Kennywood has many roller coasters for people to enjoy.  It has been nicknamed “Roller Coaster Capital of the World.”  Kennywood has had eleven different roller coasters since it opened in 1898.  The eleven roller coasters were Figure Eight, The Scenic Railway, The Racer, The Speedo Plane, The Jack Rabbit, The Pippen, The Racer, The Thunderbolt, The Laser Loop, The Steel Phantom, and The Phantom’s Revenge.  Four of these roller coasters are still around today. 

Kennywood’s first roller coaster was built in 1902.  It was called in Figure Eight.  Figure Eight was eighty-five feet wide, two hundred feet twenty-five feet long with a seventy foot long incline and it was less than forty-five feet high.  It was built by Fred Ingersoll and was demolished in 1921.

Kennywood’s second major roller coaster was called the Scenic Railway.  It was built before 1906.  It had a painted western mural on its one side which served as a backdrop for the western area of Kennywood.

During Kennywood’s 107 year history, Kennywood has had two Racers.  The first Racer was very similar to the current Racer.  It was built in 1910 in what is present day Kiddieland.  It was designed by John A. Miller and was demolished in 1926.

The Speed-O-Plane was built in 1911 by Kennywood.  It cost thirty thousand dollars.  It was built in today’s “Pay and Park” section of the parking lot.  It was demolished in 1923.

One of Kennywood’s most famous roller coasters is The Jack Rabbit.  It was built in 1921 by Kennywood and it was designed by John A. Miller. The Jack Rabbit is 2,132 feet long.  What makes it unique for its age is the seventy foot double dip.  The Jack Rabbit still stands today.

The Pippen was Kennywood’s third high speed roller coaster built in Kennywood.  It was built in 1924 and was designed by John A. Miller.  It cost sixty thousand dollars and like the Jack Rabbit, had a double dip.  It was demolished in 1967.

Another coaster still standing is the new Racer.  It was built in 1927.  It was designed by John A. Miller.  It is almost the same as the old Racer.  It is seventy-two feet and 2,250 feet long.  It cost seventy-five thousand dollars.

The Thunderbolt is one of Kennywood’s best roller coasters.  It was built in 1968, and designed by Andy Vettel.  It is ninety-five feet high and 2,887 feet long.  It is one of many wooden roller coasters that Kennywood has had. 

The Laser Loop was more of a thrill ride than a roller coaster.  It was built in 1980.  It was designed by Intamin/Schwarzkopf.  It was one hundred forty feet high and eight hundred fifty feet long.  It was steel with a big loop.  It was torn down in 1990.

 The Steel Phantom was one of the best rides in Kennywood.  It was built in 1991.  It was the fastest roller coaster in the world.  It was designed by Arrow Dynamics.  It was three thousand feet long.  It was torn down in 2001 to build the Phantom’s Revenge.