Rock ‘n’ Roll Express is a Matterhorn built by French manufacturer Reverchon currently owned by UK showman Paul Hart.
History
The ride at Southport Pleausreland in 2011
The ride was built for Trusthouse Forte, the owners of Ocean Beach Fun Fair in Rhyl, and debuted in May 1980. It was one of the first Reverchon Matterhorns to feature in the UK, and arrived with the generic “Matterhorn” name and winter sports artwork. Later in the decade the ride lost its “Matterhorn” signage in favour of the name “On The Piste”, but still retaining the winter sports theme. During the early 1990s the ride received a re-theme to “Terminator” [1]. In 1997 ownership of the ride passed from First Leisure (previously Trusthouse Forte) to a new company called Rhyl Amusements, made-up of park tenants. The ride continued to operate on site up until the park’s closure on September 2nd, 2007. It was one of the first rides sold by the park following its closure, and passed to Paul Hart in November 2007.[2]
Soon after the “Terminator” was purchased by Paul Hart it was decorated and re-named the “Rock ‘n’ Roll Express”, complete with 1950s and 1960s Americana references and an Elvis figurine at the centre of the ride. As well as being a travelling showman in the North West of England, Paul Hart has also operated the ride at various amusement parks. From 2009 to 2013, the ride operated at Southport Pleasureland. The 2014 season was spent on loan at Billing Aquadrome in Northamptonshire. From 2016 to 2019 the ride was present on Blackpool Central Pier.[3]
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