Happy Birthday, Big Dipper !

Not been on this for a very very long time but it was definitely the “coaster” to ride in those days and still is.The Big One is amazing but as a ” Blackpool Boy “riding this is still the best….especially when you round that first drop.
 
bleach51 said:
Not been on this for a very very long time but it was definitely the “coaster” to ride in those days and still is.The Big One is amazing but as a ” Blackpool Boy “riding this is still the best….especially when you round that first drop.
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Eerm
The Grand National
 
A joke that didn't pass the local church sensor for an 8yo mini.....

Went to the pleasure beach last night

Did you go on the big one?

Nah, gave her a miss.
 
I worked on it for a season - 1979. A lovely old lady. The steel coasters are fun but the old woodies have a soul. Going for a test run first thing in the morning with only me on it, it's like she struggles to get round - not quite awake yet. But the, get a full train in the afternoon and she belts round, daring the operators to stop her as she sprints back into the station.
 
Great to know Big Dipper is 100!
Can't beat the Grand National for me though. Sitting at the back letting go of the handle, jumping miles in the air, unbelievable! Same with the mouse, amazing experience hurtling round those corners! Health and safety wouldn't allow it these days, but great memories of my 70s youth.
 
1966_and_all_that said:
I worked on it for a season - 1979. A lovely old lady. The steel coasters are fun but the old woodies have a soul. Going for a test run first thing in the morning with only me on it, it's like she struggles to get round - not quite awake yet. But the, get a full train in the afternoon and she belts round, daring the operators to stop her as she sprints back into the station.
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Was Big Mick still the chargehand?
I was on its little brother, the Roller Coaster, the year before. Our Scots chargehand Bill, a stocky bloke, was good mates with Mick (and with Little Ted, driver of the PB Express).
Bill got me walking the track with him on a few mornings, checking for faults. No harnesses, no hi-viz or safety boots, just with a bucket of bolts and some hand tools. I quickly learned not to look too far down !
 
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Toastrack said:
Was Big Mick still the chargehand?
I was on its little brother, the Roller Coaster, the year before. Our Scots chargehand Bill, a stocky bloke, was good mates with Mick (and with Little Ted, driver of the PB Express).
Bill got me walking the track with him on a few mornings, checking for faults. No harnesses, no hi-viz or safety boots, just with a bucket of bolts and some hand tools. I quickly learned not to look too far down !
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Big Mick was the charge hand when I started but after a couple of weeks he got caught returning late off a break and that was the last I saw of him. I remember Bill off the Coaster. One day when there was only me and two other newbies running the Dipper he was asked to keep an eye on us. I liked the Coaster. You didn't get clattered about like you did on the Dipper and (especially) the National.
 
Grand national for me as the classic wooden rollercoaster. So many PB memories, funhouse revolution and the mini motorbikes under the
rev.👍
 
Toastrack said:
Was Big Mick still the chargehand?
I was on its little brother, the Roller Coaster, the year before. Our Scots chargehand Bill, a stocky bloke, was good mates with Mick (and with Little Ted, driver of the PB Express).
Bill got me walking the track with him on a few mornings, checking for faults. No harnesses, no hi-viz or safety boots, just with a bucket of bolts and some hand tools. I quickly learned not to look too far down !
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I also worked on the PB in 1979 on the autoscooters (dodgems). Remember another Scots manager called Dennis. Extremely scarry looking & would be first in if any trouble flared. Took a liking to me 💋 and one of the reasons I departed 😁
 
Good report on it on the ITV national news last night. I have only been on it once, in 1967. I was 8 at the time and my grandmother (who was 70) took me and my sister on it, whilst my mum was at home giving birth to my younger brother. Good job my mum didn't take us on it as she could have popped him out on the first dip!
 
1966_and_all_that said:
Dennis Moore. I think he ended up in prison.
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Do you know why he ended up in prison, seem to remember something to do with a younger male in a changing room, reason to bring this thread up is he’s working for a friend and I’ve mentioned he’s a wrrong un but I can’t find the news article to back my story up, this board is the only thing that comes up in the search
 
Keglersuper said:
Do you know why he ended up in prison, seem to remember something to do with a younger male in a changing room, reason to bring this thread up is he’s working for a friend and I’ve mentioned he’s a wrrong un but I can’t find the news article to back my story up, this board is the only thing that comes up in the search
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Sorry, I don't know. I thought it was because of a fight but I could easily be wrong.
 
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