Pepsi Max Big One
| Big One | |
|---|---|
The Big One
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| Blackpool Pleasure Beach | |
| Coordinates | 53°47′21″N 3°03′19″W / 53.78917°N 3.05528°WCoordinates: 53°47′21″N 3°03′19″W / 53.78917°N 3.05528°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | May 28, 1994 |
| Cost | £12,000,000 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel |
| Manufacturer | Arrow Dynamics |
| Designer | Ron Toomer |
| Model | Hyper Coaster |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
| Height | 213 ft (65 m) |
| Drop | 205 ft (62 m) |
| Length | 5,497 ft (1,675 m) |
| Speed | 74 mph (119 km/h) |
| Duration | 3:00 |
| Max vertical angle | 65° |
| Capacity | 1700 riders per hour |
| G-force | 3.5 |
| Height restriction | 52 in (132 cm) |
| Trains | 3 trains with 5 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows for a total of 30 riders per train. |
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Big One at RCDB Pictures of Big One at RCDB |
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The Big One, formerly known as Pepsi Max Big One, is a steel roller coaster located at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in Blackpool, Lancashire in the United Kingdom.
The Big One was manufactured by Arrow Dynamics. Construction of the ride began in September 1993 and lasted just over seven months. The tubular track and supports were airlifted from Bolton to Blackpool and stored in nearby Blackpool Airport. During the start of the construction of the ride the south of Blackpool promenade was closed and pieces of the structure were stored on the road adjacent to the Pleasure Beach. The first pieces of the ride to be fitted were the large foundations that would follow on from the main supports. Once all the supports were fitted, the tubular track was fitted followed by additional supports on the turnaround and the mid course brake section. The ride opened to the public on 28 May 1994.
The ride is the second Megacoaster to be built by Arrow Dynamics, the first being Magnum XL-200 at Cedar Point. At its highest point the ride reaches 235 feet (72 m) above sea level, but only stands 213 feet (65 m) above the ground with the first drop measuring 205 feet (62 m). These numbers were later confirmed by Ron Toomer of Arrow Dynamics. The first drop has an incline angle of 65 degrees and the usual maximum speed for the ride is 74 miles per hour (119 km/h). The ride lasts approximately three minutes and during this time riders normally experience positive g-forces of up to 3.5g and negative g-forces of up to 0.5g. Blackpool Pleasure Beach advertises the ride as rising 235 feet (72 m), but that is above sea level and not the actual height of the ride.
The ride is capable of running three trains at any one time. Each train has five cars with six passengers to a car, enabling each train to carry thirty riders two-abreast in total. This gives Big One a capacity of 1800 people per hour. The colour scheme for each train is the same: a blue base with two coloured bands around the side and front (red and white) showing the union flag logo. Each train is numbered at the back of the fifth car, and each car is numbered according to the back of each section. During testing, sand bags are used to weigh the train down. This is a safety mechanism and is common practice on roller coasters of a certain height. Before the ride was granted a certificate to operate, Blackpool Pleasure Beach had to appeal to Blackpool Airport which is one mile from the park. Due to the ride's height, warning beacons had to be installed on the peaks of the first two hills, including the main drop, before the ride was given the all clear to operate.
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