The Big One is located at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in North West England. Formerly known as the Pepsi Max Big One, this large steel roller coaster once held the record for being the tallest roller coaster in the world. Having held the record for a number of years, The Big One now stands as the second-tallest roller coaster in the UK after Hyperia at Thorpe Park.
The Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach
When The Big One opened to the public on 28 May 1994, it held the record of the tallest roller coaster in the world. It held this world record until July 1996, when Fujiyama opened at Fuji-Q Highland in Japan. At a height of 213ft (65m), it is one of the most prominent features on our tallest roller coasters in the UK listing. To really experience the jaw-dropping height of the ride, you can also take an escorted climb to the 235ft summit of the lift hill.
The Big One Statistics
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Top Speed – 119km/h 74mph
Original Cost – £12m
Est Cost Today – £25m
Length – 5497ft 1675m (Featured on our longest roller coasters in the UK listing)
Height – 213ft 65m
Manufacturer – Arrow Dynamics
Lift/Launch – Chain Lift
Type – Steel – Hyper Coaster
Inversions – 0
G-Force – 3.5
Trains – 3
Passengers per Train – 30
Ride Duration – 3m 0s
Theme Park – Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Year Opened – 1994
Attractions Near Me – Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Official Website
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Construction of The Big One
Designed by Ron Toomer and manufactured by Arrow Dynamics, The Big One’s construction began in 1992. The tubular track and supports were airlifted from Bolton to Blackpool and stored at nearby Blackpool Airport. When construction of the ride commenced, the south of Blackpool promenade was closed and pieces of the structure were stored on the road adjacent to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. The large foundations and main supports were initially constructed and once completed, the tubular track was fitted.
The Pepsi Max Big One
The roller coaster first opened as Pepsi Max Big One on 28 May 1994. When it debuted, it held the record for being both the tallest and steepest roller coaster in the world. The Big One’s height record was surpassed in July 1996 when Fujiyama opened in Japan, and it now sits just behind Hyperia as the second-highest layout on our tallest roller coasters in the UK tables. Following the 2011 season, the Pepsi Max branding was removed from the ride, however, a tunnel before the lift hill at the beginning of the ride remains in the shape of a Pepsi Max can.
Contractor uses 3D model to Retrack The Big One
After over 26 years in operation, sections of The Big One’s track needed to be rebuilt and refitted in order to give passengers a smoother ride experience. With Arrow Dynamics, the original manufacturer of The Big One no longer in business, Bolton-based Taziker Industrial were given the job of installing four new sections of steel track on The Big One at the end of the 2019 season. The refurbishment work involved removing the original sections of the track in November 2019, before the new sections were installed in February 2020. The firm used 3D models to manufacture the tracks at its fabrication facility in Manchester. The replacement sections of track were completed ahead of time and transferred to be painted in the red colour of the Big One, before being lifted into place in readiness for the 2020 season to commence.
Track replacement using the same process will continue to take place during the winter maintenance period in the coming years.
Top 10 Listings
The Big One is featured in a number of our Top 10 listings.
UK Roller Coaster Rides
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