Grand National

Grand National General [[File:|link=|center]] ' ' Park Pleasure Beach Blackpool Location Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK Status Operating Operated Operated 1935 - Opened 1935 Opening Cost Height restriction 4 ft Statistics Manufacturer Builder Charles Paige Designer Type Wooden- Racing Type Model Möbius Loop Riders per train Riders per hour Lift/launch system Height feet Drop feet Top speed mph Length 3,302 feet Dimensions feet x feet Duration 2:20 Inversions 0 Steepest drop 39° Maximum g-force 3G

Grand National is a wooden roller coaster at Pleasure Beach Blackpool in Blackpool, England. It was designed and constructed by Charles Paige. Grand National opened in 1935, replacing the Scenic Railway. It is the only Möbius Loop roller coaster in the UK, and one of only 5 in the world.

History

The Grand National opened in 1935. At the time it was the biggest roller coaster at the park. The ride was built by Charles Paige, and the station was designed by Joseph Emberton, an architect of many Pleasure Beach buildings during the 1920s and 30s.

In the early 1990s, Andy Hine, the chairman of the Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain, was married on the ride. A plaque with his name is installed on one of the trains.

On 20 May 2004, an electrical fault in the lighting system of the roof of the station caused a fire which destroyed the entire station and both the trains, aswell as damaging two nearby rides. The station was rebuilt and new trains were installed. The ride re-opened on 28 October 2004 after repairs were completed.

At the start of 2010 Pleasure Beach staff said that due to an electrical fault the ride had, it would not run for some time. However it was running again in July 2010.

Due to the roughness of the ride, a sign was erected In the 2018 season stating that all riders must be clear of any health problems and be fit and well enough to ride.

Theming

The Grand National is themed and named after the horse race of the same name. The trains climb the lift hill and pass under the 'They're Off' sign and race through 'Becher's Brook', 'Valentine's' and 'Canal Turn' before returning to the 'Winning Post'.

Trivia

• As of April 2016, the Pleasure Beach website incorrectly describes the Grand National as a "twin-track" coaster. It is actually a Möbius Loop (that is, single-track) coaster.

Photo Gallery