flyingguitar
TS Member
Why dose the big one only operate 2 trains now, has it had changes to its programming?
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Blackpool Pleasure Beach: 2025 Discussion
John_P
TS Member
It's not ran three trains for the public since they crashed 2 into each other in 2001.
They could definitely still operate 3 as they'd do it at the start of some days to determine which trains to use.
Nowadays I doubt they ever have 3 trains ready to go at once. Nor would running 2 or 3 trains make a difference to capacity you get so much faff during onload and off load. Plus it's pay one price now so no benefit to the added wear and tear running 3 trains would have on the ride and the staff.
In the mid 90s on 3 trains it was absolutely rapid how quick trains were entering and leaving the station.
They could definitely still operate 3 as they'd do it at the start of some days to determine which trains to use.
Nowadays I doubt they ever have 3 trains ready to go at once. Nor would running 2 or 3 trains make a difference to capacity you get so much faff during onload and off load. Plus it's pay one price now so no benefit to the added wear and tear running 3 trains would have on the ride and the staff.
In the mid 90s on 3 trains it was absolutely rapid how quick trains were entering and leaving the station.
That's right, in recent years they've only had two assembled
When using two trains now, a train is only dispatched after the other returns to the safety brake (before turning into the station). I imagine this is to ensure if it estops, there isn't a train halfway up the lift
flyingguitar
TS Member
can't be giving free lift hill experinces can we?
really though, I know I go on about how much a ride vehicle costs to run and maintain, but the big one is BPB's biggest draw, without going to PPR again to get people seeing Icon (can't see it from outside the park) it is a masive draw, and they can't get 2 trains running over easter, let alone 3 running over summer, when they are getting enough crowds to get 70 min queues!
To be fair the engineers have a very small timeline to complete all the winter maintained during off season, and not only are they doing extended maintenance on the Grand National they're also doing a lot of work with Launch Pad. I see this as being understandable but going into next season when none of theses rides have extended maintenance I can't see why the Big One should only have one train ready.
Apparently the second train is imminent.
Apparently the second train is imminent.
Coaster
TS Member
I remember when the whole park would be ready for the beginning of February, and at least half the coasters running 2 trains. Probably only going back 7/8 years.
Cutbacks to the number of staff in departments such as engineering is the most likely cause of this decline imo.
venny
TS Member
Spot on. The park had one of, if not the shortest closed season of any seasonal, regional park. The park would close in November (and sometimes even open at Christmas/NY), then reopen mid-February. Those opening weekends were never perfect, but as you say, they probably had larger quantities of available rides than there is this season, despite the closed season being far longer.
The only thing would say is that there was surprisingly good ride uptime at the start of this season.
Big Dipper and Big One on one train on a sunny weekend at Easter is not acceptable though. Weave in the other closed rides - Launchpad, River Caves, the five rides closed this season, and reduced opening times for the like of Valhalla and Steeplechase, and it’s not good.
The only thing would say is that there was surprisingly good ride uptime at the start of this season.
Big Dipper and Big One on one train on a sunny weekend at Easter is not acceptable though. Weave in the other closed rides - Launchpad, River Caves, the five rides closed this season, and reduced opening times for the like of Valhalla and Steeplechase, and it’s not good.
More tickets prices changes/ offers today
- 2 for 1 offer in planet offers ( based on mid tier new advance price) eg family of four just £71 valid until 5th May - A crazy good deal with tickets working out at £17.75 each - if enough people find this offer It will be stupidly busy for twilight thrills Saturdays as usually very busy to start with.
- However there are massive price increases on tickets online Adults now £35 but only over 14 days in advance. £39 a week advance then goes up to £41. Goes up again to £43!!! about 3 days in advance. Crazy with how many rides closed - must be following flamingo lands business model
- As per they have only half updated the website so one page still advertised old prices even though not that price to buy and not sure who how they workout a saving of £20 when £50- £35 is £15. But maths is not their strong point
On the plus side at least advertising wise the two day tickets are actually better value vs individual tickets and now make sense
Whether the price increases are to cover the really cheap planet coaster offers and temporary or they are permanent who knows but it’s not good when the cheaper ticket prices of £25/£30 have been advertised everywhere recently
Another recent change is on the day prices don’t go to full price until 10am now. ( however it still says 6am below this and 9am on another page ) so who knows where they stand with this. If it’s 10am it’s much better for people that decide when they get up or whilst having breakfast
- 2 for 1 offer in planet offers ( based on mid tier new advance price) eg family of four just £71 valid until 5th May - A crazy good deal with tickets working out at £17.75 each - if enough people find this offer It will be stupidly busy for twilight thrills Saturdays as usually very busy to start with.
- However there are massive price increases on tickets online Adults now £35 but only over 14 days in advance. £39 a week advance then goes up to £41. Goes up again to £43!!! about 3 days in advance. Crazy with how many rides closed - must be following flamingo lands business model
- As per they have only half updated the website so one page still advertised old prices even though not that price to buy and not sure who how they workout a saving of £20 when £50- £35 is £15. But maths is not their strong point
On the plus side at least advertising wise the two day tickets are actually better value vs individual tickets and now make sense
Whether the price increases are to cover the really cheap planet coaster offers and temporary or they are permanent who knows but it’s not good when the cheaper ticket prices of £25/£30 have been advertised everywhere recently
Another recent change is on the day prices don’t go to full price until 10am now. ( however it still says 6am below this and 9am on another page ) so who knows where they stand with this. If it’s 10am it’s much better for people that decide when they get up or whilst having breakfast
Attachments
The 5 rides closed don't really make an impact since they were never busy anyway. But Yeah Big One and Big Dipper should be on 2 as should Avalanche which should have 3. Nick Streak also badly needs its 2nd train back
I have completely lost track of what prices are available for who and when. What on earth are they doing
A couple of updates from this weekend, there was some site preparation on the Grand Prix site. The fence boundary has been adjusted and the path adjacent to the Watson rd edge has been slimmed down.
Meanwhile at Launch Pad, the inner fence has been painted black (not sure if final finish) and it looks like they were about to paint some floor markings (assuming its yellow lines etc)
A couple of updates from this weekend, there was some site preparation on the Grand Prix site. The fence boundary has been adjusted and the path adjacent to the Watson rd edge has been slimmed down.
Meanwhile at Launch Pad, the inner fence has been painted black (not sure if final finish) and it looks like they were about to paint some floor markings (assuming its yellow lines etc)
Polarexplorer2025
TS Member
So Universal is happening.
Mrs T has praising Labour. I'm betting there's a smell of government money in the air.
So Mrs T.
Beilieve me I'm with you Mrs T.
Let's start a petition to get Mrs T a giant wedge off government wonga so she can continue to grow the park in her image and add one massive one off ride investment for a special project.
That will help spread the tourism boom from Universal around the UK.
I'd sign that.
P. S. Giant polar coaster 1 ft bigger than falcons flight. (not from sea level, do it properly.) 15 loopty loops on the way down please.
Who can make a petition I think we've a chance here.
.
Mrs T has praising Labour. I'm betting there's a smell of government money in the air.
So Mrs T.
Beilieve me I'm with you Mrs T.
Let's start a petition to get Mrs T a giant wedge off government wonga so she can continue to grow the park in her image and add one massive one off ride investment for a special project.
That will help spread the tourism boom from Universal around the UK.
I'd sign that.
P. S. Giant polar coaster 1 ft bigger than falcons flight. (not from sea level, do it properly.) 15 loopty loops on the way down please.
Who can make a petition I think we've a chance here.
.
Nash isn't going anywhere that post was false I know a chairman of a coaster club had a long conversation with the park and they don't know where this rumour came from. There are doing a lot of refurbishment work on it this year
flyingguitar
TS Member
It would be quite possible by getting in GCI or the gravity group in to retrack portions of it, they have done really good work making rides like this much better, although this is BPB and thus they will probably try smoothing it out using a spirit level and some hammers