After running for 96 years, Kennywood‘s Turtle – the world’s last tumble bug ride – is to close for a preservation project, the park has announced.
The Turtle debuted at Kennywood in Pennsylvania in 1927 as the Tumble Bug – a generic name for the attraction. In 1948, the ride was fitted with a new set of cars and became the Turtle. It is now the last operating ride of its kind in the world.
The historical ride’s last day of operation for this season is 20 August. After the centre foundation is replaced, the Turtle is due to reopen in 2024.
The Turtle opened at Kennywood in 1927
“It’s time,” project manager Gary Miller said in a blog post on Kennywood’s website. “We need to disassemble the ride itself, jackhammer up the existing foundation and dig down to the bedrock.”
Once the bedrock is reached, Miller and his team will completely reconstruct the centrepiece.
“We’ll mount the rebar cage into the bedrock, then rebuild the foundation,” Miller said. “We’ll also run new wiring from the control booth to the new center foundation. Operationally, nothing changes.”
The Turtle’s manufacturer is long defunct, Kennywood said in the blog post. The project will be completed by the park’s in-house team of carpenters, maintenance technicians and electricians.
“Because these crews need to disassemble most of the ride and dig approximately 15 feet underground, it’s much easier to get started now, before the ground freezes up during the winter months,” the park said.
Founded as a trolley park in 1898, Kennywood was named a National Historic Landmark in 1987. Until it was purchased by Parques Reunidos, Kennywood was a family-owned theme park.
Last year, Kennywood reopened its classic Kangaroo ride after an extensive restoration project. Another historical attraction, Kangaroo first opened at the park in 1962.
