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Blackpool Pleasure Beach: General Discussion

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Think the National had pull lap bars by the mid seventies.
That was first.
Remember a soldier in uniform climb over the bull bar cage front of the national as it went round the first hairpin, and face backwards round the rest of the circuit until the last bend.
I would have been about ten.
Scared me more than it scared him!
 
The other coaster trains have definitely been replaced over time. If you take a look at some older pictures you’ll see there being a grate to the front of the trains, not dissimilar to GCI trains.

National ran with four cars per train in the 90s for capacity. The trains were more akin to Big Dipper’s, although didn’t have restraints up until I think maybe the 80s. There are some great stories of how people secured themselves into National prior to the restraints being fitted.

Kumbak installed the new sensor and computer systems, which have never properly worked. The new trains are heavier, which many blame for damaging the track and leading to the rougher ride.
 
* Dead rodent alert *
Things gone from the north park in my time on the Beach.
The Maze.
Fun House.
Speedboats.
Water Chute/Vikingar.
Double big wheel.
Cableway.
Fodi's Fun House.
Bingo!
Billiard Stall.
Darts Stall.
Calypso.(Flat)
Whip.
Tagada.
Haunted Hotel.
Bazooka guns (!).
Dodgems/Superbowl.
American cafe. (Now we are talking...taken out late sixties, now ticket office)
Amusement arcade (by grass by National winning post).
Monster.
Hard Luck Bears Show.
Wonderful World Show.
Monorail.
Rainbow. (Flat)
Ranger.(Flat)
Wild Mouse.
Oh, and I still weep for the Reel.
 
rob666 said:
* Dead rodent alert *
Things gone from the north park in my time on the Beach.
The Maze.
Fun House.
Speedboats.
Water Chute/Vikingar.
Double big wheel.
Cableway.
Fodi's Fun House.
Bingo!
Billiard Stall.
Darts Stall.
Calypso.(Flat)
Whip.
Tagada.
Haunted Hotel.
Bazooka guns (!).
Dodgems/Superbowl.
American cafe. (Now we are talking...taken out late sixties, now ticket office)
Amusement arcade (by grass by National winning post).
Monster.
Hard Luck Bears Show.
Wonderful World Show.
Monorail.
Rainbow. (Flat)
Ranger.(Flat)
Wild Mouse.
Oh, and I still weep for the Reel.
Click to expand...
You missed Noah's Ark


Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
 
+ Planetarium
+ Astroswirl/MB
+ Tidal Wave
+ Beach Cafe
+ Magnolia Cafe

(couldn't see those)
 
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Think you can still by old rollercoaster/nick streak trains on the pleasure beach website. They were switched around 2008 I believe. Those trains however have definitely improved the ride experience.

The old cars used to run with no restraints whatsoever however seat belts were retrofitted onto them in the mid 2000s.
 
@rob666 @Rick holy cow, the nerds are out in force today. And I thought I was a BPB geek !

You did both forget the Cyclone coaster that predated Avalanche though! And of course Log Flume though both South Park. I still miss Log Flume. And the Morecambe one. And Camelot. Been on some awesome ones in Florida, a real shame the lack of traditional flumes over here, I mean ones that get you slightly wet, not requiring a full change of shoes & clothes like Valhalla
 
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Emberton’s (and its spiky glass roof)
Bowl-a-Drome
Rib Shack Cafe
Big One BBQ

How far back are we going? There’s always the Scenic Railway...
 
...Velvet Coaster, Rainbow Wheel, that massive dome that housed naval battle re-enactments...
 
Yeah, didn't get all the catering in!
They are all in my living memory, and just on north park.
.
.
.
Now let us all join hands in a moment of quiet prayer and dedication...
Lord, get Dippy off a walk on Mako, and get him home before the big wind blows.
It is his round in Crevettes.
 
rob666 said:
Yeah, didn't get all the catering in!
They are all in my living memory, and just on north park.
.
.
.
Now let us all join hands in a moment of quiet prayer and dedication...
Lord, get Dippy off a walk on Mako, and get him home before the big wind blows.
It is his round in Crevettes.
Click to expand...

Just arrived in London. 2 cancelled flights, no sleep, clock jumped forward 5 hours, and a drive back up North. Still, just got out before hurricane hit. Happy days!
 
Watson Rd overpass needs urgent repairs and more surveys...road closed underneath for two weeks...which will mean 6 months probably.
Pull it down.
Extra ramp up to W&G, shift Turnpike station to the ground level, all sorted.
Getting rid of the road might be a bit trickier.
 
rob666 said:
Watson Rd overpass needs urgent repairs and more surveys...road closed underneath for two weeks...which will mean 6 months probably.
Pull it down.
Extra ramp up to W&G, shift Turnpike station to the ground level, all sorted.
Getting rid of the road might be a bit trickier.
Click to expand...

Would getting rid of the road be that tricky? They seem to have the power to shut it at will anyway. Every time there is something going on in the Arena, or simply because they feel like it. It’s always seemed like a totally pointless road to me.
 
The Council were always really insistent on keeping it open in years gone by, hence the reason it was eventually bridged over- the road became a safety hazard.

I don’t see any real reason for it to need to stay open, but the cost to BPB of relocating everything now on it, would mean it more expensive to remove it than just repair it.
 
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