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Black Diamond (roller coaster) facts for kids

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Black Diamond
The Black Diamond 2015.jpg
The building housing the Black Diamond in 2015
Knoebels Amusement Resort
Location Knoebels Amusement Resort
Coordinates 40°52′47″N 76°30′24″W / 40.8797°N 76.5068°W / 40.8797; -76.5068
Status Operating
Opening date October 8, 2011
Cost $2.25 million
General statistics
Type Steel – Family – Enclosed
Manufacturer Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters
Designer John C. Allen
Height 35 ft (11 m)
Inversions 0
Height restriction 42 in (107 cm)
Black Diamond at RCDB

The Black Diamond is an exciting steel roller coaster you can ride at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. This ride has a cool history! It used to be called the Golden Nugget and was located at Morey's Piers in Wildwood, New Jersey.

The Black Diamond's Journey: From Golden Nugget to Knoebels

The ride first opened in July 1960. It was called the Golden Nugget Mine Ride back then. It was part of Morey's Piers in New Jersey, on a new part of Hunt's Pier.

Original Design and Theme

The Golden Nugget was a tall ride, built three stories high. Riders would sit in a mine car. They would travel through a "desert" on the top floor. The Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters company built this special coaster. John C. Allen was the engineer who designed it. Bill Tracy's company, Amusement Display, created all the western-themed decorations for the ride.

Moving to a New Home

On December 11, 2008, Morey's Piers announced that the Golden Nugget would be taken down. They even held a special ceremony for it on January 31, 2009.

Soon after, on January 26, 2009, exciting news came out! Knoebels Amusement Resort had bought the Golden Nugget's track and trains from Morey's Piers.

The coaster was then changed and rebuilt at Knoebels. It was placed where the park's bald eagle habitat used to be. Don't worry, the eagles were moved to a new home! The Black Diamond officially opened to riders on October 8, 2011.

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