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Blackpool Pleasure Beach: General Discussion

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Mr Pearse said:
it is grade 2 listed so they can’t remove it along side the flying machines,Big Dipper, grand national and blue flyer. They are all listed structures so can’t be demolished
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It was SBNO for several years before it became listed.

My guess is they either...

A) Thought it looked good as part of the entrance

or

B) Didn't want a backlash by demolishing it - although to be fair that doesn't usually bother them - so probably 'A' ;)

It is possible to demolish listed structures but they would need a good reason and permission before doing it, so the Ark could get still demolished one day.
 
shakey said:
It was SBNO for several years before it became listed.

My guess is they either...

A) Thought it looked good as part of the entrance

or

B) Didn't want a backlash by demolishing it - although to be fair that doesn't usually bother them - so probably 'A' ;)

It is possible to demolish listed structures but they would need a good reason and permission before doing it, so the Ark could get still demolished one day.
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if my memory serves me right. I don’t think it was the pleasure beach who applied for the listings. The plan was to demolish the ark and have a new entrance and then it got listed. So obviously they could try and demolish it in the future but they would need an amazing reason too.
 
shakey said:
It was SBNO for several years before it became listed.

My guess is they either...

A) Thought it looked good as part of the entrance

or

B) Didn't want a backlash by demolishing it - although to be fair that doesn't usually bother them - so probably 'A' ;)

It is possible to demolish listed structures but they would need a good reason and permission before doing it, so the Ark could get still demolished one day.
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Fair enough as the park do like demolishing their unique attractions!
 
Over the years, I’ve heard in multiple places that Blackpool Pleasure Beach was planning to build some sort of huge launch coaster planned to be the world’s tallest (nicknamed The Bigger One) in the mid-2000s, but the project was scrapped following Geoffrey Thompson’s death. Was any info ever released about this, or was it just rumours? I’d be quite interested to know what sort of ride it would have been; I’ve heard some places suggest that it was to be an Intamin Accelerator Coaster like Top Thrill Dragster, while I’ve heard other places suggest a launched S&S 4D coaster!
 
Matt N said:
Over the years, I’ve heard in multiple places that Blackpool Pleasure Beach was planning to build some sort of huge launch coaster planned to be the world’s tallest (nicknamed The Bigger One) in the mid-2000s, but the project was scrapped following Geoffrey Thompson’s death. Was any info ever released about this, or was it just rumours? I’d be quite interested to know what sort of ride it would have been; I’ve heard some places suggest that it was to be an Intamin Accelerator Coaster like Top Thrill Dragster, while I’ve heard other places suggest a launched S&S 4D coaster!
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I think the best way to describe The Bigger One is a mix of mostly well sourced rumour, some leaks and a little fan created hyperbole.
 
The 'model' (I use that word loosely) that we were shown at an enthusiast event back in the day was more akin to Top Thrill Dragster than anything from S&S.

I think it's fair to say it was more of a concept or idea, than it was a plan.
 
Matt...a fun thing to do next time you are in Blackpool.
On the prom at the end of Watson Road, are three clear circles in the footpath brickwork.
Some geeks still know they are the footers for the launch megacoaster.
It got pulled due to costs, but the footers are already there.
Just waiting.
Possibly/allegedly.
 
Benjsh said:
A TTD / Kingda Ka clone wouldn't work with the high winds in Blackpool.

They'd never have afforded it even if it was possible either.
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Surely the way the Intamin launch system calculates the required power to get the train over the top hat on a luanch-by-launch basis means they'd be able to counter that variable effectively?

But yeah, the money doesn't exist, and it's a pretty old fashioned concept now.
 
rob666 said:
Matt...a fun thing to do next time you are in Blackpool.
On the prom at the end of Watson Road, are three clear circles in the footpath brickwork.
Some geeks still know they are the footers for the launch megacoaster.
It got pulled due to costs, but the footers are already there.
Just waiting.
Possibly/allegedly.
Click to expand...
Were Blackpool going to use land outside of the park then? I’ll have to look out for those when I’m next in Blackpool; thanks for the recommendation @rob666!
 
WillPS said:
Surely the way the Intamin launch system calculates the required power to get the train over the top hat on a luanch-by-launch basis means they'd be able to counter that variable effectively?

But yeah, the money doesn't exist, and it's a pretty old fashioned concept now.
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Exactly this. Intamin hydraulic launches calculate launch power, on the fly, for each and every launch individually. Based on current conditions picked up by sensors and the power used for the last few launches, time the train took to complete the circuit last time ect. If the train makes it to the brakes too quickly, either from a heavier train, too much power or whatever other variables such as weather, the launch power is reduced for the next launch. If the train then either enters the brakes after a slightly longer time, or fails completely, the power is increased. Basically doing the opposite as mentioned above. The ride is basically always trying to reach an equilibrium with the multitude of external variables that can effect the speed. The equilibrium being an exact time down to the millisecond, that the ride aims to have the train enter the brakes from the moment of launch. It is clever technology to be fair.

So even if there may have been a few more failed launches than normal. Due too the seaside. A hydraulic launch would still have worked for this reason. I am pretty sure modern LSM coasters use the same technology now. But back in the early 2000's, it was bespoke to Intamin hydraulics only.

You have to remember, Top Thrill Dragster, the second tallest Intamin hydraulic, is on a peninsula, with open space and open water in more directions than Blackpool. That ride would be subject to similar, if not worse weather conditions (such as wind) than a similar ride at Blackpool would be.
 
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Matt N said:
Were Blackpool going to use land outside of the park then? I’ll have to look out for those when I’m next in Blackpool; thanks for the recommendation @rob666!
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No Matt.
The patterns are just a coincidence, but they fed what was never more than a rumour.
The silly question was, on the overpass, or under it on Watson Rd itself?
Never let the truth get in the way of a good tale.
 
rob666 said:
No Matt.
The patterns are just a coincidence, but they fed what was never more than a rumour.
The silly question was, on the overpass, or under it on Watson Rd itself?
Never let the truth get in the way of a good tale.
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Quite apart from anything else, the alignment of the circles is 180 degrees round from what they should be if they were for a Kingda Ka clone.
 
I’m not sure anyone has ever been able to explain what else those three circles are for. They’re the only ones on that stretch of promenade and they don’t really make sense a bases for supports - it seems strange that they are just decorative.
 
There were plans for further artworks venny.
Money ran out for phase two, then some plinth (circus) artworks being stolen put the lid on it.
Followed the "greatest show on earth" prom artworks closely at the time.
Swimmers legs perspective, tide organ and "they shoot horses dont they" (glitterball) are my favourites.
Edit...Great Promenade Show even
 
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