Grand National (roller coaster)
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| Grand National | |
 Grand National's station |
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| Location | Pleasure Beach Blackpool |
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| Type | Wood - Racing |
| Status | Open |
| Opened | 1935 |
| Designer | Charles Paige |
| Model | Racing |
| Track layout | Moebius Loop |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift |
| Height | 62 ft (19 m) |
| Length | 3,302 ft (1,006 m) |
| Max speed | 40 mph (64 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Grand National at RCDB Pictures of Grand National at RCDB |
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The Grand National is a wooden racing coaster at Pleasure Beach, Blackpool. It is one of only three surviving Moebius Loop roller coasters in the world, and the only one in Europe.
Throughout the years, it has gone through many changes, including a fire that ravaged the station building in May 2004, which damaged trains and track near to the station.[1] This resulted in the ride closing for the majority of the year. New trains were installed in the 2006 season.
The Layout
Opened in 1935, it is named and themed after the horse race with the same name. Both trains climb the lift hill, pass under the 'They're Off' sign and the race begins. Elements of the ride are signposted and mimic features of the horse race. Both trains race each other over Becher's Brook, Valentine's, and Canal Turn before a final dash for the Winning Post. Groups of riders sometimes split up so that they may 'race' each other.
It stands at 62 feet high and 3300 feet long (making for a total track length of 6600 feet). It has an uneven number of turns, so one of the trains exiting from the station is slightly staggered. It is possible for riders on each side to slap hands with people on the opposite train.
[edit] References
- ^ Fire damages famous Blackpool ride. BBC Lancashire. Retrieved on 2008-04-10.
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