Kennywood marks coaster's 50th birthday with Thunderbolt Week
Kennywood is celebrating the golden anniversary of one of its classic wooden roller coasters May 29 through June 3.
Thunderbolt Week will feature $19.68 admission to the West Mifflin amusement park for anyone age 50 or older.
The original Pippin roller coaster, from 1924, was rebuilt in 1968 as the Thunderbolt.
Much of the ride was left intact and just a few modifications have been made over the years.
The Thunderbolt was rated the #1 roller coaster by the New York Times in 1974.
The Thunderbolt's track is 3,250 feet long and reaches a maximum speed of 55 m.p.h.
The ride lasts 101 seconds.
Most coasters start out by going up a lift hill but the Thunderbolt take the unusual route of going into the first drop immediately and not hitting the lift hill until the middle of the ride after the second drop.
