Rocket (Southport Pleasureland)

Roller coaster in the United Kingdom
Watch the on-ride POV
The Rocket
Rocket in 2022
Southport Pleasureland
Location Southport, Merseyside, England, UK
Status Operating since 5 June 2021
Gulliver's World
Name Crazy Train
Location Warrington, Cheshire, England, UK
Operated 2015 to 15 September 2018
Codona's Amusement Park
Name Crazy Train
Location Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
Operated 2003 to 2014
Replaced by Dead Man's Drop Tower
Statistics
Manufacturer Pinfari
Product Mini Mega Coaster MM29
Type Steel
Hourly capacity 700
Propulsion Chain lift hill
Area 29 metres × 17 metres
Height 9.2 metres
Top speed 39.6 km/h
Length 233 metres
Inversions 0
Duration 0:53
G-Force 2.2
HELP

The Rocket is a steel roller coaster currently located at Southport Pleasureland in Southport, Merseyside, England, UK. The ride was one of four known Mini Mega Coaster MM29 units produced, one of Pinfari's last designs before going out of business.

History

Crazy Train in 2014

The coaster first opened in 2003 at Codona's Amusement Park in Aberdeen, Scotland. It operated until 2014, and was subsequently transported to Gulliver's Warrington. It reopened the following year. The spot where it once stood at Codona's is now occupied by the Dead Man's Drop Tower and a children's play park. At Gulliver's, the Crazy Train operated until an incident on 15 September 2018, after which it remained closed and was eventually dismantled. It has since been sent to Southport Pleasureland where it opened in 2021.

Theme

At Codona's and Gulliver's, Crazy Train was painted purple with yellow supports. Prior to opening at Southport Pleasureland, it was repainted red with grey supports.

Single train with 6 cars. In each car, riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows, except for the front car which has a single row, for a total of 22 riders per train. Unlike other Mini Mega Coaster MM29 roller coasters, the Crazy Train has a minecart themed train.

Incident

On 15 September 2018, a wheel assembly became detached, causing the train to stall. No injuries were sustained and all passengers were evacuated by fire crews within approximately two hours.[1] The ride did not operate following the incident and was ultimately dismantled the following year. Another Mini Mega Coaster, Python at Gulliver's Land, was also closed following the incident.

Images

References

  1. "Gulliver's World: 21 trapped on rollercoaster". BBC News.

External links

  • Rocket on the Roller Coaster DataBase.