have obviously never rode it. Not only is it one of the most interactive pieces of history still around, it's also a hell of a lot of fun. (:
I rode this coaster. The further you ride the more oh shit I could get hurt on this thing it becomes. It's not a thrill ride its a fear ride
Duh. It was opened in 1902
1902... Amazing how old this ride is and it's still worth a ride
It's nice too see such an old coaster still in good condition. I'm happy they take care of it.
It's nice to see your face not torn in half
Genuinely scarier than any steel coaster I've ridden, because this one has an actual sense of danger to it lol. It feels like it might collapse at any point.
or you could just ride any rides in eastern europe and get the same feeling because everything is run down and poorly operated, lol
Energylandia?
Everything is run down and poorly built in Europe..? What.
He means the former soviet bloc.
That’s not a good thing
I remember riding this in the early 80s when I was a kid.... Rode it again when it reopened... Love it... And yes... I am from that area... I grew up in that park and others in the surrounding areas.
Aww it's Kingda Ka's great great grandfather!
Julian Dale yep
Kingda Ka is the son no one likes.
After riding Superman Escape From Krypton, I cant get myself to go on Leap the Dips. Its too scary especially with the 9ft drop
I mean it does legit feel like it's gonna fuckin' spontaneously fall apart so it kind of _is_ scarier.
@@arathertallglassofwater1864
Imagine the structure collapsing behind you
rode this twice just this past weekend. It's a fun little coaster and they do a great job of maintaining it.
I was raised in that town and even worked as a ride operator at that park when I was 14 & 15 (1994/5)! We used to always joke that if that ride was ever operational, none of us wanted to be the controller because we knew it was going to fall apart! But I'm glad to see funds were raised to restore yet another piece of history in Altoona, PA.
This proves that a roller coaster doesn't need to go a hundred miles an hour to be fun.
This century-old structure already provides enough fear
Glaucio Dhalsim lol I see what you mean.
Thank you!! The smartest comment I've read yet.
Kelvin Wang It can't derail because it has wheels on the sides of the car that contact the side rails on each side of the tracks. The car can't go off the tracks because the side rails prevent the cars from going sideways off the tracks. And there is no way that car is going to jump higher than those side rails!
Joseph Hicks Technically, side-friction roller coasters (all 9 of them left in the world) can derail vertically, as there are no up-stop wheels below the track to hold the cars down, resulting in the pop and mild whiplash-esque effect coming out of each 9 foot dip. These rides were essentially designed to run in a trough akin to a log flume with no water. Up-stop wheels came first came about in 1911 (US Patent 1,038,174 application November 24, 1911 Issued September 10, 1912 ) which allowed steep grades and higher hills without needing a brakeman to ride the train to prevent a flying train, causing this type to fall out of favor. The last side friction coaster built was constructed in 1951 (Vuoristorata)
Been on this a dozen times. Such a good ride.
im from the 2k generation, but i prefer the classic wooden coasters over any steel coaster. Kings island is my home park, and The BEAST is my favorite rollercoaster. And ive rode everything at that park.
Brings back memories - first coaster I ever rode as a kid was an old, wooden figure-eight ride on seaside holidays, then graduated to full size, decades old wooden coaster in another nearby park (safety rules were much more lax back then, kids could ride as long as an adult was with them, and dad is a big coaster fan, so it was the start of that for the pair of us, every holiday after that till I was an adult!)
The Scenic Railway is the oldest continually operating coaster in the world, operating continuously for 100 years. However, Leap the Dips originally opened 110 years ago, but closed in 1985 until 1999 after restoration efforts lead to the reopening of Leap the Dips following 14 years of standing still.
Lakemont is like a mile away from my house. I've rode this a million times! :D
Thank you for posting this! It brings back so
I rode it with my Granddaughter Cristen and that made it the best in the world. Have Fun, I did.
this is the kind of coaster where final destination events can actually happen^_^
I was talking about The Scenic Railway in Melbourne's Luna Park. Themeparkreview has a POV video of THAT Rollercoaster, which, when this rollercoaster was not operating, was the rollercoaster with the record of "oldest operating rollercoaster".
the thrill of riding on an old roller coaster like that is wondering if you will make it back
I love that the people behind Coaster Force put info about the rides in the description, it helps some non-enthusiasts (not me, I am a enthusiast on roller coasters) not be brain farts on rides
I love the sounds this thing makes.
To be fair, this is the oldest currently operating coaster. The one in Australia is the oldest coaster in continual use. In 100 years, it's never closed down. This one did close for a few years. That's the difference.
I wish companies would start making other types of wooden coaster again. I know that Knoebels is putting a lot of effort into making a modern wooden bobsled, but what about other extinct or endangered breeds like Virginia Reels, reversers, scenic railways, backety-back railways (like the one at Crystal Beach), figure-8 toboggans, and wooden wild mice?
thumbs up for the oldest operating roller, coaster- in- uhh.... yeah this thing is getting a little rusty.
lol
What's really funny is I live there and lakemont park (which is where the coaster is located) has holiday lights on the lake so I was there today even though it's the middle of December. But the owners of the park have really let it go and there is a rumour that the park will be demolished and the leap the dips will be relocated. And my cousins and I work as lifeguards there so that would suck.
Thanks for sharing. I was feeling the entire ride. Also, there's nothing like the clicking sound when you are going up a hill and know that means you are going down. What a rush!
FACT: There are no wheels at the bottom of the car to keep it from being airborne.
Wow that makes it 10 times better! No banked turns
Wow, must take a trip out there and ride it! As a fan of history, and old machinery, I think it'll be worth the whiplash and wood splinters. Video probably doesn't do it justice, but I bet it scoots pretty good and shakes and vibrates during the ride,that's the fun that keeps wooden coasters in operation.
$3 per person
Shakes and vibrates is an understatement lol.
rode it today! it was fun to ride on history :)
Guys you have to remember this was built in 1902 and they didnt have the tech. we do so of course its going to be lame to us. I just thought I would point that out.
After being closed since 2017 sometime, this coaster is going to reopen to the public after an extensive refurbishment in 2020. From 1902 and they could've made up any excuse to wait until 2021. I have a lot of respect for this park, as others take a crummy way out and say no to opening there "newest thing" while a 1902 ride that takes years of work say every 15-17 years or so to be ready again is billed and ready to go. Lakemont Park, live on forever.
Also for some reason this ride makes me think of the intamin space diver. In the way that the concept could be revisited in some way to make for a new kind of experience. Why not look to our past more? We have modern versions of huss enterprises, giant frisbees, many drop towers, coasters that are using air power to launch growing in number, an italian maker who replaced the old flying swiss bobs with a modern suspended himalya/music express type.
S&S has sported selling a new steeplechase. Let B&M revisit that space diver design and see if gravity group could explore the leap the dips kind of coaster.
@@oneandonlysound3453 Just rode it. I'm not coaster enthusiast, but I have definitely never had this type of coaster ride before. The dips as you move along is such a unique feature that I don't even remember having in kiddie coasters. I wish I had brought my own extra seat padding so I wouldn't have had any reservation of letting go for the couple of good airtime and letting myself get slammed back down on the seat. The seat padding may not be sufficient for those with lower back problems to let yourself get slammed down. No lapbar or seatbelt restraints whatsoever except for handle bars to hold on to. I mean, it's really not needed. This was a fun coaster to worth crossing off ones bucket list.
I rode this a lot as a kid. I can still remember the smell of the grease on the tracks.
Scenic Railway - built in 1911, the Scenic Railway is the oldest continually-operating roller coaster in the world, and one of only 2 in existence requiring a brakesman to stand in the middle of the train. For these reasons, it is regarded as an ACE Coaster Classic.[3] While the Scenic Railway is the oldest roller coaster in continuous operation, Leap the Dips at Lakemont Park, Altoona, Pennsylvania, United States is the oldest roller coaster in the world that is currently operating.
Vsauce sent me here!
which video?
@CCprod422 ...True, but only because there was no competition to speak of. Thank your grandparents for setting the bar...and the generations after that for pole-vaulting over it!
Looks like it is ready to fall apart and needs a new paint job. It looks fun. Just curious though is it smooth or is it rough?
It's not very fast paced, but it looks like a good family ride. It also doesn't have any restraining devices (not even seat belts), which adds to the thrill.
Hella smooth transitions
Sadly coaster wise, this is the only coaster at the park that in my opinion is worth it
True .
Happy Birthday LTD!
I DO SAY, that was quite a thrawling good time.
The confusion is caused by people like myself remembering when LTD was closed and Scenic Railway WAS technically the oldest operating coaster during that period.
It's so wierd to look at an all-wooden TRACK! I don't think I'd get a huge thrill, but I wouldn't mind riding this one to feel it's leaping first-hand. It's ability to leap is somewhat unusual these days, as all coasters have added an additional set of rollers UNDER the track starting with the Jack Rabbit in 1920, though these second set of rollers enable those sudden drops that we all love!
Looking foward to riding this in June
Scenic Railway is the oldest CONTINUALLY operating coaster (as in, open every day), Leap The Dips is still the absolute oldest, but it was SBNO for quite a time before a restoration.
this coaster is the oldest working coaster still in operation it was built it 1902 and is the only side friction coaster still in operation anywhere it listed as a historical landmark
Coaster companies should start making side-friction coasters again. Of course, not all side -friction coasters were as tame as this one; the Giant Coaster at Crystal Beach had large drops, as did the Runaway Coaster at Folkestone.
lol, I rode this when I was there.
Got on all fine.
Got off holding my back.
It really does a number on the back.
SO COOL!! I went on this when I was ten years old, back in the 1970's!! So glad they decided to refurbish it, back then , the ride looked like it was going to fall apart!
North America's last surviving side friction coaster, but I think there are more elsewhere in the world. Leap-The-Dips is the oldest operating coaster in the world, though.
This ride is insanely fun. The only coaster I truly thought I might die on. Don't be fooled you will be out of your seat quite a bit.
Wow! Built in 1902 and it's still faster than the download time on my computer.
Respect to the grandfather of coasters
Hay Coaster force whats your favorite roller coaster of all time mine is honestly the Hulk
The very first riders of this roller coaster had Teddy Roosevelt as their president, the average life expectancy was 47, the average US worker made between 200 and 400 dollars a year, the American flag had 45 stars, and the population of Las Vegas was 30.
Mr. or Mrs. Coasterforce, what is the most intense coaster you have ever ridden?
To me this ride is much scarier than Kingda Ka, because i'd be afraid it could break down any second
Coasterforce, you guys have great videos and a great youtube channel. However, your website could use some updating. The Dorney Park page still has Possessed named as Voodoo, and the Kings Dominion page doesn't have I-305 yet.
@xSuperFilms what can you expect from a coaster built in 1902
Those are pretty old, but this is older. Like ParkspotTV said, they both built steely coasters anyway.
This coaster hurts SO BAD, I went on it over the summer, imagine the pain of a regular wooden coaster but x10
when does the fun start?
Good stuff....National Register of Historic Places, was designated a National Historic Landmark. It is also an American Coaster Enthusiasts Coaster Classic and Coaster Landmark
No it's not, silly. It's obviously an Intamin ride, made before Bolliger and Mabillard left the company. B&M's side-friction coasters had different cars. Haven't you seen Batman: The Side-Friction Ride?
Don't let Coasterforce lie to you like that. Everyone knows that this is the first coaster designed by bollinger and mabillard.
you're all wrong, it was vekoma OBVIOUSLY! it has the same cars as an SLC
How cool.! It's
The oldest not the best but the oldest
I think the first type of coasters that were invented were wooden side friction coasters. This is the first one. Damn this is so old and its still working.
very cool. i want to ride it just because of its age!
do the cars even have seatbelts? cuz in all the pics i saw they didnt have any
He was kidding. It couldn't have been the first B&M. They weren't even born when Leap the Dips opened.
Oops! So many memories of good times with my Nana whom I lost last year! It is a fun ride!
I want to ride this SOOOOO BAD!!!
one more question, is Lakemont Park free admission like Knoebels or do you have to pay to get in
@KelliLovesYou21
Nope.... oldest operating rollercoaster is Scenic Railway in Luna Park, Melbourne Australia. TPR have a ride video of it.
awww... that's so cute.
Pefect for falling asleep.
@bayday5 well, it is the oldest operating roller coaster in North America!
jordykid8: keep in mind, this one opened in 1902 so its the worlds oldest roller coaster thats still running
This is in my hometown I road it a couple of times and once your done your back in hurting from all the bumps. But I think it is cool I road the worlds oldest roller coaster
For SURE, I know thats wrong. Everybody knows B&M's first coaster was the Iron Wolf, a Stand-Up coaster at Six Flags Great America, built in 1990.
does this ride only run 1 vehicle at a time????
On average, how long is the wait on this attraction?
looks like a good ride for its age
So it's not a B&M?
I typed up "oldest operating roller coaster" and I found this
can someone provide me with the block zone diagram?
What is the point of a side friction coaster? :o
Only kids who aren't knowledgeable about coasters harshly criticize grand trailblazing attractions like this bucketlist coaster; Typical 2K+ generation. I can't wait to ride it.
This is really similar to the scenic railway. But it looks cool.
Yahoo! brought me here!
For the idiots who mock this historic attraction and call it stupid or says that it sucks, you must be the same type of idiots who would walk into the Air and Space Museum and take a look at the Wright Bros' Plane and say...."Hmm, what a dumb and stupid plane". I promise you, every coaster designer or true lover of coasters in general worth his weight in salt has nothing but admiration for such a ride. If people hadn't liked this in the past, there would be no King Da Ka today.
This is considered on RCT3 as a Side Friction Coaster.
how does that braking system work?
Matskee64 it’s a set of wooden planks that are lifted up by a lever system underneath the cars. An attendant is waiting at the end of the ride. Watch the end of the video and pay close attention to the track and boards. You can see the friction boards
This coaster is 110 years old!