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Blackpool Pleasure Beach: General Discussion

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Ben James said:
Anyone know what the procedure is for returning a stalled train to the station? Do they have to take it of the track or somehow pull it back in? Always wondered this.
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It's stuck in the tunnel and will be winched into the brakes.

For me, this highlights how poorly designed the Big One is, when an empty train can't get from a mid course block to the station on a section that's not high enough to be affected by any wind it's a poor show.
 
Sorry to double post, but after further digging I have found that it stalled on the flat section before the drop into the tunnel (where it cuts through the Streak) which has baffled me.

What has further baffled me is how is then managed to move itself round to the tunnel!
 
I have heard in the past that they pull and push it from the maze and steeplechase with a rope and a number of long pointy sticks, by a number of ride and maintenance staff.
Then they drag it up the last bit by winch.
Cheap and effective..
Last resort is a crane, which takes all night and costs thousands.
Allegedly.
 
Ah so that's why the spikes from the Log Flume station roof are stored under that exact piece of track!

What I can't see is how or why it would come off the helix and stall on that section of track. Unless it failed to make the brake run and rolled back up to that point...that might make a bit more sense.
 
Does anyone know what the park's obligation is in terms of maintaining the overpass?

Concrete projects from that era have had mixed fortunes. When that thing needs work that's a fairly large scale and costly chunk of civil engineering, especially when it inevitably has to be replaced.
 
Noticed some extra supports they'd added underneath the big dipper area of the overpass when I last visited. They'll have to keep it in someway due to the wallace and gromit ride and the rest of the shops but they'd have quite a bit of space to play with if the road was closed connecting onto the bowladrome area and the car park and planet rock.
 
Rick said:
Does anyone know what the park's obligation is in terms of maintaining the overpass?

Concrete projects from that era have had mixed fortunes. When that thing needs work that's a fairly large scale and costly chunk of civil engineering, especially when it inevitably has to be replaced.
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I have heard that the Overpass is on a long term lease covering several decades, and in that time it is BPB's responsibility. The whole construction of it looks like a nightmare however should either the council or BPB decides it needs knocking down or being completely rebuilt.

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I do, Rob. After all, knowing is half the battle.

Regarding the overpass, I don't think there's anything on there that would be missed, just a few shops and catering outlets? Though obviously, having to rebuilt it would be a nightmare for getting round the park. Plus a few (crap) rides have their entrance off it.

I'll bet when it was originally constructed, it only took about a fortnight to build. These days it's be a three year major job, requiring the whole park to be closed.
 
DiogoJ42 said:
I do, Rob. After all, knowing is half the battle.

Regarding the overpass, I don't think there's anything on there that would be missed, just a few shops and catering outlets? Though obviously, having to rebuilt it would be a nightmare for getting round the park. Plus a few (crap) rides have their entrance off it.

I'll bet when it was originally constructed, it only took about a fortnight to build. These days it's be a three year major job, requiring the whole park to be closed.
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You're not far wrong. It would actually improve the whole area if the Millennium Dome was removed along with the Grand Prix, creating some prime space for a new investment or a HB kiosk. Take your pick...

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I can't remember it, but Watson Rd was nearly my first road accident, ran from the Ice Drome to the Rollercoaster, back in the day, without looking, aged about three or four.
I recall vague memories of square white bollards at the road edge.
Regarding the overpass, I think it went in as the same concrete pouring for the log flume lake and flume supports, around the time that the sand pit kids playground went.
Showing my age again aren't I.
The concrete gets checked every year.
New vertical beams went in this year, and there were issues with the ramp at the top of coasters as well.
Would be much better if it did get pulled down, the only issues would be my beloved Mme Crevettes, and the w&g entrance, everything else is disposable.
 
Tim said:
The Wild Mouse Lives!... sort of...

It’s been added to Planet Coaster in the latest free update.

I can’t yet find a picture but there are several videos of it and it looks great!

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I don’t normally watch simulation type vids but that was pretty cool. Part of the fear factor of those 90 degree turns was the fact that you were hurtling towards a brick wall though, the ride looks odd there just plonked on the grass !
 
At a rough guess I would say about half an hour, we are getting into school trip peak now.
Better going for the last few hours if you can...most groups are gone by four.
Will be popping in around three this afternoon, so I will report back.
 
So, we are well into July, Icon has been open for some weeks now, and I have great enjoyment in saying so far BPB have been playing a blinder this year. The park isn't as busy as I would have hoped, but the operation's I have witnessed are as close to excellent as you are going to get. Icon on 3 does make that line shift. The reappearance of the Streak''s second train has given me a slight hope that BPB haven't given up on it, and the park in general looks great, and the feedback from the public reflects that. On Saturday the park suffered a power cut and recovered really well, with only the Big One and Valhalla suffering extended downtime, and Valhalla was still running after 10.30 to make up for it. The weather was great, the atmosphere with the combination of late night closing, fireworks, football and everyone really enjoying themselves was electric by night. We were stood near the Big Dipper with a beer in hand, listening to Vindaloo blasting out at two minutes to ten, watching the Streak still running behind the Rev and Avalanche, and both Emma and I felt really proud of BPB, something I haven't felt for years.

The park deserve the positive vibe it had last weekend, and it's great to see it back up at the top of the tree. I am certainly not over the loss of the Wild Mouse, and it does still have a hole in North park, but I am slowly getting some confidence back in BPB. I may not agree with everything they do, but they are certainly moving in a favourable direction!

I honestly hope Merlin sort themselves out soon, we have some great parks in this country, and it's no fun for anyone when they aren't being run correctly (been there felt the pain) maybe BPB will prove to them just why they have to look after people going forward!
 
To follow on from my post above Frontier have uploaded a special video about the Wild Mouse and why it had to be “preserved” in the game!

 
I may well be in the minority here (bracing myself for the criticism!) but I don't personally feel that BPB are doing brilliantly this year.

There have of course been some improvements; operations seem to be getting better, and Icon's are sublime - however, The Big One's have been slack at times and Big Dipper has been on one train multiple times with queues that warrant two. Merchandise has improved hugely, especially Icon's which is fantastic.

I have however experienced a number of instances of poor customer service, such as the park closing 2 hours earlier than the advertised time, miscommunication regarding use of the info desk for season pass holders (including having to queue 45 minutes at the ticket centre), and the East/Arena exit (through to the car park) being closed upon the point of exiting the park.

Another issue is the park's headline coaster closing an hour early on their late night riding events, I feel that having Icon open until 10pm should have been the first priority.

I believe Nick Land (including Streak) still closes at 6pm as standard on a 7pm close?

Furthermore, the price rises both in wristbands and parking must be taken into consideration when reviewing the improvements, IMO. A rise from £32.50 to £39 is pretty hefty considering the park isn't actually offering any more rides compared with last year, and therefore the improvements are in line with this.

Of course, the biggest issue I have with BPB is the lack of a certain rodent-themed ride, and handling of the closure. Despite Icon being great and the park making some improvements, my perception of those in charge and their complacency towards guests has been tarnished by this.

I fully agree that in terms of overall enjoyment, 9 times out of 10 BPB are well ahead of any Merlin parks. But just because they are better than Merlin, it doesn't mean they are where they should be.


In short I feel that whilst some departments of BPB are really good (ride staff, maintenance etc) they let themselves down on very basic customer service and communication issues which simply should not arise in an organisation as well-established as BPB.
 
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