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THE VIRGINIA REEL GALLERY
Photographs: Nick Laister, Phil Gould, Ian Beech, Gary Radice, Les Tomkinson
Gallery: Added 2008

To accompany our article on Pleasure Beach Blackpool's Virginia Reel, The End of the Reel, we present this gallery of photographs of the ride through the years, including the ride's demolition.


Photograph: Nick Laister Collection/www.joylandbooks.com
An early view of the Reel.


Photograph: Nick Laister Collection/www.joylandbooks.com
In this later view, the Reel is joined by the Fun House and Grand National.

 

 



Photograph: Phil Gould
The Reel in 1980, a few short years before its demolition.
 


Photograph: Ian Beech
The view from the top of the Virginia Reel lift hill.
 


Photograph: Ian Beech
The top of the Reel.


Photograph: Ian Beech
Demolition of the Virginia Reel in 1982.

 

 



Photograph: Ian Beech
Demolition well underway at the top of the ride.
 


Photograph: Ian Beech
Close-up of the demolition work.
 


Photograph: Ian Beech
A view across the partly demolished Virginia Reel towards the Hiram Maxim Flying Machine and Ghost Train.

 

 



Photograph: Ian Beech
Most of the track had been removed when this photograph was taken. Note the 'Hardluck Bears Show' behind.


Photograph: Ian Beech
The sad sight of the remains of the Virginia Reel. The Reel isn't the only lost Blackpool landmark in this photograph. In the distant background can be seen Blackpool's former Open Air Swimming Pool, which is now the Sandcastle Waterworld. And to the very right of the photograph, just in view, is the former Gables Balmoral Hotel, which was demolished in 2008.
 


Photograph: Ian Beech
The Enterprise ride can be seen behind the partially demolished Virginia Reel.
 


Photograph: Ian Beech
Mechanical parts of the Reel following its demolition.
 


Photograph: Ian Beech
The main lift hill pulley after the lift hill structure was removed.

 

 



Photograph: Ian Beech
A view of the main Virginia Reel slope after all the track was removed.


Photograph: Ian Beech
The end of an era - a view across the remains of the Reel towards the Noah's Ark on a wet winter's day in 1982.
 


Photograph: themagiceye
The Virginia Reel at Luna Park, Coney Island (USA).
 


Photograph: themagiceye
The Virginia Reel at Venice, California.
 


Photograph: themagiceye
Comic postcard featuring Blackpool's Virginia Reel.
 


Photograph: Les Tomkinson Collection
Blackpool Pleasure Beach was not the only British amusement park to feature a Virginia Reel. There was also a similar Reel at the Spanish City Amusement Park at Whitley Bay near Newcastle.
 
More on Blackpool's Virginia Reel
The End of the Reel: Article on the final days of Blackpool Pleasure Beach's Virginia Reel
Reeltime Memories: Interview with the daughters of the Virginia Reel's inventor

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