Big One Construction at Blackpool Pleasure Beach

A film documenting the idea and subsequent construction of the Biog One Roller Coaster at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
This Arrow Dynamics steel coaster opened to the public on 28th May 1994. It is 5497ft long, 213ft high and reaches 74mph. At the time it was the tallest roller coaster in the world.
This shows the original layout as the ride had a light re-profile (first drop and turnaround) in 1997.

[@smith9808]

That branding deal was probably the best 1 million money Pepsi ever spent. I still call it the Pepsi Max

[@thatsbigdave]

Went the day it opened back in 94 with me mum auntie and her boyfriend at the time. Waited for 5 hours to get on it.

[@toptiertrips]

My favourite coaster after ICON! A truly remarkable investment by Blackpool Pleasure Beach! I really hope this remains the tallest in the UK for a long time! Still brings loads of guests into the park to this day!

[@Yasin_2312]

_Hyperia joins the chat_

[@ffinianhe]

@@Yasin_2312For now…

[@EuroThemeParkArchive]

Brilliant bit of park history, reminds what a big feat it was to create the ride and the kind of big vision it took! Very interesting to learn more about its construction.

[@DanteEsGrande]

It will always be known as the Pepsi Max to me.

[@GottaGoOrlando]

Agree this name will never change 🙂

[@cienna6052]

Yep

[@blank-dr2kx]

Same

[@blank-dr2kx]

It's the Pepsi max

[@gparker2007]

@@blank-dr2kx it’s just the big one now bc they their sponsorship ended

[@stephmulliner1184]

I remember watching some of it be built whilst I was on holiday at Blackpool with my mum and nana. Brings back memories

[@manc_random]

Favourite coaster in the UK!

[@Grittie504]

I’ve beeen on it and I’m 9 and it’s so good

[@rgmusicom]

“In the world of roller coasters, the finest are designed in America”. That has aged well.

[@Yasin_2312]

But that’s true though. The US in no doubts have the best coasters. Mainly due to their innovations

[@rgmusicom]

@@Yasin_2312 B&M is Swiss. Mack is German. Intamin is Swiss. I’m not saying America doesn’t have great manufacturers but the world leaders are not from USA.

[@walkersmith947]

If you visit Blackpool its a must to go on the roller coaster

[@scrapydan3251]

I went there in August told myself yeah I'm doing it the I seen the size and thought maybe next time 😂

[@walkersmith947]

@@scrapydan3251 I remember when I saw Pepsi Max from a distance, thought to myself doesent look to bad but once I got to pleasure beach I about shit myself. Didn't hesitate to go on but once at the top I could see all of Blackpool and thought this could be a bad move, it was fun and a bit of a bone shaker

[@scrapydan3251]

@@walkersmith947 well im going back in a few weeks so maybe I'll find the bravery to do it haha

[@Adzcantsing]

Went 3 times last year and was never opened strong winds.

[@christofsmanlib1385]

Hey there fellow riders. Living not too far away, I went one evening to the BPB, to see the Hot Ice Show. Following the show it was pitch black and just 15 mins before the park closing time, so me and my mate ran (and i mean ran) for the Big One. Visitor numbers were very quiet at this time, and we got straight on. Up the hill we climbed, and with just the black night sky in view. Arriving at the top of the big climb, before our big drop, against a pure black sea and sky was a view I'll never forget, vivid colourful illuminations as far as the eye can see. Then just seconds later, weeeeeeee!!!! Hells bells, what a thrill !!! Round the ride we went, whizzing through areas of pitch black then bright lights, whilst thoroughly enjoying every climb and stonach raising drop, even the bone shaking helix towards the end. Arriving back at the station, "AGAIN AGAIN" we bellowed (not expecting it for a second), but with no visitors queueing, AGAIN WE DID, YEYYYYY !!!! Round we go again, not believing I'm about to get another opportunity to experience that amazing view, aswell as the thrill of the ride. Back to the station we arrive, thoroughly wow'd as to what we've just experienced, we stopped on for the tripple, WOWWWWW!!! SADLY ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END, and due to closing time, on our 3rd and final return that's exactly what happened. A TRUELY GREAT TIME I'LL ALWAYS REMEMBER. WHAT A GREAT RIDE, THANKS BPB 😀

[@kkrispy2009P]

A great documentation thanks blackpool rocks and big one

[@emmajohnson9269]

I have been on the big one. So interesting knowing how it was made

[@Happyfaceshock]

I think this came from a VHS called ‘1994: Year of the Rollercoaster’. It featured Nemesis, The Ultimate, maybe another I can’t remember. My dad showed it to me when I was a kid and I ended up watching it quite religiously, absorbing more and more details about rollercoasters. When I was that age (probs about 9) I was obsessed with Blackpool Pleasure Beach. We lived quite a way away and if I was really well behaved we could go once a year and I have joyous memories of going on this trips with my dad (actually joyous memories of going on loads of roller coasters!) Not really as into them now, it’s a shame, I used to really love it

[@visionist7]

Never too late to get back into it. Lots of new coasters about now

[@johnvega6325]

Crazy 26 years on this is still the biggest coaster in the UK.

[@blank-dr2kx]

I know, I think we are due a new competitor, it's a shame Alton towers won't be able to do it unless they dig a giant hole

[@dylanjb4065]

UK should get a Giga coaster

[@defenestration5008]

Well sir that may be topped with thorpe parks project exodus due to come out in 2024 The big one will be the second biggest one

[@Yasin_2312]

@@blank-dr2kxyou forgot about Thorpe Park

[@paulbell2877]

This is how it was in kit form when I blasted and painted it in Ashton-under-Lyne Aries metal

[@Lyca31]

I remember watching bits of it get built.

[@fcukugimmeausername]

Watching? Why didn't you help?

[@simonpringle6599]

Worked at pontins just outside Blackpool the Same year it was constructed

[@XtremeCoasters]

That was an interesting watch :) It's a shame so many modifications have had to be made to the layout over the years. The original drop was always the best.

[@dawnsherratt2317]

What changed about the drop?

[@ACERASPIRE1]

@@dawnsherratt2317 its not as droppy now LOL

[@dawnsherratt2317]

Lmao thanks xx

[@XtremeCoasters]

@@dawnsherratt2317 It was taken down and totally profiled.

[@dawnsherratt2317]

@@XtremeCoasters thanks, I was curious because I went on it when it was new but haven't gotten around to going on it again since. I prefer the icon if I'm having to queue for ages. I'm definitely going to go on it this year tho

[@skymatthew2924]

3:07 First time seeing a *Leftie* in engineering videos 🙃 Who's a leftie!

[@alexmacleod3728]

Sky Matthew me

[@dontask6220]

My uncle helped build this.

[@michaelmoran9020]

Oh yeah brought into being by the CEO who said "I want a big roller coaster", nothing to do with the engineers or construction workers who actually accomplished it

[@fdhdd102]

Interesting that the track and supports were made in Britain from British steel. I would've assumed it was made in the US and shipped over.

[@Yasin_2312]

Britain had a large Steel industry up until the 2000s

[@Nolololol]

U have to do on it it’s sooooo fun I’m 9 i’ve been on it

[@Mini-wd7qz]

The Pepsi max honestly isn’t that old it was only made in 1994

[@askjeevescosby2928]

I don't get why they didn't have vekoma retrack this ride instead they have some company that has never built coaster track before. Since vekoma has the rights to build arrow track they could have kept the same track but reprofile it to be glass smooth. But honestly I'm just extremely happy that they are taking care of this beautiful piece of American engineering from a bygone Era. I know cedar point won't save magnum they will just push it over. They have no respect for landmark coasters they just care about money. Cedar fair sucks.

[@jarlfced]

you can see the big one from where i live and i live in barrow (if anyone knows where that is) lol

[@JohnSmith-uq4zp]

I remember the Muncher eating Barrow in Furness Bus Depot before trying Chewits

[@463PR]

What was the light re profile of the first drop in 1997

[@RidesandRambling]

Why does this feel like a really sinister public service announcement lol... I just keep waiting for him to say something like "If someone should die while in your fallout shelter..."

[@blank-dr2kx]

Hahaha

[@Paolo8772]

Steel Phantom, (now Phantom's revenge) actually had a bigger drop (220') and it's older. Big one only has a drop of 205' and it only goes 80 MPH; not 85. 235' is above sea level. Where else does anyone measure their coasters sights that way that way? Drop is more important anyway!

[@Paolo8772]

@DDS Software Says Whom? Drop is the measure of the biggest drop.

[@leannerobson3998]

Amazing !

[@koristewart4729]

I always dare to ride

[@Houtarou_Hyouka_Unforgiven]

It's unbeatable All the roller coaster taller than it: u Sure about that?

[@Yasin_2312]

In their defence, it was the tallest in 1994

[@Houtarou_Hyouka_Unforgiven]

@@Yasin_2312 that's right

[@Benutzername123]

Dated even in 94... only 6 years later millenium force was erected. A time diference like 2016 to 2022.

[@callumdean]

It'll always be one I never go on 🤣🤣

[@wilsonleighton]

im not going on it i will shit my pants

[@DawsonsMemes]

If you dare Now it’s Icon dare to ride

[@FUNFAIRLIFE-io3il]

Chris greener has now died

[@nicklowe536]

The track.and sections were. Test built at the middle.brook centre where Bolton wanders play now. As a. Civil engineering student I.was lucky enough to watch it being assembled at Horwich and have a talk from Watsons.design team. Amazing project

[@iantaylor817]

Great video/ amazing to see how much work was put in. But it’s quite crap really. The first drop is awesome. After that the whole ride is garbage

[@MrSnookerballs]

WOW. opened in 1994 and you post this now. WHY.

[@DiRtYLaWs2007]

MrSnookerballs It recently celebrated it’s 25th birthday, so why not?

[@steventhompson2511]

That was May of last year not recently. It's 2020 now you know..

[@matthewsouthwell9653]

First