Hey,
I got to thinking the other day that one of the first roller coasters ever still has the record for the longest and highest. I'm sure I'm not spelling this right but the Moun Chaunk gravity railway in PA was a little over 1000 feet high and 18 miles long. Sure it was originally intended to haul coal and was built along the side of a mountain but it was used for rides after the mines closed. Ahh just food for thought until May comes around.
I think that they mean 1000 feet above sea level, not over the ground. Let's not get carried away like SFMM with rediculous claims! :)
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Vince "cpboy"Albertson
" CP is very good value" -A RCT guest at CP
Actually, it was 1000 feet higher at its beginning than at its end.
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Duane Cahill
http://NittanyLions.com
It's not just for Penn State fans anymore!
I can tell we are getting desperate to beat MF. Did this happen with Magnum
MF will still be the highest in existence even if it wasn't the first ;)
The Mauch Chunk Switchback Railway ran down the side of a mountain. The reason it gets lumped in with roller coasters is because it was gravity powered...but in most regards it has more in common with a railroad than with a roller coaster. It was not built for the purpose of providing amusement, but rather for transporting coal. It did become a sightseeing/excursion train, though, once it was no longer needed for hauling the coal.
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
*** This post was edited by RideMan on 1/17/00. ***