Phantom's Revenge: From Arrow to Morgan

In Episode 5 of Amusement Anthology, the Phantom enters the spotlight. Pittsburgh PA's Kennywood Park along with Arrow Dynamics created a record-breaking roller coaster that used the park's terrain to its advantage. After years of decreasing ridership, DH Morgan would transform Steel Phantom into an airtime-packed hypercoaster: Phantom's Revenge.
Researched, written, narrated, and edited by Jonathan Baker.
[Chapters]
0:00 Intro/Welcome to Kennywood
0:53 Laser Loop
1:38 Hyper Coasters
2:22 Steel Phantom
4:26 Closing or Renovating?
5:33 Phantom's Revenge
7:44 Outro/A Coaster Classic
SOCIAL MEDIA:
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AMUSEMENT ANTHOLOGY DOCUMENTARY PLAYLIST:
• Amusement Anthology Do...
Featuring Footage by:
Kennywood Park: • Phantom's Revenge POV ...
Menachem Piekarski: • steel phantom at kenny...
Sean Flaharty: • Steel Phantom's Final ...
Cedar Point: • Video
#PhantomsRevenge #AmusementAnthology #Kennywood

[@AversaS2]

I rode it when it was Steel Phantom. I was a young kid. Had both of my ears pierced. Typical 90s thing. The one year it made my ears bleed. Then they started warning about taking them out, so I did. Come the final year, those loops were so rough, I had to stop by the EMT station for a concussion check (I was fine). Insane. Flipping upside down can be fun. But what Morgan did with Revenge is incredible. Even today, it’s butter smooth. And those airtime hills at the end...holy crap.

[@joeheid2776]

The Steel Phantom was rough, but as I learned after getting my head bashed around the 1st ride, if you concentrate in keeping your head back against the head rest, it eliminates the roughness.

[@howenator]

I prefer leaning forwards and grabbing the restraint as it eliminates the headache you get from keeping your head forward

[@sr.chi7741]

Maybe that's why I enjoyed flying school at legoland. Or maybe it was smooth in 2017 when I rode it

[@christophergraham7481]

Agreed...once you learned how to ride it, it was no problem. Dude I know broke his jaw on it though

[@basictransportenthusiast4386]

Morgan Should be a RMC For Arrow Steel Coasters

[@nationalcoasternews5798]

Miles Campbell I agree

[@kevinthompson6986]

From What i hear It's expensive to replace old steel track

[@BHV0810]

Cool

[@jellybrown]

Miles Campbell NO. ARROW LOOPERS SHOULD STAY HERE.

[@mhtube01]

Morgan was actually founded by Dana Morgan who was the son of Ed Morgan, co-founder of Arrow Dynamics. Hence why their tracks look so similar and Morgan was the right company to bring in to turn Steel Phantom into Phantom's Revenge. Morgan's coasters are known to be a lot smoother than Arrows, one of the reasons could be the lack of inversions. But they really haven't built anything within the last 16 years since Dana Morgan retired and sold the company to Chance. I wonder what the future of the remaining Arrow coasters will be, hopefully positive.

[@davidford3968]

I miss the Original Steel Phantom. I live in Pittsburgh so i got to ride it many times, and as long as you kept your head back, you were fine

[@joeheid2776]

I said the same exact thing!!!! Almost word for word on another video. Push back on your head entering the inversions. I learned that quickly.

[@Charles-tt3dr]

I miss the original too! Those inversions never bothered me.

[@howenator]

THE AVERAGE BEAR the insane ejector airtime??

[@weskalsek9394]

Yup was better

[@ToaAntan]

How many people can say that one of the best Roller Coasters is practically in their backyard? I live 45 Minutes from Pittsburgh and I still love the Phantom's Revenge after going to Hershey, Cedar Point, and Six Flags America. It ties with Millennium Force, Magnum XL-200, and Corkscrew as my favorite.

[@johnscott353]

I was maybe around 12 when I first rode the original, so my head would be between the overhead bars. I quickly learned that if i didn't anticipate the loop, my head would bang off the sides. Even if I did anticipate them, I'd still have a small headache for like 15 minutes after the ride. I enjoy the redesign and think they had to do it. Even so, the original was still the most exhilarating coaster I'ver ever been on.

[@heheheiamasupahflyingace3921]

This is great content! I like seeing something different like this in the coaster community.

[@jimmaloney1121]

Born and raised in Pittsburgh. Miss the original Steel Phantom. Those inversions knocked you senseless but were thrilling as Hell. Admittedly I have a soft spot for Arrow coasters, so I also miss Drachen Fire and Vortex. Call me weird.

[@CSX_Doolittle]

I miss vortex it was ruff but fun

[@mellowyellow6572]

I love these documentary style videos. You should do them on more than just closed parks. I'd love to hear about the history of Great Adventure, Knott's Berry Farm or Kentucky Kingdom.

[@goonies80s98]

Continue this series!!

[@sfmman2000]

This and Magnum I'd say are the best "classic" hypercoasters in existence. These rides provide an out of control feel that you just don't get with modern coasters (including RMC's offerings).

[@RampagingRex]

I've really enjoyed rides on Magnum, but sometimes the airtime became more painful than fun. Towards the back of the train, the lap bars hurt my thighs even more than Skyrush.

[@mikestein1024]

Arrows coasters are and were ground breaking beasts

[@lightningboat]

@@RampagingRex In my opinion, Magnum's restraints are worse than the infamous Skyrush restraints

[@EncryptingJava]

Wow! If u never mentioned the laser loop in this video, I would have totally forgot it existed lol! I LOOOOOOVE KENNYWOOD

[@Simon_Electric]

I've experienced both the Steel and the Revenge. However, Steel Phantom was my first looping coaster experience. I was too short to ride The Laser Loop so I sadly missed that opportunity 😢. Experiencing Steel is what sparked my love for coasters. I hate driving pass the park, especially during the off season at night and not see the ominous silhouette of those loops and inversions. With all that said, I can proudly say I've become an enthusiast thanks to Steel.

[@CoasterQ]

Phantom's Revenge might be the best steel coaster I've ever ridden.

[@mscoaster]

I feel happy that this rollercoaster is in my home park! Sorry to all of you who live on the other side of the country or in a different country all together :T

[@sportsygirl8]

Kennywood isn't exactly my home park, but have been there a good bit. Have yet to ride Phantom.

[@kevinthompson6986]

if i went i would want to ride the wooden relic's that been operating a lot longer

[@sportsygirl8]

Yes, Thunderbolt, Racer and Jack Rabbit are a lot of fun, they maybe old, but they are so much fun!

[@devastatixnwillreign]

sportsygirl8 sky rocket too XD

[@chknnuggies]

Same

[@retrochristmas7329]

I bet morgan could restructure their buisness to remodeling old arrow or vekoma steel coasters. Replaced old lift mechanisms and smoohing out bad transitions, add in new elements. Imagine if they added a big 150 ft loop to magnum or even extended the lift to 300ft. Create new floorless trains that run on the arrow track. Add some shock absorbers into the wheels to dampen out rough parts.

[@lightningboat]

Morgan merged with Chance Rides now it's Chance Morgan

[@Kennywood_Fanatic]

Kind of like the RMC of steel coasters?

[@MinkyBoodle44]

Kennywood seems like such a cool little park, in both ride line-up and setting, but I've not been able to go to many theme parks in my life (the few I have been to are all pretty good, though, so I'm happy about it). Also, I absolutely love your content! You explain things so articulately, and your production skills feel so professional! I wish every theme park had a historian/documentarian as thorough as you, man! Keep doing what you're doing! Also, I appreciate the video game music you sneak into the background occasionally

[@RampagingRex]

Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed! Not many people make notice of the video game music so I'm glad you appreciate it.

[@megelizabeth9492]

The wood coaster collection is also pretty neat, since they have three (or maybe two and a half with the thunderbolt redesign) of the few remaining coasters designed by the legendary John Miller, including the first coaster to showcase his upstop wheel design.

[@BenTheObject]

Ah, a steel classic. What a thrilling and historical ride of my home park

[@beefboi407]

I love when you use the Asteroid Coaster Music at when The Phantom's Revenge is revealed 🙃

[@mikeall7012]

Thanks for the video. I grew up near there and was/have been a frequent rider of both rides. At 15 I rode the original 20 times in one day (big storm in the morning scared the crowds) and woke up the next day in a rough way but it was so worth it. I was huge fan of the original so i was pissed when I heard they were modifying it but I changed my tune after riding the new one. They did one hell of a job. It is a very unique and fun ride, with a lot of character.

[@lain3386]

The bumps at the end make you feel as if you literally come off the track which is strange because watching it, it looks so smooth haha

[@acceleratedcreative]

Still watching this almost every week to hype up Kennywood

[@insaneiaq]

Last time I was at Kennywood was the last season for the Steel Phantom. I look forward to getting back there and taking the Revenge for a few spins.

[@e115lement_starstar9]

Kennywood is a GREAT park, and i have been there more than 10 times

[@chknnuggies]

I personally want the Phantom to be renovated again, but this time increasing both the first drop, and make the second drop steeper and, more importantly, bigger, making it a Giga Coaster. Not only is that just cool on its own, it would also mean Kennywood would be home to the two tallest coasters in Pennsylvania.

[@ayleeliz8081]

ah my hometown park 😻

[@adamgh0]

I remember riding the Steel Phantom for the first time when I was 13. I always chickened out on it when I went with my family but I was at a school picnic and my friend assured it me it was badass and totally safe (despite hearing rumors of Tylenol dispensers at the exit). It was also dark outside so I couldn't see the track very well which made it really scary (hence the "Phantom" element). It quickly became my favorite ride in the whole park. My ears were always red and banged up after the ride since the sides of the shoulder harness were at ear level. Phantom's Revenge is awesome but I miss the inversions.

[@LouieCartoony]

love late night uploads

[@dianehenkel9088]

I loved the Laser Loop. The Steel Phantom was a rough ride. It’s fine now as the Phantom’s Revenge.

[@irishmusiclover100]

This rollercoaster looks phenomenal and I think Morgan made it even more awesome by giving it the hyper treatment. I live in Pennsylvania but I'm on the other side. However next year I really need to make the trip to West Mifflin so I can ride this. I always love some good ejector airtime! 🎢🎢

[@RampagingRex]

If you're on the East side of PA then you must be kind of near Dorney Park where they have Steel Force. Another excellent Morgan hyper!

[@irishmusiclover100]

RampagingRex Productions Oh yeah I go to Dorney Park all the time with my season pass. I love Steel Force. It's not very intense but you get amazing airtime! I probably rode this about 40 times or maybe more.

[@robloxsrollercoasters6042]

Do More of these types of documentaries! Amazing video by the way!

[@SgtCooligan]

Apparently, the first time my Dad went on the Steel Phantom (before Morgan arrived), he saw someone getting carried off a stretcher.

[@gregglivengood7680]

I miss the loops... But love the makeover... Its just a great coaster either way..

[@rylansparkyschneider]

Phantom revenge was the most unique coaster I’ve rode. That second drop was so badass.

[@urbex_coasters]

The second drop was not reprofiled and the speed wasn't increased (Steel Phantom was always faster than advertised), they just said it was longer for marketing reasons because it was found to be longer with the newer measurements of the 21st century that made it easier to measure a drop into a revine. That's from what someone who worked on the ride told me. Now that it's been 19 years and they have newer things to market I can't immagine they're too mad about this being out there (not like it wasn't obvious from an enthusiast perspective). As I've heard, the second half was designed by Allan Shilke and Arrow was originally going to do it, but because of their financial problems from X Morgan was brought in to build it (same design). So in ranking manufacturers I definately consider this an Arrow.

[@winterbutty9815]

Fantastic video, loved watching this for the 7th time XD

[@chuckmckendry194]

I still long for the inversions. Sure they were rough, but that's what made the ride fun.

[@jminnick1990]

Cool video! My wife and I went to Kennywood this past week, and we were both pleasantly surprised by this coaster. We live close to Cedar Point and go there all the time, so we were expecting a ride similar to Magnum XL (which we aren't very fond of) ... this ride was so much smoother and faster and more exciting, in our opinions than Magnum, definitely worth the visit! I'm glad they changed the old layout. The older I get the more I steer clear of rough head banger coasters :)

[@sportsygirl8]

If you ever go to Kings Dominion, do not ride Anaconda, it's a head banger for sure. Grizzly is another to steer clear from, it's a body thrower.

[@AdamSmith-gs2dv]

sportsygirl8 I like Grizzly however when Hurler was operating that was definitely a stay away coaster. Hopefully it's RMC redo will be way better

[@sportsygirl8]

I have heard a lot of bad things about Hurler being really rough. I would imagine that the RMC of it will be much better.

[@southpuddle]

One of the most perfect coasters in existence

[@jeremystreets9319]

I rode this thing when I was about 6 or 7. It was my first large steel coaster. Pretty much got me hooked.

[@SteveChiller]

I still have my Steel Phantom t-shirt I got in 2000 a month before they closed the coaster. :) ... man I'm getting old..

[@yourexperienceguide]

Great job! :)

[@ShreyashBohara]

Great video, keep adding more

[@mustachecake3.081]

Thanks for the awesome video

[@a-cash8762]

I LOVE the phantom

[@xXOpenYourHeart759Xx]

i hear you using that sonic colors music lol asteroid coaster- good choice

[@therealZThaDon]

Lol thats how I felt. I was like I know this song!!!

[@13shifter]

Great video!

[@joesaxman5495]

It maybe for the best but the Steel Phantom was hell of a ride. You planted your feet firm to the floor in the seat and braced your head back. The entertainment in line would be people taking earrings out of their ears as you were not allowed to have them on. You never got an ear pierced if Kennywood Day was coming because the Steel Phantom would be calling. It was the 90’s!

[@aidancolon8854]

Ayyy Asteroid coaster

[@bethm5791]

That second drop still gives me a mild heart attack. I haven’t even looked at the Steel Curtain yet. “The Steel Curtain sets three new records: a Pennsylvania state record (tallest roller coaster), a North American record (most inversions), and a world record (tallest inversion).” Nope.

[@beb1684]

Thank you so much for making this

[@RampagingRex]

My pleasure! Kennywood is my home park!

[@beb1684]

RampagingRex Productions Same with me! I'm actually going in a few days and I'm trying to night ride all the coasters there

[@RampagingRex]

If you could renovate an Arrow Dynamics coaster, what would you change and why?

[@mattiasdanieldamsgaardwood1315]

RampagingRex Productions ORIENT EXPRESS AT WORLDS OF FUN!! !!!!!!!!!!

[@Coaster_Cray_Cray]

RampagingRex Productions ninja at St. Louis because it’s so rough.

[@RampagingRex]

That's an interesting coaster since it started as an Arrow coaster, but then Arrow went bankrupt midway through construction. Vekoma completed it, but I think Chance Rides would still be able to do some work on it.

[@RampagingRex]

I'd definitely rather the park have renovated it rather than removed it.

[@nationalcoasternews5798]

RampagingRex Productions I would do magnum, just fix the trains and roughness and it would be great, and I would make Tennessee Tornado longer. The other ones that are just plain bad are unfixable IMO

[@overlookers]

Great vid dude. Love to see one of these retrospectives on Big Bad Wolf.

[@RampagingRex]

That's actually a great idea. If I can find some footage of Big Bad Wolf in action, it would make for an interesting video.

[@overlookers]

Thanks Rex, I know shanehuish uploaded the promotional video from 1984. And the blueprints for the initial Schwarzkopf version of BBW are also online. I also recommend ironwulfx's pov, which was taken during the last week of operation. ;)

[@TheKurtsPlaceChannel]

Very interesting. Have a nice day now.

[@lucasgolembiewski1367]

I’m soo glad this coaster is at my home park

[@Fireworks_TV]

I have wild thing

[@lucasgolembiewski1367]

Is it good

[@pppfan103]

Your videos are so high quality. You need more subscribers.

[@kevinwest2826]

You called phantoms revenge one of the best steele coaster of all time. Thanks for the good laugh.

[@caseyribaric2225]

I am very disappointed I never got to ride Steel Phantom, but its green counterpart is one of the best coasters I have rode.

[@MrPink2024]

*STEEL CURTAIN!* 😱

[@sportsygirl8]

Glad this thing got re tracked and is a lot smoother. I have yet to ride it, when I first started riding roller coasters, I was only riding the wooden ones and was way too scared to ride Phantom's Revenge and then the next trip to Kennywood when I finally had the guts to ride it, it broke down 5 times that day, so back to being afraid of it and didn't ride. I haven't been back since then. Haven't been to Kennywood in a while because the drive isn't easy or fun for that matter, so if dad and I want coasters we go to Hershey Park every year, so hopefully get to go to Kennywood next year and I'll ride Phantom's Revenge. The Phantom doesn't like my cousin. She rode this in the 90's and snapped her neck and she goes back a few weeks ago and rides it and she got whip lash.

[@digggert]

I drove for 7 hours to visit this park, mostly for this coaster. And it blew me away. Definitely worth it for any enthusiast. It's beyond reason that Chance's hyper GT-X is not selling so far.

[@RampagingRex]

Seven hours?! Now that's dedication, but I think it's worth it for this ride. I'm in the same position since I can't believe no other parks have purchased a Hyper GT-X.

[@EdsterIII]

Six Flags Great America had a coaster called the Tidal Wave. Very basic and quick ride. Took 45 seconds. They hit the button. Your cars launched through a loop, up a tall hill, then backwards through the loop up another hill and done. Like the big looping coaster they showed in the beginning.

[@salvatoreanderson9707]

Love ur videos

[@mrlukeh3155]

Please make more of these amusement park documentaries

[@JerzeyJimmy]

...anyone else see the corkscrew shake at around 4:00?

[@ilyxr]

Next time you go to a theme park, look closely at the track on all coasters - you'll see that the shaking is quite normal and necessary. It's why bridges and tall buildings sway too.

[@kevinthompson6986]

If It doesn't shake it would brake

[@cookieflakez5674]

Yes I saw it

[@HockeyGUY66871]

Yes

[@trollsmasher4154]

Yeah coasters are designed to flex a bit under the stresses they endure

[@StarlightKick]

This coaster is the god of steel coasters to this day. Not to mention it's in the steel city itself.

[@RampagingRex]

Not to mention that going down the second drop gives a great view of the steel plant across the river. Still my #1 steel coaster to this day.

[@StarlightKick]

RampagingRex Productions I couldn't agree more. It's the coaster I grew up with because I was born in Pittsburgh. I can still remember the first day I went on it. Thankfully I'll be going back up home to visit Kennywood after I graduate maybe at the end of June. I'm gonna feel so alive when that time comes.

[@jaydenchrist6152]

The god of steal coasters not really fury 325 is the god of steal coasters

[@ericwoodward6149]

It’s neat how can redo a coaster to make it better.

[@coasternamegenerator5611]

I love the new trains, they look like old cars. Haven't been to the park though.

[@shanepetyko8004]

It’s funny because actually shock wave at six flags great America was the tallest arrow coaster and it made cédâr point build magnum. Everyone gives magnum the credit but shock wave started the whole thing.

[@ZachDrake5960]

There's also that fact that in late 2021, the track was repainted to purple for the 2022 season.

[@joetyler5816]

Hello RampagingRex! I suggest you should tackle Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. I would love that!

[@tpm2056]

Imagine they did that to other Arrow Loopers such as Viper or Anaconda :D Great documentary, I''m a huge fan of your videos!

[@robloxsrollercoasters6042]

Some GP would riot as viper is the last arrow mega looper out there standing.

[@RampagingRex]

I'd like them to leave Viper alone, considering it's the last of its kind (even though it's pretty painful). Anaconda, however, I would love for them to renovate.

[@jaydenchrist6152]

No not viper do it for anaconda

[@TKDragon75]

I know a lot of people say it was better as "Steel Phantom" and roughness and pain was part of the fun of it. While that might work for some, from a park perspective, they need a ride that works for most people. And Phantom's Revenge was that ride. From my personal experience with Arrow Loopers, they almost all rank lower than Phantom's Revenge on my list.

[@bethm5791]

On a side note I never road the Steel Phantom. I’ve never done well with loops but my brother and friends constantly complained about headaches from the inversions.

[@plyah8a]

At 6:35 in coaster 2.10 is that someone ducking down backwards in the opposite direction?

[@digggert]

a very informative video with nice footage. Out of the 17 Parks I visited in the US, this is easily top 3, maybe even top 1 of the steel coasters I did. What do you think about Chance's Lightning Run? I find that their oldshool style with very abrupt transitions is still well present in their new model and I'd love to see more of them built all over the world.

[@killiancarleyvlogs2694]

❤ the video big fan of kennywood

[@Shinyarc]

In my opinion Morgan/Chance’s best coaster is Mamba at Worlds of Fun. It’s so incredibly smooth, it blows my mind

[@captainmarco233]

My home park!!!!!!

[@marblesjn]

The music when goes through the elements is Asteroid Coaster 1 from Sonic colors.

[@misha2197]

I lived in rhe area at the time of the original Steel Phantom, and rode Phantoms Revenge and I'll tell you the original Steel Phantom was way way better.

[@CSX_Doolittle]

What was the song at hyper costers? I really want to know

[@anidaysmiles8960]

I live in Minnesota so I get to ride wild thing all the time.. good to know I've got the second best 😁

[@RampagingRex]

Wild Thing is an awesome Morgan hyper, but Valleyfair is overdue for a new roller coaster!

[@natacialallathin7774]

I rode on this at kenny wood for my b-day

[@RampagingRex]

Good choice if I say so myself!

[@natacialallathin7774]

RampagingRex Productions cool the first drop got me 😂

[@reaperct3454]

That lazer look thay had a coster called the greas lighting in Houston at six flags asroword

[@caseypack8038]

If at all possible, could you take a look at Opryland USA? I think it’s a very sad and interesting end to a very good amusement park.

[@prodigy-hu6dy]

5:36 Asteroid Coaster, Sonic colors

[@RMsteelerfan7]

Hey what’s the song at 2:22? I like that song!

[@warmerparty3862]

I wanted to correct a mistake you made: Phantom’s drop is 232 feet according to Kennywood.

[@SirBungaminJames]

It'll now be a purple coaster!

[@mnsirens]

Though Wild Thing and Steel Dragon are Morgan's best, Steel Force at Dorney Park and Mamba at Worlds of Fun were also made by Morgan. So was Steel Eel at Sea World San Antonio

[@brycejohnson5034]

I love rollercoasters

[@spike772000]

Main reason for changing the Steel Phantom is the stress fractures in the loop section.

[@JMaster9877]

It's purple now, but still amazing

[@jakobmartins5027]

Still my favorite coaster

[@thechannelofrandomness6814]

Did it always go the same speed?

[@daftturnip51906]

3:40, 3:57, 4:02 did the track move or it's me?

[@chuckmckendry194]

Whilst I agree that The Phantom's Revenge is a smoother ride, I'm one of those who miss the inversions of The Steel Phantom.

[@beaver07]

3:05 this is safe.

[@GG-kr3nk]

Why is the black widow closed and will it reopen