UK thrill-seekers can enjoy one of Europe’s oldest and most unique rollercoasters all over again after Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach Resort confirmed its 90 year-old Grand National ride will re-open next month. The 62-ft high Grand National is Europe’s only twin-track racing coaster, with two racing trains leaving the art deco station at the same time, on a half-twist ‘Mobius loop’ track before a race to the finish.
Opened in 1935, the Grade II-listed wooden rollercoaster is currently undergoing a face-lift prompting anxious online speculation among ride fans that it could be closed – or moved off site. But instead Pleasure Beach Resort have announced it will reopen ahead of the Lancashire resort’s traditional packed Scottish school holidays at the end of June.
The ongoing work involves replacing sections of the track, installing a new drive sprocket, replacing parts of the pull up chain, and some repainting.
The Pleasure Beach say that due to the ride’s national heritage, maintenance must be carried out by a specialist team which takes extra time.
The work has been delivered by Pleasure Beach’s own engineers, who have been simultaneously working on the re-imagining of Launch Pad, which opens today on May 7th.
Amanda Thompson, CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort, said: “The wonderful thing about Pleasure Beach is that we have a unique blend of old and new.
“We’re home to some industry-leading, modern coasters like ICON, as well as nostalgic fan favourites such as Grand National.
“We know Grand National has created wonderful memories over the years, and we’re thrilled to be able to announce that she will re-open June.”
Blackpool has seen a resurgence in recent years with huge investment in the Lancashire seaside resort.
In April the Daily Express revealed the popular seaside resort may soon house two of the UK’s newest daredevil rides – with one a 253ft-high stomach-churning spinning ‘starflyer’.
The Starflyer and 39ft-high Log Flume, over mini-lake, would be open from April to October every year by South Pier if approved.
The Blackpool Pier Company said both rides would financially help to support all three of the north-west England resort’s Victorian-era piers – North, South and Central.
In March Blackpool Council unveiled the first phase of the welcome £90m Government funding plan to demolish about 400 properties no longer fit for purpose and replace them with up to 280 bigger new homes.
Weeks later, new visitor numbers for the resort revealed a soaring rise in tourists, with data for 2023 showing it attracted 21.5m tourists – a 6% increase compared to 2022’s figure of 20.3m.
It comes after the town’s famous Pleasure Beach Resort hit back at disappointment at the closure of five of their rides – after £2.7m pre-tax losses in their latest annual report – by stressing they were investing in new “bigger and better” rides.
Grand National was designed by Charles Paige in 1935, and the art deco-inspired ride station was designed by Joseph Emberton who also designed the Casino Building.
There is a total of 6,604 ft of track, the maximum height of the ride is 62ft, the carts travel at a maximum of 45mph, the ride lasts three minutes, and the capacity is 720 riders/hour.
* Guests can book tickets to ride Grand National at www.pleasurebeachresort.com, and secure the best deals by booking in advance.