Press Cutting – Grand National back on track (2004)

WEST LANCASHIRE EVENING GAZETTE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2004

Blackpool’s Grand National Is going to be more than a two-horse race thanks to some splendid new carriages from America.

The famous Pleasure Beach twin-track wooden rollercoaster which was damaged by fire in May, operated with just a couple of trains when it re-opened briefly before the end of the season.

But fun park boss Amanda Thompson has returned from America after signing up for new ones built in time for the arrival of the 2005 white-knuckle revellers.

The new trains, each carrying 18 passengers will replace the existing carriages - made by the same company, Philadelphia Toboggan - which were damaged in the fire that ravaged the ride station and part of the track.

Mrs Thompson, managing director said “The restoration has taken longer than we anticipated but it was important that we restored the Grand National to its former glory and recreated the original design by Joseph Emberton, to the last detail. We have now signed a deal for four new trains with the original supplier. This completes what has been a painstaking job for many of our staff and I would like to thank them for their hard work and attention to detail to bring this £1.5m project to a successful conclusion.”

Philadelphia Toboggan president Tom Rebbie said: “Our company is delighted to have been selected again to replace the trains”.