Big Dipper (Luna Park Sydney)

The Big Dipper was a wooden roller coaster operating at Luna Park Sydney from 1935 until 1979. It was demolished in 1981.

Infobox roller coaster
name=Big Dipper


caption=
location=Luna Park Sydney
section=Glenwood Ave
type=Wood
status=Demolished in 1981
opened=1935
manufacturer=John Allen
designer=PTC
model=Wooden Coaster
track=Wood
lift=Chain
height=52
drop=100
length=2623
speed=58
inversions=None
duration=2:50
angle=45
capacity=1200 Riders Per Hour
cost=$30,000,000
acceleration=
rcdb_number=2314First constructed in 1930 to an American design, the wooden Big Dipper roller coaster was a mainstay of Luna Park Glenelg during its four years of operation. The ride was dismantled and shipped to Sydney when the Glenelg park went into voluntary liquidation in 1934, where it became the biggest attraction of the newly-opened Luna Park Milson's Point.

The ride was 800 metres long, lasted three minutes, could reach speeds of 84 km/h, and when all three roller coaster trains were operating, could carry 72 people.

The Big Dipper remained popular throughout its operating life. The coaster was demolished and burnt, along with most of the 'old' Luna Park, when Australian Amusements Associates took over the site on June 3, 1981. Two of the nine roller coaster cars were purchased at the auction before the demolition; one is on display within Luna Park today, while the other is part of the Powerhouse Museum collection. [cite web |url=http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=166790&search=Luna+Park&
Powerhouse Museum]

Incidents

On 26 April 1946, a 33-year-old man from New Caledonia was killed on the ride.Marshall (2005). Pg. 82] He disobeyed safety instructions by sitting on the edge of a train car, and was thrown from the ride on one of the corners and into a support pole.

On April 16 1979, 13 people were injured on the Big Dipper.Marshall (2005). Pgs. 108-109] A steel runner had come loose, halting one of the three rollercoaster trains. The following train rammed the stationary one, causing the injuries.

uccessor

In 1994, a steel roller coaster was installed at Luna Park, and was given the Big Dipper name. Legal action against the new roller coaster led to significant restrictions in its operational availability, contributed to the 1996 closure of Luna Park, and was sold to Dreamworld in 2001, where it currently operates as Cyclone.

References

*
* Historical information boards located at Luna Park Sydney