The Big One (formerly Pepsi Max Big One) is a steel hypercoaster at Pleasure Beach Resort (better known as Blackpool Pleasure Beach) in Blackpool, England. Designed by Ron Toomer and manufactured by Arrow Dynamics, the ride opened to the public on 28 May 1994 as the tallest roller coaster in the world, featuring a height of 65 metres (213 ft). It held the title as the tallest until Fujiyama opened in 1996.

Construction of the ride cost £12 million. The ride was sponsored by Pepsi until 2011, at which time Pepsi Max was removed from the name.

History

Construction of The Big One began in 1992, headed by Arrow Dynamics with Ron Toomer as its lead designer. By the time it was completed, the total cost had reached £12 million. The tubular track and supports were airlifted from Bolton to Blackpool and stored at nearby Blackpool Airport before being brought to the park. At the beginning of the ride's construction, the south of Blackpool promenade was closed, and pieces of the structure were stored on the road adjacent to the park. The first pieces to be fitted were the large foundations that would follow on from the main supports. Once all the supports were installed, the track was added, followed by additional supports on the turnaround and the mid-course brake run.

The roller coaster opened as Pepsi Max Big One on 28 May 1994 as the tallest roller coaster in the world. Its height record was surpassed in 1996 by Fujiyama at Fuji-Q Highland in Japan. The Big One also featured one of the longest tracks in the world at the time, measuring over a mile in length at 1,675 metres (5,497 ft). The ride has top speeds of 119 km/h (74 mph), which at the time of opening ranked it second-fastest coaster in the world behind Steel Phantom at Kennywood.

In 2003, then-Formula One driver Ralph Firman rode the roller coaster with the cars replaced by a Jordan EJ11 chassis.

The ride maintained its sponsorship from Pepsi Max until 2011, when the branding was removed from the ride.

The Big One has been partially re-tracked across four closed seasons by British engineering firm Taziker. In the 2019-20 closed season, four sections of track were replaced in the section which passes through the lift hill. In 2020–21, a further 75 metres of track were replaced towards the end of the ride. In 2021-22, another 103 metres of track were replaced, from partway over Star Hill through nearby Big Dipper and into the mid-course brake run. A further 103 metres of track were replaced on dip four in 2022-23.

Characteristics

The ride reaches a height of 65 metres (213 ft) and has a first drop measuring 62 metres (205 ft). The first drop has a maximum vertical angle of 65 degrees, and the coaster reaches a maximum speed of 119km/h (74 mph). Riders experience positive g-forces of up to 3.5 Gs and negative g-forces of up to 0.5 Gs. Pleasure Beach Resort advertises the ride as 72 metres (235 ft) in height, but that is the height from sea level to the top of the ride, not the true height of the ride from ground level to lift hill peak.

thumb|left|upright=0.85|The 205-foot first drop in 1995

Each train has five cars that seat six passengers per car in three rows of two, for a total of 30 passengers per train.

References

  • Pleasure Beach Blackpool, The Big One Official Site