i understand where some folks dont "get" the Tbolt. it has a strange feel to it. because of its lopsided shape and brief duration it might leave a discriminating rider to question its mythological status. but i, for one, did love it instantly without any initial "let down" period. it may lack the violence of some of the other roaring twenties "rib ticklers", but tbolt is plenty rambunctious and it rocks through its course dishing out great airtime and some serious lateral g forces. toss in super cool rare NAD trains, an intense drop down a cliff right out of the station, a wicked whirlpool of a helix, then tack on a couple of extra deep dips out of sight into the underbrush, and youve got a fun, FUN coaster. tbolt is also VERY well maintained. here it is, running old-school trains up and down its 80 year old ravine section, and yet its still as smooth and fast as can be. kennywood is well known as a living coaster exhibit who dish out tons of TLC to their oldies but woodies, and thunderbolt is the quirkiest, wildest and most interesting to ride of the whole bunch. lastly, i should add that the night experience on tbolt is a must. i took a recent ride on t-bolt at about ten o clock on a hot and rainy evening, back seat, of course. the factories across the river were filling the sky with yellow smoke and the p-burg hills full of crickets seemed so mellow and beatific, a compliment to our very non-mellow rattle up and down the dark ravine. we were cutting across the heat and raindrops, flying out of the seats and slamming into one another. i personally felt that everyone in the train knew that this feeling we had was rare and sublime. thunderbolt has probably delivered COUNTLESS such nights to thousands of riders.
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