Amusement Park Replicas to be Unveiled for Lights on the Lake

ALTOONA, PA, November 9, 2010—Replicas of several amusement park rides both past and present will be on display during the Holiday Lights on the Lake celebration this season at Lakemont Park.

The display includes a replica of the Leap-the-Dips roller coaster, the oldest standing wooden roller coaster in the world.  The replica was built by Roy R. Carnill, who worked as a pipe fitter on the Pennsylvania Railroad. Carnill also created other models including one of the Merry-Go-Round, which was sold and removed from the park in 1982.

The models were donated to AMTMA by Peggyann Carnill, who received them from her uncle. They were restored to operating condition by her son, John Curfmann. In a letter to AMTMA Peggyann Carnill said she wanted them to be where they could be enjoyed by visitors to Lakemont Park.

Also on display is a model of the Skyliner roller coaster brought in when the park was known as Boyertown in 1987. The Skyliner Model was built by Robert Kuny and donated by his sister Jean Hazlett. Mrs. Hazlett’s husband Charles was involved in bringing the Skyliner to Altoona and supplied the original plans that were used to create the model. 

The model train displays, including the amusement ride replicas, will be open on evenings and weekends from Thanksgiving until January 2, 2011.

PHOTOS:

Leap-the-Dips: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ieQBnxQZl465rnPOo1c_nA?feat=directlink

Skyliner: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/h0XDbRnwx1yO-6SuG6uOtw?feat=directlink

Boyertown: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MPNotluIdOJrDZatyY-dSA?feat=directlink