ashtonrick said:
OMG! Where to even start. I've seen a lot of those before in my researches, but there are some that really have sparked comments I have to put down.
Before I start, it's worth studying these old photos if you're interested and see the common things in certain time periods. The sheer number of Figure 8's, the Jack and Jill slides, Flying Machines and the wonderful array of themed Scenic Railways.
ashtonrick said:
That's another of those Figure 8's. I keep looking at photos of them and I can't work out if they are all three tier, or if there were sometimes two tier. I tried making one on RCT and the three tier was cumbersome and never quite looked right, but the two tier didn't work :lol:
Anyway, the fun...
Folkestone - Switchback Railway by trainsandstuff, on FlickrI love this photo and it inspired me to recreate it. I love the way it shows the ride just on the sandy beach. I love the massive, slightly over the top station. I love the perspective of the Switchback heading off into the distance. I just love the snapshot of time - the dawn of roller coaster history. I love imagining these spattered across famous beaches across the country. I just think it's a perfect capture of that period of time.
My version:
See, I love that time period and this photo really confuses me:
Blackpool Pleasure Beach - River Caves by trainsandstuff, on FlickrI know that the River Caves changed, but this just isn't Blackpool at all. If you look at old photos with the Flying Machines in place, even when it's sitting on a beach with the wooden board walks, you can kind of equate it to where it is now. Same with Big Dipper in its original design sitting against the sea.
This photo even makes sense:
Blackpool Pleasure Beach by trainsandstuff, on FlickrThis is taken from the right of Noah's Ark I think, where the arcade sits now. The Scenic and Rainbow wheel are roughly where Grand Nation/Wild Mouse are now.
The modern River Caves are behind the Rainbow Wheel (you can see the fantastic mountainous fascia), but I don't think it correlates with the layout that is hinted at in the first photo. It's really odd. To the left in that first photo though I think is the Bicycle Railway. It was already getting busy down there.
The second image shows the start of the "corridor" at the now shore edge of the park. I can't find the image any more, but I once dug out a superb, horrific, photo of that in the 20's/30's. It was all massive moulded figures looming over the walkways, gypsy stalls and billions of people all crammed in.
Both photos show such a great view of a Blackpool we could almost recognise...
This photo though I do recognise:
Blackpool Pleasure Beach by trainsandstuff, on FlickrThis is almost the view I most remember from my childhood. The giant clown holding the wheel/s, the open expanse at the entrance. Pretty sure I even remember the Whip when it was there! Takes me back the animatronic bear show and the way the monorail used to go through a crap hanging "small world" type of ride in the Casino building :lol:
Next is a good memory:
Butlins Pwllheli - Starcoast World by trainsandstuff, on FlickrI went to Butlins Pwllheli around 1981 and remember the fair, but no coasters. Great holiday, one of those that lives with you.
Several years later we camped near Pwllheli and visited Star Coast World (as it was suddenly known) and spent all day on the fair and in the "new" water park (it was brand new back then). I rode the Boomerang several times - I thought it was the best thing ever. How we learn as we get older
Anyway, it's why I have a soft spot for Boomerangs. there was very little in the way of inverting coasters back then (I'd been on Corkscrew, Revolution and Looping Star by that time), but the thrill of the Boomerang drop, the confusing cobra roll and then that anticipation before going backwards was fab.
I clearly remember it being the first coaster where I actively sought out different seats to see what a different experience the ride could offer across the train. It's also clear what a difference it makes too
Finally, another keen memory of mine. This is "my" Alton Towers:
Alton Towers (old postcard) by trainsandstuff, on FlickrWe used to spend all day at that part of the park. Not because it was the best part, but because of the queues!
Look at that line! It's either for the Pirate Ship, or the Cine 2000. I think it's for the Pirate Ship though. You would lose hours in queues and get maybe four rides done in a day - which would be just that corner of the park. You were treated like cattle and all for just 50p a day (or whatever it was, pretty sure it was 50p)!!! I've never understood how they survived and built. Why did people return? It's a mastery of marketing.
