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Talbot Street Lock In
- Thread starter Squiggs
- Start date
Squiggs
TS Team
We can't pass 1983 without mentioning the Space Boat - an almost mythical attraction that operated at the Towers for less than a single season before being replaced by the Octopus.
Whilst it may only have had a brief time at the Towers, the ride still operates today as the Black Pearl at Lightwater Valley.
Did you manage to ride this short lived attraction whilst it was in the park? Or maybe in its current home?
Whilst it may only have had a brief time at the Towers, the ride still operates today as the Black Pearl at Lightwater Valley.
Did you manage to ride this short lived attraction whilst it was in the park? Or maybe in its current home?
That is amazing footage. I see that video is dated as 1984, are we safe to presume this is incorrect?
What exactly were the circumstances of Space Boat's rapid departure? I know planning permission was sought and declined but that wasn't usually such an immediate issue for Broome.
Also, what's with the dude at the top of the Log Flume's big drop?
I believe that is the *exact* same one, Bembom took it with him to Loudoun Castle then sold it Lightwater Valley when that park closed down.
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AT86
TS Member
This one I do remember.
The staff member would handout a ticket with a photo number on to every boat. Then if you wanted your photo you could buy it and have it posted to you.
Mattie boy
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Shamballa
I am right in assuming that this is the same boat ride that had a few seasons at my local park ( Pleasurewood Hills ) where it was called the tempest. It arrived in 1990 and left at the end of the 1994 season for Loudoun I believe ? As a few of their other rides also went to Loudoun which included the carousel
Squiggs
TS Team
I don't believe that one is the same ride. It was certainly the same type of ride, but the popular theory is that the Loudoun model was moved from Dreamland by the Bembon Brothers.
It seems like there might have been at least three of these 'Traum Boots' in the UK all of which switched parks several times during the 80s and 90s, so trying to work out which is which gets a bit tricky. Based on the ride's artwork my belief is that the Alton Towers Space Boat was the one that became the Mary Rose at Dreamland, then on to Loudoun and now Lightwater Valley.
I think we're safe to say that date is incorrect, though it is an awesome video. I reckon it was the episode of Wish You Were Here it is taken from was aired in 1984 but using the park's 1983 film reel.
Interestingly, according to the Staffordshire Moorlands Council, the Space Boat actually did receive planning permission, so it really is a mystery as to why it departed. It still seems likely that height was the issue but it doesn't seem like the park were forced to remove it.
Squiggs
TS Team
1984 saw one of the largest expansions in the park's history with the addition of nine new attractions over the course of the season.
The park opened with five new thrill rides - the Enterprise, Wave Swinger, Turbo Star, Magic Carpet and Octopus - as well as the much-loved Black Hole.
During the season, these were also joined the classic attractions that were the Mississippi Showboat and 1001 Night.
If the park were to add another wave of thrill attractions, what rides would you like to see come to the park?
The park opened with five new thrill rides - the Enterprise, Wave Swinger, Turbo Star, Magic Carpet and Octopus - as well as the much-loved Black Hole.
During the season, these were also joined the classic attractions that were the Mississippi Showboat and 1001 Night.
If the park were to add another wave of thrill attractions, what rides would you like to see come to the park?
pluk
TS Member
Ah man, I rode that thing sooo many times. The first time riding with my little sister my mum watching from the ground had a proper breakdown she was so terrified for us. When it held you at the top my sister's handkerchief fell from her pocket and fluttered to the ground, that was it, mum fell to the floor wailing and stayed there till a while after we got off. I found it hilarious, obviously.
Never realised it did time at Towers, nevert got to ride it there.
Poisson
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- The Giant Squid
Was it not the pirate ship that opened at Trentham Gardens prior to relocating to Towers for 1980? I was under the impression it is actually a couple of years older than the theme park itself.
Squiggs
TS Team
1984 heralded the arrival of the Black Hole in Fantasy World.
Interestingly, the original marketing and souvenirs for the ride featured a stylised version of the Corkscrew's train. It wasn't until the ride was transformed into Black Hole II in 1988 that the marketing was updated to include the ride's actual train design.
Interestingly, the original marketing and souvenirs for the ride featured a stylised version of the Corkscrew's train. It wasn't until the ride was transformed into Black Hole II in 1988 that the marketing was updated to include the ride's actual train design.
Squiggs
TS Team
I'm not sure TBH. I have heard that rumour but I have never seen anything that would back up the idea.
I'm sceptical because the Pirate Ship opened at Alton Towers the year before I think John Broome acquired Trentham Gardens, so the link between the parks did not yet exist.
John
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
...to be located in Dark Forest & called Vine Twist.
It was a good idea 5+ years ago and it's still a good idea now.
Squiggs
TS Team
It's Rando Wednesday once again and this time we're jumping back to the 1920s and taking to the air with some images from Britain from Above, showing the estate during the time when it switched hands from the Earls of Shrewsbury to a private company who first opened the leisure park.
Squiggs
TS Team
Between 1985 and 1987 Sunflower Books produced official and rather comprehensive guidebooks for the park.
Unlike the normal park maps these guidebooks included a detailed plan of the park to help navigate guests. This 1985 plan features the new additions that season - the Ferris Wheel and 4 Man Bob - both of which had been relocated from nearby Trentham Gardens.
Unlike the normal park maps these guidebooks included a detailed plan of the park to help navigate guests. This 1985 plan features the new additions that season - the Ferris Wheel and 4 Man Bob - both of which had been relocated from nearby Trentham Gardens.
Squiggs
TS Team
Was the Ferris wheel on the site of the CCL Skyride station? Never knew that. Every days a school day
Yup, it was there for one season and then moved the following year to make way for the Skyride. For its second theatre it was located roughly where the Thirteen Shop is now.