Big Dipper (Blackpool Pleasure Beach)

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Big Dipper
Big Dipper (Pleasure Beach, Blackpool) 02.jpg
Big Dipper
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
LocationBlackpool Pleasure Beach
Coordinates53°47′21″N 3°03′25″W / 53.78917°N 3.05694°W / 53.78917; -3.05694Coordinates: 53°47′21″N 3°03′25″W / 53.78917°N 3.05694°W / 53.78917; -3.05694
StatusOperating
Opening date23 August 1923
Cost£25,000 (1922)
General statistics
TypeWood – Out and back
Manufacturer
DesignerJohn A. Miller
ModelWooden Out and back coaster
Track layoutOut and back
Lift/launch systemChain
Height65 ft (20 m)
Drop50 ft (15 m)
Length3,300 ft (1,000 m)
Speed40 mph (64 km/h)
Inversions0
Duration2:28
Max vertical angle46°
G-force3.7
Height restriction46 in (117 cm)
Trains2 trains with 3 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 4 rows for a total of 24 riders per train.
Big Dipper at RCDB
Pictures of Big Dipper at RCDB

Big Dipper is a wooden out and back roller coaster at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, England. Originally built in 1923, it was extended in 1936 and was designated as a Grade II listed building on 19 April 2017.[1] It operates with two trains, each containing three four-bench cars, seating two people per bench.[2] After Scenic Railway, Big Dipper is the second-oldest in-use rollercoaster in Britain.[2]

History[]

Construction and expansion[]

The coaster was first built in 1923 by John Miller. It was extended in 1936 by American engineer Charles Paige (whose work at the Pleasure Beach is all that survives of the 13 wooden coasters he is known to have built) with arches over the south entrance of the park and additional drops. British architect Joseph Emberton designed the ride station.[2][3]

Refurbishment[]

On 13 February 2010, Big Dipper reopened after months of refurbishment following an incident in August 2009.[4] The 1935 station was upgraded in a sympathetic manner: the track was refurbished, a new fountain was added and the trains were repaired and repainted dark blue with new exterior panels with an arrow design similar to the 1990s design. The grab rails were replaced in 2014.

Ride Experience[]

Layout[]

Big Dipper is located at South Shore[5] and west of the southern half of Blackpool Pleasure Beach. It is oriented north-to-south, rises to a height of 65 feet[1] and spans 3,300 feet in length. One cycle of the ride takes approximately 2 minutes and 30 seconds.[2]

Characteristics[]

Manufacturer[]

Big Dipper was designed by John Miller at Krug Park, Nebraska in 1918 and built by William H. Strickler and Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc.[1][2][6] It cost £25,000 to construct.

Trains[]

Big Dipper operates two seating trains. Each train has three cars that seat two passengers across four rows, allowing a maximum capacity of 24 people per train.[2]

Track[]

The track is 3,300 feet long and the lift is approximately 65 feet high.[2][1] Big Dipper was the first of its generation to use new undertrack and side friction wheels to allow a steeper and faster design.[6]

Incidents[]

Main article: Incidents at European amusement parks
  • On 26 June 1975, part of the main lift hill and first drop were severely damaged by fire.[7]
  • On 11 August 2009, two trains carrying a total of 32 guests collided. 21 riders required hospital treatment for injuries ranging from whiplash and broken noses to cuts and bruises.[8][9]
  • On 5 June 2010, part of a train derailed. There were no injuries and the ride resumed operations a short time later.[10]

Records[]

In August 1998, Richard Rodriguez set a world record by riding Big Dipper for over 1,000 hours. There is a plaque commemorating this event in the ride's station. Although he doubled this mark two years later to 2,000 hours,[11] Guinness World Records nullified the achievements by altering the rules in 2007, and Rodriguez's new record was set on Big One and Big Dipper and stands at 405 hours 40 minutes.[12]

In popular culture[]

Big Dipper is referenced in the Jethro Tull song "Big Dipper", a track from the 1976 album Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die!.[13]

Gallery[]

  • View of part of Big Dipper with Infusion behind it and the Big One in the background.

  • The 'Big Dipper' sign.

  • The first drop.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d Historic England, "The Big Dipper (1436080)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 21 April 2017
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Big Dipper (RCDB)". RCDB. Archived from the original on 27 March 2008. Retrieved 15 April 2008.
  3. ^ Brodie, Allan; Bowdler, Roger (2017). "The designation of amusement parks and fairground rides in England". In Wood, Jason (ed.). The Amusement Park: History, Culture and the Heritage of Pleasure. New York: Routledge. p. 259. ISBN 9781472423726.
  4. ^ "The Big Dipper". Blackpool: Pleasure Beach Resort.com. 6 March 2010. Archived from the original on 3 September 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
  5. ^ Wood, Allan W. (2015). Blackpool : history tour. Stroud, Gloucestershire. ISBN 9781445646244. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  6. ^ a b Kane, Josephine (2013). The Architecture of Pleasure : British Amusement Parks 1900-1939. Farnham: Routledge. pp. 147–148. ISBN 978-1409410744. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  7. ^ "FIRE ON BIG DIPPER AT AMUSEMENT PARK IN BLACKPOOL". YouTube (video, 1 min). AP Archive. 23 July 2015 [26 June 1975]. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  8. ^ Malvern, Jack (11 August 2009). "Big Dipper accident leaves thrill-seekers injured". The Times. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
  9. ^ Wainwright, Martin (12 August 2009). "Police investigate Blackpool Big Dipper crash". The Guardian.
  10. ^ "Big Dipper derailed". CoasterForce. 5 June 2010. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2010.
  11. ^ "Record breaking teacher on a roll". BBC News. 7 September 2000. Retrieved 10 April 2008.
  12. ^ "Longest marathon on a roller coaster". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  13. ^ Wawzenek, Bryan. "The top 10 songs about theme parks". Theme Park Insider. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
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