World's Oldest Coaster - Leap the Dips POV, Altoona, PA

[@JSInOrbit]

I was the rider in the red tshirt! They told us there was not enough weight in the car to complete the course. The guy pushing it said he had to earlier that day as well and had a bloody scratch down his leg to prove it. The front wheel assembly fell off on the second dip when we rolled backwards. They pushed again and let us out at the ground level dip after rocking back and forth a bit. In another hour it was running again, so I wasn't left with half a credit! 👌

[@AmusementInsider]

What an awesome experience! Glad to hear you got the credit after all!

[@microdragon8644]

It was fairly smooth when I rode it

[@derylalexander189]

My two-year-old daughter rode both coasters at the park today. She now has 2 credits! 👍🏿

[@hellodorothy8627]

​@@derylalexander189 age 2 ?! That's amazing. Is there no height restriction for this

[@boonewillis]

Noway

[@YurBoiCarson]

I’m glad we still have this janky-looking masterpiece around.

[@CC_Reads]

jack rabbit at kennywood is crazy

[@malakaihernandez2235]

@Dante H Dammit.

[@MinkyBoodle44]

What a cool piece of preserved roller coaster history!

[@daa589]

Yes that is amazing :)

[@jefferyholland]

I grew up in Lakemont and took many a ride on the Leap The Dips coaster. As a kid I thought that fist incline was massive. Lakemont park in the day was beautiful, what a shame that most of the old charm is gone but at least they kept the original coaster. Thanks for the ride down memory lane.

[@RavenStation711]

Side-Friction Roller Coaster 1 looks too intense for me.

[@johnfoltz8183]

Side Friction Coaster 1 is really good value.

[@sugarcube5]

The music is nice here

[@sanichuuu]

I want to get off Side-Friction Roller Coaster 1.

[@johnfoltz8183]

Side Friction Coaster 1 has broken down.

[@johnfoltz8183]

I'm not paying that much for Restroom 12.

[@skodwardee]

If people were terrified of this back in the day imagine how theyd react to coasters today

[@julierobichaud6393]

Right! My grandma could ride this!

[@alewiina]

I'm terrified of it now, considering how old it is haha. Are those dips *supposed* to be flexible like that?!

[@daniellanglois89]

@@alewiina omg I know

[@swindlesween]

@@alewiina Well yes, the amount of force exerted by the free-wheel car after every drop would snap more brittle boards. Flexibility is extremely important for wooden coasters, especially when the track is only one ply thick.

[@Jeffcatbuckeye]

Actually I’d say this is way more terrifying.

[@sweety1981md]

I rode this, and this was the scariest rollercoaster I ever riden. Felt like it was going to fall apart the whole time.

[@gredw6733]

Rode this in the 50s and 60s. Pretty exciting for a 9-year old in those days.

[@johnbalazy9768]

its great it still runs but sad to see all the other rides removed

[@RC_Colorado]

be sure to stop by the Horseshoe Curve when visiting Altoona. you don't have to be a train aficionado to appreciate it. one of only a handful of places where engineers can see the back end of their own trains.

[@jjperceval]

Kuranda is another of those places

[@aoilpe]

@@jjperceval Brusio with its 70meters spiral viaduct in the Swiss Alps is another, on the Bernina „world heritage“ line... there the Engine pass under it’s carriage...

[@dreonwhuds313]

I rode it 2 years ago, its actually fast!! It doesn't come thru in the video as well. But a 2 seater car on a narrow gage track feels faster than it is

[@jeanhartely]

This coaster looks just about my speed and intensity level.

[@GCpov]

Wait a minute: is the track meant to be flexible?😂🤣

[@bjtgaming]

yes but not THAT much. that really concerns me, and shows that there not taking that much care of it

[@danieldj7126]

@@bjtgaming it's 100+ years old, give them a break lol

[@Youtube.Commen-tater]

@@danieldj7126 The original ride fell into complete disrepair around '85, and was refurbished by a furniture handyman in '97 and reopened in '99; This is how it looks with upkeep maintenance after 21 years. It's entirely likely the track has slowly warped over time due to the weight of the cars rolling over it constantly, but it was supposed to do that! It's white oak, a very dense wood, saturated in motor oil for pliability and weather protection. No smoking! Considering the park that owned the ride didn't have the money to demolish it in disrepair, and it was declared a national historic landmark after the coaster community brought a bunch of attention to the ride alongside a fundraiser for its repair, it's likely to be kept running by the coaster enthusiasts as long as the community and structure can stand.

[@mikekelly7862]

If it doesn't bend, it breaks... as a general rule. But yeah this thing is so old, its amazing that they've maintained it and kept it running this whole time; they've probably had to build parts in house, they don't have a manufacturer to consult if they need to do a retrack. It may very well be perfectly normal for it to have that much flex... or they may just be holding it together with tape and spitshine at this point so they can keep their claim. TBH either way its cool... im glad its operating even if its janky as hell.

[@Whiteraven994]

@@danieldj7126 Oh something will break for sure.

[@ronnorris7821]

I live in Altoona,Pa. I remember when I was a very small child my parents took me on this ride. I was never so scared in my life, I remember crying all the way while on it. And no Altoona is not way back in the woods, actually we are located about 1 or 2 miles from 2 main interstates. Park used to be beautiful but some nimrod took control over it and ruined it I go out there once and a while and if it weren't for 1 landmark still there I wouldn't know where I was in the park. Person that took over and ruined it was just looking to make quick cash. Now almost all of the rides are gone along with most vendors. They put up basketball courts, tennis courts and a bunch of other things that small children aren't interested in. Can't leave well -enough alone.

[@aoilpe]

Watching this gives me a grin on my face! I love this coaster...

[@SlenderPop-bl9oj]

Did anyone else see the wood bend in the beginning... That scared me so much 😯

[@Soonjai]

Serious question: Is that amount of flex in the track even healthy for the ride?

[@Darkaxelgaming-tt7ip]

Probably not?

[@daa589]

We clearly need a commentary to this video

[@Spekticon]

I mean it just happens to wood overtime. It's probably not reaching more than 25 mph so it's not really harming it, just normal wear n' tear.

[@diggymgee]

Wooden supports like these and for wooden coasters are supposed to have some give to them.

[@jiifigmentforever]

Considering that the coaster is side friction and it's in constant contact with the flexing wood, I think it's part of the design and alright, if not a little scary looking to our eyes.

[@davidmehling4310]

There was an amusement park near Anderson Indiana about a century ago and they had a roller coaster called Leap the Dips. Photos I've seen look similar to this

[@jackzimmer6553]

Those are some dips!

[@Magicul]

1:21 thats a very interesting anti rollback

[@macflod]

Looks terrifying!!

[@bmoremetal]

I was going to go there this year, but my family is scared of Covid. Hopefully they preserve it for more years.

[@daa589]

Ok that's nice but when is it getting RMC'd? ;)

[@RC_Colorado]

HAHAHAHAHAHA

[@Soonjai]

Thursday.

[@Jaxsen522]

Like son of steel vengeance?

[@johnfoltz8183]

Iron Dips, or Twisted Dips

[@Jaxsen522]

@@johnfoltz8183 so I meant it could be better than steel vengeance and that it isn’t son of beast at kings island where it was one of the most infamous coasters ever! Steel vengeance on the other hand is really a elite coaster!

[@Mangost8en]

What are those board things on the sides for that brush the car starting at 1:21?

[@electricboogaloo5645]

It's anti-rollback system

[@thetheatreorgan168]

​@electricboogaloo5645 you know the ride is primitive when the rollback dogs are ON the track

[@vincentcappello4746]

The ARB on this thing is so great.

[@XYZcoaster]

Blessed ride

[@teddym2808]

"Rollercoaster 1 looks too intense for me".

[@LukeE94]

I would love to check this one out! Is it a little hard to get to without a car?

[@jg-7780]

Not really easy, but not impossible. Altoona is a fairly remote city. It's served by greyhound and Amtrak but neither come very frequently (Amtrak only does once a day each direction). Once you’re in Altoona, you should be able to take the local bus system to the park (the #9 bus should get you from downtown to Lakemont park reasonably quick). However due to how far it is from other cities and how infrequent intercity transit is, you'd probably need to stay overnight for at least one night.

[@LukeE94]

Thanks for sharing! 😁

[@MCSlammerMcJammer]

I rode it and it was actually so much fun

[@jakesfunhouse5077]

Is it just me or did the lift chain get faster?

[@francisnguyen6349]

Nice classic roller coaster.

[@Monorail-Beyond-the-Veil]

Top of the hill POV starts at 1:37.

[@AG7-MTM]

I heard there's a national law preventing the destruction of this ride.

[@triple7marc]

They wouldn’t demolish it anyway. It’s the only reason anyone goes to this park.

[@derylalexander189]

​@triple7marc It's the reason I went today. One of the more scary roller coasters I've ever been on in my life. Especially holding my 2 year old.

[@Titan77792]

So cool!

[@Aloha745]

“We’re getting launched right here...look at that acceleration...” 🤣🤣

[@Brandon-qd2lb]

So what happens if it valleys lol?

[@Youtube.Commen-tater]

Get out and push!

[@mr.froglegs]

good old Lakemont Park

[@futuramabender2078]

Explain the name please. I get the dips part , but leap?

[@lauramolony]

She is old but still looks pretty sweet though.

[@mootpoint7053]

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

[@stevemeinecke]

I got to ride it in 1999 it's old I love it

[@sugarcube5]

0:21 OH SHOOT THAT AINT SAFE

[@michael_Calhoun]

Bet

[@johnfoltz8183]

When you valley. If this was RCT2, it would explode if another train collided with it

[@sugarcube5]

@@johnfoltz8183 I play RCT2 and agree

[@jefferyholland]

I am 63 years old and have ridden that coaster since I was a little kid and it always did that. Not sayin it's a good thing but it is part of this coasters personality.

[@sugarcube5]

@@jefferyholland I mean yeah it’s crazy considering it still exists

[@JasonMcLemore]

What, no horizon-leveled POV? 🤣

[@echubbi8611]

lol i think coaster force does that

[@JasonMcLemore]

@@echubbi8611 Yea they do. But Austin has done a few on his channel too.

[@AmusementInsider]

@@echubbi8611 I’m the OG! ;)

[@AmusementInsider]

Maybe it is 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️ you’ll never know

[@mattgeezy3002]

To think how many people ride this over all those years...

[@xxbobsetsfirexx4269]

When 110 years you are ...valley will you not?

[@Fahrenheit4051]

Looks like it can use a full retrack.

[@mikej804]

Almost died on that one feet held me in mr.yingaling was there 1985 86

[@LauandBehold]

I would be so afraid to fly off!

[@Ultimate_YT123]

Yo i live like five minutes away from this

[@derylalexander189]

I just checked it out today. That's a rough old roller coaster. Scarier than it looks. I swear almost flew out of the cart!

[@MattGames7734]

so sad to hear it won’t be opening in 2024 :(.

[@acidgougewaltz]

opened in 1902. let's assume the first people running it were a bare minimum age 18. that means they are born in 1884. closer in time than we are to 9/11. that's the minimum. had a prepubescent adolf visited america he might have ridden this. the last veteran of the war of 1812 dies two years after this opened. veterans of the napoleonic wars are still around. i want to ride this so bad

[@kolbyhill8121]

How does that not derail when there aren’t any bottom wheels

[@stevenstice6683]

It's a not going fast enough to derail over hill crests.

[@johnfoltz8183]

Maybe 8-10 MPH max, and no steep drops or huge airtime hills.

[@adakalyoncu1913]

You probably get more negative G's when you are cycling(if there are slopes around) than riding this...

[@porcelainthunder2213]

Soemtimes, the front wheels do come off slighltly at the top of the uphill part of the dip, but the weight of the cars, and you now usually need at least two to ride, is enpugh weight to keep the car firmly stay on the track. The lifting is also not enough to really hurt anything except yor spine.

[@robkenna2795]

My son rode by himself in the rear seat. He said the front wheels were lifting quite a bit. Kinda sketchy, but i dont think its had many safety issues.

[@futuramabender2078]

Is this a roller coaster that you control yourself?

[@GoudLoodje]

No, you can’t control the ride yourself. The entire thing is controlled by gravity with exceptions obviously being the lift hill and brake run

[@qu0dlb3t]

give it the rmc treatment lol

[@lamby1074]

No loop?🤔

[@spvcethvg8462]

It was built in 1902...

[@emi_nunez6879]

Esta más chida que muchas modernas. 🤭

[@GamerBoi2000]

Holy Shrek

[@strictlyaesthetic9202]

Due to Covid 19 .... They must add trim breaks for better safety...

[@AmandaPerez-wg6qt]

Leap the dips was made in 1802 it's was complete in 1902

[@megelizabeth9492]

Well, it’s the world’s oldest surviving coaster anyway, if not the oldest.

[@kevinthompson6986]

Plenty of other more unique woodies out there like the one in Australia with a on board brake man this actually had to close for season to retract and work on the one in Australia didn’t

[@mattglumactheautisticgolfe1608]

Steve Smith in the yellow shirt.

[@ocrap10]

Not exactly Steel Vengeance is it

[@bjoe385]

The only ride more sketchy than the plans drew up originally.

[@dragonpullman23]

0:39 They seriously were playing '80s Chicago there? That song sucks!

[@chrisbooth3417]

looks like it needs an RMC treatment.😂

[@jakesanders269]

Nice masks....😏

[@jmanx360]

I should have operated this but Lakemont's horrible management decided to screw me and not rehire me for 2020 even though I did nothing wrong in 2019 and was one of the best employees according to my supervisors.

[@amandaswindell8732]

I think I got tetanus just looking at those tracks. Also, after that flex, I fully expected it to collapse. I shudder to think what they pay in insurance to keep that thing running. Amazing piece of roller coaster history but 😬

[@matthewtalbot7854]

Helps alot if you aint fat.

[@TC_Video_Studio]

No seat belts, must be take note to safety.

[@spvcethvg8462]

It goes like 15 mph, you dont need it.

[@oneandonlysound99]

Seat-belts mess up, waste time/operations, and are annoying on good rides, the 2000's and on insured that bs.

[@blainesellars1548]

Need some oil on that shit

[@Alfiesq]

If people in 1902 were scared of this I’d pay to watch one of them ride hyperspace mountain 😭

[@askjeevescosby2928]

They never should have made this a stupid public park. It should have been kept as a amusment park. And the upkeep on bith coasters is a disgrace. Cant even paint the new bords. This thing will end up burned down by some greedy property developer.

[@williewade398]

It looks slow

[@triple7marc]

It was built in 1902…

[@patrickreed6896]

It looks stupid

[@michaelwright6124]

Boring