Leap The Dips front seat on-ride HD POV Lakemont Park

[@matthewmelis]

It's probably been said, but cars weren't available to the masses until about 1908, so for a handful of years, this was possibly the fastest and wildest ride early riders had ever been on.

[@chase7624]

matthewmelis trains existed

[@aaronroffman3987]

This was actually only one dozens of this design built at the time, and wasn't even one of the largest, so there were 'wilder' ones out there. It's just this is the only surviving example. Still, it's more exciting when it looks, especially when running hot,, and would have been a big deal for the residents of Altoona back in the day. What this video doesn't show is that the cars have no restraints whatsoever -- no lap bar, no buzz bar, no seatbelt, nothing. There's only a grab bar in front of you. The dips have some real airtime on them, and if watching off-ride, you'll actually see the track stretch and bend as the car passes over.

[@juliebraden6911]

You could have seen if it's probably been said by simply reading the comments a little.

[@Ineedsleep1941]

I’ve rode this since I was 6 and I hope it stays there till I’m 98

[@staringcorgi6475]

@@chase7624 trains are hella slow even now in the united states

[@EricGarringer]

I think my favorite part of this video is when the coaster pulls back into the station. I can imagine that large station full of people dressed in their best, women in long puffy dresses and men in tailcoats and top hats. It’s sad to see it deserted today, but nice it’s been restored and is still operating almost 120 years later. What rich history this roller coaster has! Incredible.

[@stormingcoasters]

It’s not too deserted now, they probably filmed the pov on a private visit/buyout to the park. That’s why there’s nobody on the station.

[@chrisroode]

Let’s organize a tails and corsets event. Everyone dress Victorian and descend on Altoona one day a year. Needs to be in spring so women aren’t fainting in the heat.

[@slickstretch6391]

@@stormingcoasters Or it was filmed by an employee when the park was closed.

[@frenchfrey65]

Whomever engineered this, I hope they're proud! It's still operating, that's so awesome! A true testament to toughness and fan loyalty! Long live Leap the Dips.

[@scrungycat407]

+frenchfrey65 Whoever designed it is dead now...

[@xXOpenYourHeart759Xx]

ill bet you're fun at parties

[@scrungycat407]

xXOpenYourHeart759Xx Just being sarcastic! :D

[@damocoaster8451]

Don't forget John miller, his big dipper coaster at blackpool pleasure beach is still operating after oping 93 years ago.

[@kevinthompson6986]

wooden roller coaster's Last a long time if care is put Into Them Yeah it might take more money but Well Worth It

[@emperorofwar1]

Who knew that when this was built it would survive for over 120 years and that people still love and appreciate this ride. Obviously it's not the most thrilling ride out there, but the engineering of this is excellent.

[@johnlusk3902]

Took a trip to Lakemont today just to ride this. It did not disappoint. This coaster is just pure fun.

[@createallow3126]

I"m utterly charmed! This is like when you see a 90 yr old working out at the gym. You have to have respect. Did you see that double dip at the end? You gotta' leap that shit, y'all.

[@cpzman5946]

This was the Fury 325 of the 1900s.

[@AlexLopez-rx8lw]

More like the King Da Ka and Orion of its time. The roots of what we have today.

[@phillippi2]

We forget that this roller coaster was very high tech for its time. It was the first side friction roller coaster; a type of roller coaster which features railing along the side which keep the train from sliding too far to the side.. It was the first roller coaster that had brakes which could be operated remotely. You actually see them being used by the ride operator at 2:10 And it was the first amusement park roller coaster to feature an anti-roll back system on the lift hill, a safety feature that has been the standard since then. That's what those wood slats are on the sides of the lift hill. If the train misses or gets unlinked, the slats catch it and keep the train from rolling back even further. They then hold the train until either the chain catches or the ride operator is able to connect it to the chain.

[@FireCracker3240]

Thank you for posting this! It is actually wonderful. There is something so exciting about riding something this old with this much history. Sure, it's nice to see the new, modern rides, but this is special. I can imagine people in 1902, the men dressed in hats and suits, the ladies in their finest dresses, coming out to partake in the exciting new adventure! We're now desensitized and take every technological advancement for granted. To them, each one was an astounding achievement. That's what I think of when I watch your video. That being said, did this feel as rickety to ride as it looked? :-)

[@heheheiamasupahflyingace3921]

Yeah. You actually have to stand up in your seat a bit like on a quad to keep from getting hurt some from the bumps. It's fun though because of that because of how you ride it is different.

[@Mangost8en]

Don't forget cowboys. Like John Marston.

[@johnchambers8528]

Thanks for the video of this historic unique roller coaster. I have been to this park several times. The first time I came it was still there but not operating. I was glad when it was rehabilitated and got to ride it a few years after it reopened. As noted it is not a wild ride but is a trip back in history. I grew up in Philadelphia and as a child our local amusement park had a coaster similar to this at Willow Grove park called the Scenic railway. The ride was operated like this one with one car trains but had a different layout. It was more of an out and back design with these similar mild dips along the way. It was one of my first and favorite coasters since it was not to wild a ride. I have ridden many wooden coasters all over the country and still liked the ride of Leap the Dips. I heard that it will not operate this year but hope some funding can be found to keep it in good condition and have it reopen in the future for others to be able to experience this historic coaster.

[@RADZADproductions]

Wow, a coaster over 100 years old, that's something!

[@dtlvolcanic1406]

I live in Pittsburgh and there’s a ride that’s also like this one but better and it’s like 15 yrs older and it’s name is the jack rabbit in kennywood

[@jmanx360]

@@dtlvolcanic1406 Jack Rabbit opened in 1920 and was one of the first (possibly THE first coaster) to feature upstop wheels.

[@scmtuk3662]

​@@user-yn1bd4yf3h Just to be specific. Leap The Dips is the oldest roller coaster _still in operation_ It is not _the first_ roller coaster _ever_ however. The _first_ complete "modern" roller coaster _ever_ was actually the "Promenades Aeriennes" (or "The Aerial Walk" in English), that featured wheeled cars securely locked to the track, guide rails to keep them on course, and higher speeds. It opened on July 8, 1817 (almost 204 years ago). Other roller coasters that predate Leap The Dips, include: Mauch Chunk Switchback Gravity Railroad - the first scenic gravity railroad, opened in 1827, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, United States Centrifugal Railway - the first looping rollercoaster (non-circuit), opened in 1846, Frascati Garden, Paris, France Gravity Pleasure - first use of a powered chainlift, opened in 1885, Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York, United States.

[@bartonpercival2147]

@@scmtuk3662 gravity pleasure was in operation at Coney Island 1year before the Statue of Liberty was put together on top of the pedestal on Bedloes Island. Let that sink in!!!!!!! 🎢🗽

[@johnlusk3902]

Jack Rabbit opened in 1920, Leap the Dips came online in 1902.

[@Duke_Togo_G13]

I actually rode this as a kid before the closing of it in 1986. It maybe tame by today's standards, but it gives you a glimpse of the past and what was considered exciting back in the early 1900s.

[@laylaw3447]

It’s sbno.

[@ThyPandora]

@@user-yn1bd4yf3h Not really, it was SBNO again at one point, now it isn't (would be the right way to address this).

[@randomtraveler9854]

I totally want to ride this just to say I rode the oldest coaster

[@tomhur1]

Same here.

[@itshk9427]

Uh-huh

[@clintparker]

Me three. Same

[@gavin-kd4zu]

@@tomhur1 its awesome you should totally check it out

[@ST4RF1SH.ANN3]

@@johngriswold4303 i rode it yesterday

[@Edotter]

It's interesting and kind of different to see a roller coaster with no major vertical drops.

[@SLOTHSRIDEUNICORNS]

YEAH ENJOY IT KAREN.

[@DeliciousManX]

I never realized what exactly a side-friction coaster in Roller Coaster Tycoon was until I saw this video. Thank you so much! I think I finally understand what makes them so special (and why they crash so much when I design them, lol.)

[@johnfoltz8183]

I'm not going on Side Friction Coaster 1 while it's raining.

[@sfullernj]

@@johnfoltz8183 side friction rollercoaster 1 is too intense for me

[@robobot11]

Even though it's older than my great-granddad's fossil, it's still a testament to how far we've come in roller coaster designing.

[@Karlypriv]

Love this ride! It's about 10 miles from where I live, so I'm here often. It's safe, even without a seatbelt.

[@zachcoastercrazy4032]

Or basically any restraint, as I don't think the lapbar comes close to your lap. Most roller coasters in the US are 100% safe, actually. Cool right?

[@SLOTHSRIDEUNICORNS]

I was on ONE Steel coaster in my life. I will have PTSD forever because it terrified me and I wasn't ALLOWED to ride the rides *I* liked. And afterward, I refused to ride Sheikra. The friends I went with (who are no longer my friends because of this) punished and screamed and yelled at me saying I ruined their vacation by having autism. So yeah, go on them if you dare. It's Leap The Dips for me.

[@bonnyd.5334]

And.... you do get some floater air time if you sit in the front and some (mild) ejector air time if you sit in the back! It's certainly a fun coaster, worth the re-ride. Yes, it's a labor of love (and not cheap) keeping this beauty in running shape. Roller coasters don't have to be crazy high or crazy fast to be fun. Great family coaster.

[@DonnyDope02]

I would love to ride this some time in my life. Hopefully they keep it around and don’t tear it down.

[@airtimecannon8067]

Wow for the Oldest a roller coaster in the world this is running pretty good

[@randomtraveler9854]

It's closed until at least 2020. Was there yesterday for the first time. Looks like it's in far better shape now than it was in this video.

[@zachcoastercrazy4032]

Roller coasters do get refurbished a lot. I don't know if any of the original wood remains, especially after in the 80's and 90's, it fell into disrepair before they did a huge makeover with funding.

[@bezoticallyyours83]

What a neat piece of coaster history. I'd like to ride it just once.

[@interstate50RoadVideos]

Side Friction Coaster 1 was great!

[@jerrygarciaisgod4409]

I have ridden this coaster 100s of times in the 70s and 80s. My cousin and I would sit in the front car and you could literally pop the car up and off the tracks. One of the best coasters i have ever been on. Like a trip to the past.

[@snowyicicle1335]

New coaster researched. Wooden Side Friction Roller Coaster

[@skierskater1000]

"Wooden Side Friction Roller Coaster 1 looks too intense for me!"

[@Howlingburd19]

Sam Owen you beat me to it xD

[@johnfoltz8183]

Wooden Side Friction Coaster 1 is a copy of the Switchback Railway at the Coney Island. 1900s gp

[@johnfoltz8183]

Just looking at Side Friction Coaster 1 makes me feel sick.

[@SkeebWilcox]

Rode it today for the first time (07-12-20). Definitely more exciting than it looks! You leave your seat on almost every dip and when you ride the back seat of the car, it almost turns in to a different ride...

[@Jupiter0ne]

I grew up in Altoona in the 70s and every elementary class trip or as a family treat was to go to Lakemont Park. I can't remember how many times I rode this roller coaster, but I can still smell the greased tracks. It was slow and a bit rough, but to a 7th grader, it was "E" ticket (if anyone is old enough to get that reference). Now if I can now just find a video of the Monster Den!

[@snarkus63]

For those of us who don't like being rocketed up into the stratosphere,then shot back down to Earth at the speed of light.

[@sralyn]

Or want to lose their lunch

[@PokeTube]

Go ride a big coaster lol. Trust me you won’t regret it

[@ericfellner3524]

The very first coaster I went on when I was ten years old! After that, I graduated to another side friction coaster, the defunct Giant Coaster at Crystal Beach. Great memories!

[@xavierkrantz1098]

That means your 110 years old

[@ericfellner3524]

Xavier Krantz Ha, ha!! I went on Leap the Dips in 1975. Back then, the coaster looked like it was going to fall apart. I'm glad Lakemont refurbished it.

[@bobthebear1246]

Xavier Krantz *you're

[@azestical6566]

Eric Fellner You 116 years old?

[@bakedgoldfish45]

you rode the oldest coaster :)

[@jez9999]

The lack of banking is quite noticeable. Either side-friction coasters couldn't do it, or they just hadn't come up with the idea yet.

[@johnchambers8528]

If thy did try to bank the curves it/most likely would have put too much pressure on the outer side friction boards to keep it safely on the track. It also wold have been a maintenance headache since if it could be done I am sure the wood on the side receiving all the weight of the car soul cause excessive wear on the side board requiring regular replacement of that wooden area.

[@XtremeXploring]

I'm a local and very produ to see this in my hometown! An awesome piece of history.

[@mdteletom1288]

At the 1:53 mark there's another historic coaster to the left of this coaster, a Toboggan Coaster, which I think came to this park from Lake Compounce(sp?) and which is no longer there. I rode one of these in the late '60's at the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk in NJ. I believe the only one still operating in the US is in Wisconsin.

[@SLOTHSRIDEUNICORNS]

No you go on that steel behemoth contraption of death. I'm quite happy riding this oldie but a goodie.

[@crowmigration8245]

I can't even comprehend what I just watched. In a good way. Can't wait for the 4K videos of this when it re-opens.

[@railroadskater2896]

For all the wooden coasters that have ever been demolished, whether for frivolous reasons (in our eyes) or otherwise, I can really appreciate this one and the way it was preserved. Very unique mechanism too. It seems to be a nice fit for the quaint, laid-back environment.

[@ladyrachel13]

That is a true rollercoaster. 🎢

[@ThemeParkFamilyUK]

Wow, amazing. Would love to ride something as classic as this

[@LNERMallard]

Holy shit, the cars literally leap off the tracks coming out of the dips...

[@Edward2Fan47]

It would be nice if there can be more coasters like this as also dark rides.

[@orangehat9057]

This is a wilder ride then you may think, remember there is nothing holding the cars down to the track, you can see it getting some air on some of those bumps.

[@aaronroffman3987]

You must have shot this on a day when it was running real fast. I've seen videos of Leap the Dips crawl through the layout, and when I rode it, it was about average. Even on a normal day it's a lot more exciting than it looks. You get some good ejector on those dips in the back.

[@chargedonpc9989]

This actually looks like a pretty decent fun ride even today

[@jasonhook3884]

Kinda wondering, does anyone know of any footage (POV or other) of the ride from before the renovation? Genuinely curious how far into disrepair it fell before it was initially closed.

[@bobthebear1246]

Jason Hook, rcdb.com has those pics, both before & after the renovation. You'll see. It was pretty bad. I think it's amazing that they were able to save it.

[@trickster8764]

There is something so bizarre about hearing Demi lovato at the end when you know this is a roller coaster from 1902 lmao. Like it's a testament to it's time, but still lives on enough to see everything else advance technologically.

[@Howlingburd19]

“I want to go on something more thrilling than Side-Friction Coaster 1”

[@AdamSmith-gs2dv]

Let me just remind you people this ride has no restraints at all. So that 10ft drop is alot scarier than the video shows

[@gmodrules123456789]

Don’t let the size fool you. This ride has a surprising amount of airtime, especially in the back.

[@curiousaustriantours6962]

What a lovely ride!

[@Sombody123]

The excitement factor comes from doubting if this old chap of a ride will still hold while you ride it.

[@sunswift]

This sounds satisfying

[@Fahrenheit4051]

I remember going on this the year it opened. I was obsessed with automobiles and dreamed of owning one when I grew up. I would always pretend that I was in a race and just shy of first place, even though the cars didn't race like some of the newer-fangled roleycoasters. When I inherited the Ford Model A from my great uncle's estate, I was elated, and drove it to the park every day until the year that dreaded Twister coaster opened. I went on it expecting it to be like Leap The Dips, but it was way too intense - like driving your penny-farthing down a gully. Never again, I said!

[@MonkeyButtMovies1]

Um, that would make you in your 120s...

[@mrstep2me]

This was quite a thrill in the slow paced world of 1902. Trains were fast, but they were enclosed, so it's a different feeling. After all, the 65mph that get you excited on a modern coaster, is a snail's pace in a car. Here, you felt the speed out in the open. I imagine the women were weak kneed when they disembarked.

[@sophiesblog0489]

Everyone, this is the worlds oldest coaster! Almost 110 years old!

[@zachcoastercrazy4032]

When you wrote this, it was actually 116 years old! More impressive!

[@birdstudios978]

Zach Coaster Crazy and now 118

[@andrewwian4921]

This and the Scenic Railway Melbourne are the oldest operating coasters in tbe world. The scenic railway has much bigger drops though.

[@Vladimir82623]

If lakemont park ever becomes closed the I hope knoebels will take this ride to there park

[@triple7marc]

They definitely would do that lol

[@Vladimir82623]

@@triple7marc knowing them probably

[@mht5875]

Not bad for a coaster that's 120 years old.

[@indianapatsfan]

If any modern, massive, high thrill, giga coaster is still standing 110 years from now, will our great grandchildren chuckle at its lack of height and speed?

[@selfishbeats]

no, that's a false equivalent the coasters now can't get much more thrilling because of the G-Force acting on the body would kill someone plus hitting something in the air like a bird could be fatal.

[@Kaydje]

Two words: Diminishing returns.

[@Meonations3112]

The track is built like my backyardrollercoaster i wanted to built🥲

[@lunarrhythmia]

cant wait for this to get rmc'd

[@twopapitas9667]

“Leap The Dips 1 was a really good value!”

[@thebarak]

Just like the Big Dipper that was at Whitley Bay's Spanish City. I enjoyed hearing that old sound again in this video.

[@DaanBruins]

wait, is that an anti-rollback system? They had those back then?

[@triple7marc]

Yep!

[@shas-l8x]

9 years later and lol its the same pov

[@Sy21124]

Better than Steel Vengeance, change my mind

[@riparianlife97701]

This is great! It actually bobs between supports. Screw all that safety and structural soundness stuff! I'd love to ride it.

[@Fahrenheit4051]

What do you mean? A lot of wooden coasters cross through their own supports.

[@riparianlife97701]

Farenheit4051 I mean that the train bobs up and down between the supports. Up at the supports, and down in the sags between them. The structure isn't strong enough to be stiff.

[@zachcoastercrazy4032]

@@riparianlife97701 roller coasters are actually meant to sway a bit. If not, wind would make it collapse. It is also very safe, and looks fun.

[@Stvrlightt724]

This is a baby coaster, and people say the coaster Blue Streak at cedar point is a baby coaster.

[@duon44]

i feel like i would be more scared on this thing than on modern coasters as, while they refurbished it nicely, it still looks pretty rickety and is it me or does the car actually jump a bit off the track? no upstop wheels to stop it :p

[@bradhig]

looks like something is leaking from the train on to the beams in the middle of the track.

[@Coolharry64]

Whoever wants this to get RMCed should be ashamed of themselves.

[@claysinacori7347]

I remember that ride and like 04 I want there was a group and I got in the back all the way in the back and the people in front of me were having a good time but the bar did not lock and I was having to hold myself in the whole ride so imagine going like 50 miles an hour or 60 miles an hour and it would buckle and twist I'm just glad God was with me that day

[@dakagaming8428]

Watching the today after hearing the news 😢

[@Hippozo2]

Is crazy how the worlds oldest roller coaster is still smoother than the newer coaster…

[@SafeDodecahedron]

This Is Fury 325 Of 1902

[@ElleCee62978]

They drag the cars, don’t they? At least that’s what they did when I was there

[@jacobjongkind4253]

Ok am I the only one who thinks this ride looks actually kind of intense

[@supsidedown0488]

This looks like something from RCT3 😂

[@Howlingburd19]

Supsidedown04 it's the side friction coaster xD

[@puffcatco]

it is.

[@jellybrown]

Supsidedown04 that is, if the technology for rct3 to exist was out when this was built. Lol.

[@Funniguy2011]

This ride is cool, I wanna ride it but it looks bumpy so they might need to fix it a bit

[@mootpoint7053]

How is your spine doing after riding this!? :/

[@jessegloria6309]

Its a side friction coaster

[@Nascar995]

Leap the Dips rocks!

[@beyblade332]

How many feet is the lifthill

[@SmileBullet]

41 I believe

[@kevinhoward9593]

Oldest operating coaster is The Scenic Railway in Melbourne, Australia. Built in 1912 and has continuously been operating without any gaps.

[@eloncone6925]

Nope this was built in 1902 I think. The gaps part. Probaly tru

[@azestical6566]

Kevin Howard Oldest continually operating coaster*

[@emmarose4234]

This is lovely!!!

[@chrisbooth3417]

Is this getting an RMC redo?😂

[@CollinWestland]

This was my first roller coaster

[@fa-ss2ud]

Matto Catto Not the first roller coaster “the OLDEST roller coaster”

[@ThyPandora]

@Matto Catto You wish, there were plenty more before this old-timer of a coaster! ;)

[@willo-zo5rd]

yeah, i wanna ride this, but it has to be the bumpiest shit ever

[@powerfulefteling]

I love the layout. So non-repetetive 😂

[@Jason_Maier]

I think the oldest CONTINUALLY operating coaster is Jack Rabbit at Kennywood (Wild One at Six Flags America operated from 1917-1984 at Paragon Park in Massachusetts, then in 1985, it was dismantled and moved to what eventually became SFA in 1986)

[@itshk9427]

Yea it's Scenic Railway Luna Park Melbourne, Australia

[@joshlugliani3387]

Pandora this coaster is the oldest operating roller coaster in the world, it was built in 1908

[@AdamSmith-gs2dv]

@@joshlugliani3387 LTD opened in 1902 not 1908. Still it's incredibly old and amazing that all these years later it's still here

[@Thomas__Blue]

Went on this today and lived it even though it was painful for a tall guy like me.

[@flatfingertuning727]

I wonder how many cars were intended to be run at a time, and what means there were to prevent collisions? Two-car operation would seem pretty simple and safe if a the lift hill could be stopped when a train is at the top and the other train hasn't reached the first station brake, but wouldn't think the ride would have had seven cars built for it if there weren't plans to run at least six. From top of lift to station is about 1'30", so if that were treated as a block section, throughput would be limited to 40 cars/hour, adding a couple more engaged-by-default brakes with employees to man them would have might have allowed throughput of 100 cars/hour (one dispatch every 36 seconds). I can easily imagine that block brakes might have existed for part of the ride's life but been removed when ridership fell (so as to reduce crew requirements while running fewer trains). Do you know of any evidence of how the ride would have been run in years past?

[@strategicgamingwithaacorns2874]

I see a lot of potential for slide-friction roller coasters as Wild Mouses.

[@johnchambers8528]

Wild mouse type old coasters are not side friction type of coasters. They are all metal type of coasters that hold the cars to the track and do not slide in the track area.

[@midnightinaperfectworld]

RMC WHEN??!!

[@zachcoastercrazy4032]

Oh god no

[@Gtccoasters]

This ride is so historical, structure not safe to use track as heavy as ibox.

[@noahchapman4138]

a few nights ago we went to lakemont for there lights and its not gonna be a park anymore sadly

[@sethmoyer]

It's reopening this year and all of the coasters will still be there...

[@stefenbulunmaz]

@@sethmoyer Except for Tobbagon and the kiddie coaster

[@TheJmurray1109]

I don't know why everyone doesn't think this thing looks exciting. It looks scary a.f. in the you just got pushed down in hill in a grocery cart kind of way. notice how the car bobs up and down after the each dip. It may not be fast but it looks dangerous as hell. I think the ricketiness of the thing plays into causing a bit of extra excitement if you actually ride it. I bet that it beats the crap out of you too. I bet its not uncommon to get bruises.

[@triple7marc]

I doubt it’s dangerous. If it was, it wouldn’t be open after 120 years.

[@dirtycoasters7394]

That ejector airtime :ooo

[@sethmoyer]

I rode this a few years ago and the car literally jumps off the track slightly on some of those hills. It's actually pretty fun considering the fact that it's the oldest operating roller coaster in the entire world.

[@korey6729]

Without up-stop wheels.

[@anastasiagirl1342]

Pretty cool!

[@bt3965]

Pretty fast for something that looks like its gonna fall apart any moment

[@zachcoastercrazy4032]

But don't worry! They maintain it, and it is very safe!

[@ScarletMoonz]

I would ride this but it’s so old and unstable you don’t know what will happen

[@zachcoastercrazy4032]

It is 100% safe, as wood on coasters is replased a lot, along with many parts on rolled coasters. It is very stable, and is also very safe, so you can ride it if you want.

[@ScarletMoonz]

Zach Coaster Crazy o ok

[@allirogorilla]

This would be a nice "first timers" ride. A "rollercoaster 101"

[@-NB7979-]

This roller coaster feels like grumpy old man XD

[@snowyicicle1335]

is the nonstop oldest coaster wild one?

[@jjperceval]

scenic railway at luna park melbourne

[@itshk9427]

Scenic Railway Luna Park Melbourne Australia