Leap-The-Dips

Infobox roller coaster
name=Leap-The-Dips


caption=
location=Lakemont Park
section=
type=Wood
type2=Side friction
status=Open
opened=1902
closed=
manufacturer=Edward Joy Morris Company
designer=Edward Joy Morris
model=
track=
lift=
height=41
drop=9
length=1452
speed=
inversions=
duration=1:00
angle=25
capacity=
cost=
acceleration=
gforce=
restriction=
rcdb_number=243 Infobox_nrhp | name =Leap-the-Dips
nrhp_type = nhl


caption =
location= Altoona, Pennsylvania
lat_degrees = 40
lat_minutes = 28
lat_seconds = 15
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 78
long_minutes = 23
long_seconds = 48
long_direction = W
locmapin = Pennsylvania
area =
built =1902
architect= Morris,Edward Joy
architecture= Other
designated= October 9 1960cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=2104&ResourceType=Structure |title=Leap-The-Dips |accessdate=2008-07-02|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service]
added = March 15, 1991
governing_body = Local
refnum=91000229cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2008-04-15|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]

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. [ [http://www.aceonline.org/CoasterAwards/?type=1 ACE Coaster Classic Awards] ] [ [http://www.aceonline.org/CoasterAwards/?type=3 ACE Coaster Landmark Awards] ]

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.

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 repaired over the course of the 2007 season to ensure the safety of those who ride and the future of the coaster. There were no major problems, and only a few days where the ride was closed to undergo maintenance.

2008: Fully operational.

External links

* [http://www.lakemontparkfun.com/ Lakemont Park and Island Waterpark Official Site]
* [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=532648241876439894 Leap-the Dips On-Ride Video] on Google Video
* [http://www.libcoop.net/mountclemens/leapdips.htm Leap-The-Dips in Mount Clemens] on Mount Clemens Public Library site resource

References