Big Dipper (Blackpool)

Infobox roller coaster
name=Big Dipper


caption=The sign on the side of the Big Dipper, somewhat obscured by the water fountains near the Infusion
location=Pleasure Beach Blackpool
section=Star Beach Adventures
type=Wood
type2=Twister
type3=Custom
status=Operating
opened=1923
manufacturer=William Strickler
designer=John A. Miller
model=Wooden Out and back coaster
track=Out and back
lift=Chain lift hill
height=60
drop=50
length=3300
speed=50
inversions=0
duration=2:28
angle=46
capacity=3 trains, 24 per train
cost=$23,000,000
acceleration=
gforce=3.7
restriction=46
rcdb_number=790 Big Dipper is a wooden roller coaster at Pleasure Beach Blackpool in Blackpool, England. The ride was first built in 1923 by John Miller. In 1936, Charlie Paige and Joe Emberton extended the ride, adding arches over the south entrance of the park and additional drops.cite web |url=http://www.rcdb.com/id790.htm |title=Big Dipper (RCDB) |accessdate=2008-04-15 |publisher=RCDB]

The ride operates with two trains, each containing three four-bench cars, seating two people per bench. The track follows an out-and-back layout.

In August 1998, Richard Rodriguez set a world record by riding the Big Dipper for over 1000 hours. There is a plaque commemorating this event in the ride's station. He returned in June 2000 to beat this record, spending 2000 hours on the rollercoaster. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/914243.stm |title=Record breaking teacher on a roll |accessdate=2008-04-10|publisher=BBC News]

References