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| A train being launched along the ride's first launch. | |||||||||||
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| Manufacturer | Mack Rides | ||||||||||
| Builder | RCS GmbH | ||||||||||
| Type | Steel - Launched | ||||||||||
| Model / product | Launch Coaster (Custom) | ||||||||||
| Riders per train | 16 | ||||||||||
| Propulsion | Two LSM launches | ||||||||||
Height88.5 feet
Drop82 feet Top speed52.8 mph Length3,750 feet Inversions2 Duration2:41 G-force4.3 g
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Icon is a steel launched roller coaster located at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK. It has two launches and is the first multi-launch coaster in the United Kingdom, as well as the first to use electromagnetic technology for the launch. The tagline is "Dare To Ride".
History[edit | edit source]
Icon was first hinted towards in August 2015, when a sticker on the back of Nick Thompson's car with Project 2017 on it was sighted, referring to a major project in 2017. The attraction was later announced for 2018 despite this.
In early 2016, the Tom Sawyer Bridge was demolished in order to make way for the ride.
The ride was eventually announced on September 28, 2016 at the Mack Rides factory. The coaster was codenamed Construction MMXVIII throughout its early development. On April 11, 2017, Construction MMXVIII's actual name was announced as Icon, with the tagline Dare to Ride.[1]
In November, track for the ride began to arrive at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Later that month, the ride went vertical.[2]
The final piece of track was installed on February 14, 2018. Testing began on March 12, 2018 by testing the ride's LSM launches, and it completed a full circuit the following day.
Amanda Thompson suggested that the ride was due to open in May 2018, which turned out to be the case, as on April 19, 2018, the opening was announced to be on May 25, 2018.[3]
The ride first opened to VIP Boarding Pass holders on May 19, 2018, however it did not open to the general public until May 25.
Design[edit | edit source]
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Icon is a double launch coaster by Mack Rides. The coaster dives underneath the lift hill of The Big One as well as passing underneath Steeplechase and Big Dipper.
The station track doubles as a sliding transfer track, all of which is enclosed. The track is painted light grey while the supports are dark grey.
Theme[edit | edit source]
Icon lacks a prominent theme however the ride area, entrance and station building have a Japanese-inspired aesthetic. The ride has its own soundtrack which is played in the station and around the ride area.
Trains[edit | edit source]
3 trains with 4 cars per train. In each car, riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 16 riders per train. The trains have overhead lap-bar restraints. The back row seats are slightly larger and thus able to accommodate larger riders. This is why the back row has a larger height restriction of 150cm (59in/4ft11in), as opposed to the 130cm (51in/4ft3in) height restriction that the rest of the train has.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
The ride's Immelmann under construction.
A foggy construction photo of the ride taken in December 2017.
References[edit | edit source]
| Roller coasters at Blackpool Pleasure Beach | |||||||||
| Present | Avalanche • Big Dipper • Big One • Blue Flyer • Grand National • Icon • Infusion • Nickelodeon Streak • Revolution • Steeplechase | ||||||||
| Former | Big Apple • Circus Clown • Cyclone • Scenic Railway • Space Invader 2 • Switchback • Tokaydo Express • Velvet Coaster • Virginia Reel • Wild Mouse | ||||||||