The Lost Rides of Blackpool Page 3


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THE LOST RIDES OF BLACKPOOL (PAGE 3 OF 4) Photographs: Gary Radice, Phil Gould, Michael Smith, Ashley Stanworth Article: Added October 2006
Phil Gould	Ranger The Ranger (manufactured by Huss) seen here in all its glory at Blackpool next to the North Cableway station. The ride replaced The Virginia Reel in 1983 and was itself replaced by The Rainbow in 1987. These type of rides were rare in the UK.

themagiceye themagiceye	The Haunted Swing The "Original Nineteenth Century Simulator" is not totally lost of course today - it can still be found in the park as part of the Impossible attraction. However it has not been a stand alone attraction since 2001. The Haunted Swing was always one of the first attractions you saw (and heard) when entering the park from the North Entrance. The Haunted Swing remains a classic ride and - in themagiceye's opinion anyway - holds its own easily against some of the hi-tech rides of 2006. In 1999 the Blackpool management had added a Speech Bubble to the ghost advertising the ride (left). It read: "Please don't wait until next year to ride The Haunted Swing (Hex) at Alton Towers - Ride the original Haunted Swing at Blackpool Pleasure Beach now!" The very small writing underneath the words: "The Gravity of the Situation" below says: "This Nineteenth Century invention was revived here at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in 1955".

Phil Gould	Phantom Chase Sandwiched between the Grand National on the left and the Haunted Hotel on the right, the Phantom Chase ("A Cresta Run on speed") occupied this space for a few seasons in the early eighties. The cars swung wickedly high as they circumnavigated the tight circle. 'B' Ticket rides did not come much wilder than this..

Phil Gould	Paratrooper If themagiceye remembers correctly, the Pleasure Beach's South Park was awash with temporary, portable rides in the early eighties. According to the National Fairground Archive: A 10 car upright Paratrooper machine was built by Harry Steers for L. Silcock at Blackpool in 1981. The upright version survived for only a few months before re-emerging as a lifting version seen above.

www.fairart.co.uk / www.fairground-heritage.org.uk www.fairart.co.uk / www.fairground-heritage.org.uk	Ben Hur The images above and below of Huss's unique ride were taken in 1987 at the Pleasure Beach Blackpool. Ben Hur was an updated version of the popular fairground ride The Skid. Instead of pressing the usual pedal to get the cars to spin, riders pulled on a rope!
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