Small claim to fame *RIP RollerCoaster*

[Forbidden]

I agree Ash.

If its all for a big joke, then they must of been rehearsing it with every staff member on park for a few weeks.

[Spike]

It just makes no sense The ride takes up no real valuable space not like the Dipper and were not talking about it running for three years after work unlike Vikinger were talking of it closing the same season after major work has been done and as far as I'm aware is still under going.

Thew reason Vikinger was ditch was the fact that A.) It wasn't making money and B.) The area was needed as a service area because the car park behind the Nash was re-done removing the building where stuff was stored.

I just cannot see why on earth they would remove this ride.

[AstroDan]

I can't see this going either! PBB would have announced it earlier. It has too much history behind it for it just to go.

[jonathan leake]

[quote=""Ash84""]

Its not a bad ride, how did you find out that they are closing it?

I had heard on the grape vine about a week ago, but wasn't convinced. However, one of the op'sasked an enthusiast to take a picture of him beside the rides brake leavers, also when the last train was loaded all 4 op's (yes 4, I've never known as many on the RollerCoaster!) came onto the platform and said congratulations, you are the last ever riders. We had a bit of a natter, then off we went.

A few people were actually crying on the steps leading to the ride, (and a couple more weren't too far off!) reminded me of when the Log Flume closed in 2006.

Wasnt Rollercoaster once called Velvet im pretty sure it was this ones. Its just i know my mates grandad or great grandad used to work on a coaster called Velvet that im sure was at PBB

The RollerCoaster was born out of the remains of the Velvet coaster (which opened in 1909) in the earily 1930's Bond St (road running around the back of the park) was re-routed, meaning the Velvet Coaster, Scenic Railway and Water Chute had to be removed. The Railway closed, and the Grand National was built on its site. The entire Velvet Coaster was removed, appart from the lift hill, this was used as a starting point for the RollerCoaster and is the last serviving section of the Velvet Coaster. RollerCoaster opened in 1932.

Ash[/quote]

Thanks very much for this info. Do you know anywhere i can get a picture of Velvet. I know it quite a long time ago but their must be one somewhere

[Ash84]

Please bare with me, I've just finished work, and I'm back before 7am and need my beatie sleep, however I'll have a look around after I finish tomza. If I havn't replied by 8-9pm, pm me to remind me, odds are I'll have forgoten! I'm sure I'll be able to lay my hands on one.

Ash

[Rob L]

I hope Rollercoaster isn't going, it's a good ride and one of the oldest coasters in the park, I don't think they'd get rid of a coaster this old without saying something. Also I can't see much point in removing it, it doesn't take up that much space and the space it does take up isn't ideal for building a new ride on.

[Ash84]

I dont appear to have any pics of the Velvet Coaster to hand, however the layout of the ride was basically a 2-level '0' shape.

If you imagine the present RollerCoaster lift, with the station at the bottem (meaning no 180 degree turn leading to it) at the top, a wide 180 turn to the right followed by a series of gentle dips. Another 180 degre turn to the right brought the track down to the right of the lift, this section featured a couple of big (for the time) drops . The second layor or track followed the first but at a lower level and of corse faster.

Remember that at the time of the Velvet Coaster, no under-track friction wheels existed, so the drops couldn't have been as steep as the RollerCoaster.

The turn at the top of the lift would be where the road is today at the back of the park, hence the ride was closed when the road was re-routed. RollerCoaster originally was a side friction coaster too, I dont know when it was upgraded to include under track friction wheels. In its earlier years, the return bend (now in the tunnle) actually cut through the structure of the first drop and the lift, which is why the 1st drop isn't as big as the others.

Ash

---- Post Info Added ----

Sorry to double-post, but thanks to a friend and a great gallery over at the PBBGuide I've managed to find 2 pics of the Velvet coaster.

[url=http://www.tbppbguideforums.info/bpb/al ... pic_id=492" target="_blank]http://www.tbppbguideforums.info/bpb/al ... pic_id=492[/url]
Shows the station and the lift, which still stands today.

[url=http://www.tbppbguideforums.info/bpb/al ... pic_id=494" target="_blank]http://www.tbppbguideforums.info/bpb/al ... pic_id=494[/url]
Shows the overall layout of the ride.

Hope that helps.

Ash

[Sam]

New information guys.

From the PBB Wikipedia page.

[quote=""Wikipedia""]Mass Investment

In 2008 several more rides have been announced for closure in the 2009 season. Rollercoaster, Space Invader 2 and Avalanche are all expected to be removed from the park when the park re-opens on Valentine's day. Suzanne Edwards, a marketing director for the park released a statement on Thursday 6th November (06.11.08) in the Blackpool Gazette stating 'There are going to be some big changes for Pleasure Beach this and next year. We are saying goodbye to some classic rides but we're looking into something new and something even better. Currently we are working on a water show. Its going to be spectacular.' The park has been speculated over its meetings with an Italian coaster firm, however rumors have been quickly denied by park officials. According to the Pleasure Beach Bebo and Facebook 'Pleasure Bot' admin, the former 'Velvet' coaster (now Rollercoaster) was closed on November 2nd 2008 and is expected for removal in late spring. The group also formulated that 'Avalanche' and 'Space Invader 2' coasters were due to close in early spring after the park confirmed cleared space for a new ride/attraction for the 2010 season was in operation. The 'pleasure beach' enthusiast group reported 'Pleasure Beach made it clear that Space Invader and Rollercoaster were going. They neither confirmed or denied that Avalanche was going but a source from Pleasure Beach said the space was wanted and Avalanche was deffinatley on the tables for removal. Its been a rumour for a long while, and now it looks set to go ahead.'

ITV news issued a report on 11.11.08 about the closure of Rollercoaster and the possibility of 'Space Invader 2' being removed in time for Summer 2009.

The park issued an official announcement today on their Facebook. 'Last Chance To Ride Avalanche.' From April 2009 Avalanche will no longer be operating. This has now been announced by Pleasurebeach LTD. Take advantage of our Fun Weekends and don't forget to ride this classic ride. The announcement is expected to be presented on the official park website by 15.11.08 ([url=http://www.pleasurebeachblackpool.com" target="_blank]http://www.pleasurebeachblackpool.com[/url])[/quote]

But Sam I hear you shout, Wikipedia is not to be trusted!

Well here is some info from their "official" Bebo page. Read into this what you will.

[quote=""Bebo""]WE REGRET TO ANNOUNCE
From November 2nd (02.11.08) Rollercoaster will no longer be operating. Thankyou to Maureen, Simone, Janet, Lawrence, David, Lee and co. the last ever riders on Rollercoaster. The pictures are on the plaque inside the North Entrance Ticket Sales. If you have any inquiries about the closure of this classic ride then please call our hotline and select 1# [/quote]

[quote=""Bebo""]Last Chance To Ride Avalanche!
From April 2009 Avalanche will no longer be operating. This has now been announced by Pleasurebeach LTD. Take advantage of our Fun Weekends and don't forget to ride this classic ride. [/quote]

Looks official enough to me...

[url=http://www.bebo.com/BPBblog" target="_blank]http://www.bebo.com/BPBblog[/url]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

[jonathan leake]

Dam i never got to ride avalanche

By the way im a bit on an plank. What Italin coaster companys i know the name of some companys like B&M and such aand such but what Italian ones are their i know they have denied it but it could still be true. I once got heard that they wanted to bulid the pepsi max bigger one which would be the worlds tallest roller coaster and that would require the removel of Spave invaders.

Also looking on google earth they all look to spaced out to the area of one ride. I mean Irn Bru revo is right between roller coaster and avalanche. this should be an intresting one to watch

[caffeine_demon]

[quote=""ShootTheCore""]New information guys.
Looks official enough to me...

[url=http://www.bebo.com/BPBblog" target="_blank]http://www.bebo.com/BPBblog[/url]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.[/quote]

Hmmmm - why would PBB get a blog on bebo, when they already have one linked on their main website?


and why would they have these entries, without a link to an official press release statement?


And why would they advertise to "ride avalanche during their fun weekends!", when it isnt open during the windter weekends?

oooh - and why give a last chance to ride avalanche, but not the other 2?

[Spike]

Wow, how to advertise closure of 3 major rides, Bebo, Facebook and Wiki lol

I still don't believe any of it until I read an official statement from the park, sorry, it's all to cloak and dagger and I have found nothing to back up the claim a statement was released in the gazette last Thursday, there is nothing on the web site.

---- Post Info Added ----

I have just read that Rollercoaster has been testing and may even open for Winter Weekends along side Big Dipper.

[furie]

All the Wiki, Bebo and Facebook stuff is made up.

The Wiki article is written by the same guy who possibly made the Blog on Bebo (it has a menu image 'borrowed' off the Pleasure Beach Guide) - the same guy who has been perpetuating rubbish rumours about PBB for a long time.

Absolutely nothing in any of the rumours, it's just a wind up.

I spent about two hours chasing down all these rumours and facts this morning. Absolutely none of them have any evidence anywhere. They all seem to lead back to one person making stuff up for some reason. The Wiki information about Pleasure Beach being sold was created by the same person too.

As those who frequent the PBguide will know, chances are the closure was a staff joke in the first place. I don't think there are ANY plans to remove any rides over the closed season of 2009.

[Spike]

I have said many times the staff wind them up but many do still believe what's said to them is actual fact. One of these days the PB will do something huge again (post Amanada running it) and people won't believe it untill the footers go in.

[caffeine_demon]

it looks as if the wiki section above may be him too,...

[Kaycee]

This is pure fantasy.

Rollercoaster is not being removed for the 2009 season. Therefore, this topic is going nowhere. A park like Blackpool is not going to 'officially announce' the removal of one of their oldest rides through channels such as Bebo and Facebook - channels which could allow for absolutely anyone to pose as the park. Bit suspect to me, I think!