Rollo Coaster

Rollo Coaster
Ride entrance
Idlewild and Soak Zone
Coordinates 40°15′37″N 79°16′53″W / 40.2602°N 79.2814°W / 40.2602; -79.2814Coordinates: 40°15′37″N 79°16′53″W / 40.2602°N 79.2814°W / 40.2602; -79.2814
Status Operating
Opening date 1938
General statistics
Type Wood
Manufacturer Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters
Designer Herbert Paul Schmeck
Track layout Out and Back
Lift/launch system Chain lift
Height 27 ft (8.2 m)
Drop 25 ft (7.6 m)
Length 900 ft (270 m)
Speed 25 mph (40 km/h)
Inversions 0
Duration 1:15
Height restriction 42 in (107 cm)
Rollo Coaster at RCDB
Pictures of Rollo Coaster at RCDB

Rollo Coaster is a wooden roller coaster located at Idlewild and Soak Zone near Ligonier, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1938 by the leading roller coaster builder of that era, the Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters.[1] It was Idlewild's first and only roller coaster for decades until the larger Wild Mouse coaster was erected in 1993. The coaster closed in 2016, amidst safety concerns, but was reopened for the 2018 Operation Season

Built over a hillside at Idlewild Park, the Rollo Coaster is an out and back format. It uses skid brakes operated manually with a lever. This ride features two trains, but only operates with one. Each train consists of 3 cars that have 2 rows each car. Each row is 1 longs seat, so it is possible to squeeze 3 small people into the seat. It was popular with coaster enthusiasts due to its lack of restraints except for a grab bar, until 2018. It is located next to the Carousel and Flying Aces.

While the Rollo Coaster features only small hills, it uses topography to its advantage. Built over steep terrain, the ride features many tight twists and turns which create a rough ride and a sense of much greater speed.

This coaster was the inspiration for Boulder Dash, a similar but much larger coaster at Lake Compounce.

The Rollo Coaster is an ACE Coaster Classic.[2]

Incident

On August 11, 2016, a three year old child fell from the ride to the ground and was rushed to the hospital.[3] The ride was shut down pending an investigation.[4] Two years later, in 2018, the ride reopened with more safety features and weight restrictions.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Coaster Details - Rollo Coaster - Idlewild Park". American Coaster Enthusiasts. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  2. ↑ "Coaster Awards". www.aceonline.org. Retrieved 2016-08-12.
  3. ↑ Bacon, John (August 11, 2016). "Child falls from Pa. roller coaster in 3rd U.S. park incident in 4 days". USA Today. Retrieved 2016-08-12.
  4. ↑ Ortiz, Erik (August 11, 2016). "Young Boy Falls Off Roller Coaster, Rushed to Hospital". NBC News. Retrieved 2016-08-12.
  5. ↑ Himler, Jeff (April 12, 2018). "Idlewild Roller Coaster to run again with more safety restraints". TRIB LIVE. TRIB Total Media. Retrieved 2018-06-12.
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