Big Dipper (Pleasure Beach Blackpool)
| Big Dipper | |
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| The Big Dipper | |
| Location | Pleasure Beach Blackpool |
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| Park section | Star Beach Adventures |
| Coordinates | 53°47′21″N 3°03′25″W / 53.78917°N 3.05694°WCoordinates: 53°47′21″N 3°03′25″W / 53.78917°N 3.05694°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | 5th May 1923 |
| Cost | £25,000 (1922) |
| Type | Wood - Out and back |
| Manufacturer | William Strickler |
| Designer | John A. Miller |
| Model | Wooden Out and back coaster |
| Track layout | Out and back |
| Lift/launch system | Chain |
| Height | 60 ft (18 m) |
| Drop | 50 ft (15 m) |
| Length | 3,300 ft (1,000 m) |
| Max speed | 40 mph (64 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Duration | 2:28 |
| Max vertical angle | 46° |
| Max G force | 3.7 |
| Height restriction | 3 ft 10 in (117 cm) |
| Big Dipper at RCDB | |
| Pictures of Big Dipper at RCDB | |
 Amusement Parks Portal |
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Big Dipper is a wooden out and back roller coaster at Pleasure Beach Blackpool, Blackpool, England. The ride was first built in 1923 by John Miller but was extended in 1936 by Charlie Paige and Joe Emberton; adding arches over the south entrance of the park and additional drops.[1] The ride operates with two trains, each containing three four-bench cars, seating two people per bench.[1] The roller coaster is also referenced in the Jethro Tull song Big Dipper, from their 1976 album Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die!
In August 1998, Richard Rodriguez set a world record by riding the Big Dipper for over 1000 hours. There is a plaque commemorating this event in the ride's station. Although he doubled this mark two years later to 2000 hours,[2] Guinness World Records nullified the achievements by altering the rules in 2007 and Rodriguez's new record was set on the Pepsi Max Big One and Big Dipper and stands at 405 hours 40 minutes.[3]
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[edit] Accident
On August 11, 2009 - two trains, carrying a total of 32 guests, collided. This resulted in 21 guests requiring treatment at a nearby hospital for injuries ranging from whiplash and broken noses, to cuts and bruises.[4]
On June 5, 2010 - there was another incident with part of a train derailing. This occurred at the same point as the 2009 crash, however there were no injuries and the ride began operating again shortly afterwards.[5][6]
[edit] Refurbishment and Return
On February 13, 2010 - The Big Dipper returned after months of refurbishment resulting from the accident sustained in June 2009.[7] The iconic Big Dipper station received a £500,000 upgrade in time for the 2010 season. The refurbishment has been sympathetic to the original design of the ride station, which dates back to the 1930s. A new fountain has been added, the track was refurbished and the cars have been repainted dark blue with new panels fitted on the exterior using an arrow design.
[edit] Gallery
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View of part of the Big Dipper with Infusion behind it and the Pepsi Max Big One in the background.
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The 'Big Dipper' sign.
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The first drop.
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[edit] References
- ^ a b "Big Dipper (RCDB)". RCDB. http://www.rcdb.com/id790.htm. Retrieved 2008-04-15.
- ^ "Record breaking teacher on a roll". BBC News. 2000-09-07. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/914243.stm. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
- ^ {cite news |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/Search/Details/Longest-marathon-on-a-rollercoaster/57069.htm |title=Longest marathon on a roller coaster |accessdate=2011-08-01|publisher=Guinness World Records | date=2011-08-01}}
- ^ Malvern, Jack (2009-08-11). "Big Dipper accident leaves thrill-seekers injured". London: Times Online. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6792903.ece. Retrieved 2009-08-11.
- ^ "Reported incident on Big Dipper rollercoaster". Blackpool Aloud. 2010-06-05. http://blackpoolaloud.org.uk/2010/06/05/big-dipper-derailment/. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
- ^ "CoasterForce :: View topic - Big Dipper derailed". CoasterForce. 2010-06-05. http://www.coasterforce.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=28504&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
- ^ "The Big Dipper". Blackpool: Pleasure Beach Resort.com. 2010-03-06. http://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/rides/the-big-dipper/121/1/. Retrieved 2010-03-06.
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