I love this old, end of victorian period engineering... its as beautiful as it is sturdy... built by true craftsmen, who clearly took a lot pride in their work... they didn't have to build the wheels and the cogs like that, or paint up the lever beams with such detail... nobody even really sees them, but it's all part of what makes these rides so special
My Grandad was an electrician on BPB from 1923 until his retirement. He took me on Noahs ark and I was terrified! Mum took me regularly to BPB, but I remember early spring when it opened and they test ran the big dipper and us local kids could get free rides (it had a sphere instead of an onion those days) My school Thames road primary, is overshadowed by the Grand National. and now my son enjoys the rides and maybe one day his children and who knows from there? I feel a deep connection and would have loved to have worked there. Thank you for a wonderful series, behind the scenes and bringing back lots of memories for me
Absolutely loved this series of videos, brought back memories of being a youngster in the 70’s and holidaying at Blackpool, 2 weeks in July and a week in September for the lights. Thank you for bringing the memories back to life. Fabulous 😁
Your videos are always a fascinating treat, but here you've surpassed yourself. The contrasting of the vintage footage with the present day was incredible. I love that you meet people who are so wonderfully proud of the places that they work and care for. AND you shared your windy muff with us, which was an added bonus. Can't wait to see where you go next.
Thanks for such an interesting series pal. I'll have to make a point of going next year just to try out the older rides again. The Big one, you can keep that for the younger folks :D
This vlog is the reason I subscribe, you show us the things that can’t be seen easily, explain how things work/worked and take us back to how it was. Thank you, a really good finale to this mini series! Can’t wait for your next release……
Great series Darren, well presented. I remember going around Noah's Ark, trying to climb dark stairs inside while it was rocking. There was a handrail which gave you an electric shock if you touched it. Not sure H&S would allow any of this now.
There is one original Noah's Ark still operating in the US near Pittsburgh Pennsylvania at Kennywood Park. It's very similar and quite fun to walk through with the boat rocking back and forth.
I’ve lived in Blackpool my whole life. I haven’t been to the Pleasure Beach for nearly 20 years. I once worked at the Pasaje De Terror. These videos have made me want to go back.
That was fantastic. They sure knew what they were doing back then, that fantastic engineering. I used to love the Big Dipper and often wondered what it would be like to walk up one. Thanks to you I not longer need wonder. I have so enjoyed this series. Thank you so so much. Please stay safe and take care
That music puts a lump in my throat..fantastic series and darren your body brave climbing that ride...im terrified of heights and wouldnt even get half way lol...thankyou so much for the history...loved every minute of it ❤
Really interesting and informative. Old and current photos so good. Thoroughly enjoyed this Darren. Your wee friend was very quiet. Thank you again for all your hard work
Fascinating look behind the scenes, I have lived here for over 70 years, been to the Pleasure Beach many times before they started to charge to enter the park but never seen what you have. Ready enjoyed all 3 videos.
Yet again Darren another great vlog on Blackpool. Nice to see parts of the park the public don't get access to always look forward to whats coming next. Cheers.
All three posts beautifully done and researched. Loved the old rides showing not only the ride but the fashions of the day Bought back memories of my late mums cousin who was musical director of the ice show when it had live music. I now live in Australia but Blackpool was part of my happy childhood Keep up the good work Kind Regards. David and Rosie
Fantastic series and how brilliant of Blackpool Pleasure Beach to give such access for us all to enjoy in this video. I just echo your big thanks to the staff and management of this wonderful place.
04:10 I love the old big one first drop track... I have one of the supports in my garden as a planter. (Legitimately, they were selling car boot sized sections on one of the many coster club visits I made) It weighs an absolute ton!
i love the flying rockets. they arent so thrilling as other rides but i love how relaxing it is, although when i went it was a chilly day so i was shivering from the wind lol. i love seeing the behind the scenes!
Loved the pic of you and the family at the end. We are the same age and I was going to Blackpool like you in the late 80’s and through the 90’s. Brings back a lot of happy memories 🙂
Well done to you mate. My memories of blackpool was travelling down at whaat u called the glasgow fair in a ford anglia. My highlight was allways the pleasure beach.. I rember the day we were struggling for a tram to get to our b.n.b. The queses were amazing. Thanks darren. Another sleepless nite.👍🙋♂️
Thoroughly enjoyed these three episodes, thank you 🙏 I have the beautiful Centenary book and souvenir guide, I even have an old book of tokens that you used to buy to ride. I would love to see more, especially behind the scenes.
Ooooo man verrückt 🫣. Ich bewundere diese Menschen. Eine sehr gefährliche Arbeit. Hut ab, meine Bewunderung und Größten Respekt. Ein wunderbares Video Danke. Darren 👍👋👋 Liebe Grüße aus Deutschland
I loved this 3 part series on the Pleasure Beach. I grew up with trips to Blackpool and even now I go every year to Pleasure Beach. I really enjoyed seeing inside the flying machines. You come accross as a real genuine guy which make the videos even better. Cheers......👍👍
Fantastic video mate well done. Loved Blackpool and the pleasure beach all my life enjoyable times great memories. Seeing the rides from ground up all the work that's gone into them is amazing ,god bless the thompson family keeping the place going and making it look as it today.mark the psychic .
Brilliant work, loved this series especially as I have never been!! Your effort in researching this is hugely appreciated and once again a brilliant job. Looking forward to see what your up to next!!
Such a fantastic watch, thank you. What fun it must be to go to a amusment park that has has history going back OVER a hundred and twenty years, you are so lucky. Being that close to the "sea air" there must be tons of maintenance, also must say that is one LONG lift chain. Darren I know you have been to Knott's Berry Farm but how about the CYCLONE RACER at Coney Island N.Y.??? It is small but a great ride. Thanks for your hours of work.... Stay safe and stay strong
I LOVED this episode man! You've fulfilled a dream of mine! To get close up with the Big Dipper. What's great, is what you said at the end! That we can book tours to walk the woodies!?! 🤯🤯🤯 OMG I'm so gonna do it! AND FINALLY, its clearly #TeamICECREAM 😉 THAT'S what I always saw it as in the 80s! Haha It ALWAYS reminded me of Mr Whippy! Haha O.O.K 👌🏼💙
Enjoyed these three videos. Thanks for making them. I'm sure I remember that there used to be a window onto the engine room for Hiram Maxim's Flying Machines, so you could watch it running.
Absolutely fascinating series I really enjoy watching these videos it's interesting to hear and see the history of the Blackpool pleasure beach and rides.
Absolutely brilliant. I love these behind the scene features. I have some photos when I went on a tour years ago. Wish I'd videoed it so I could post on RU-vid and reach a wider audience. It wouldn't be as good as video is nowadays though. Do you use a GoPro?
Great video buddy I’m from Blackpool myself and am amazed at the state of the rides and how they are aloud to remain open the big one is so tatty and looking at the Big Dipper on your video is scary how rotten that looks who insures these 🤣
just watched and really enjoyed this mini series of Blackpool pleasure beach very interesting but made my toes curl when you stood at the top of the roller coaster ,wish you had covered Valhalla was my favourite dark ride but these days unable to ride any coasters or fast rides just glad i did them all in 2011,once again thanks for the memories.
That was lovely. I should've been commenting earlier, but was so gutted to find out the Fun House burned down in 1991! So long since I've been inside, still a regular visitor to Blackpool though. I've discovered pubs since then. One question about a ride you didn't mention: The Haunted Swing. When did that go ? Subscribed after the Winter Garden video now reviewing your stuff to actually find Part 1 of it.
It's a Christmas glass bulb that used to hang a my nans Christmas tree in the 70s, the same shape, and the wild mouse is my favourite ride of all time, you literally had to hang on
Another great video. I was surprised of no mention of the goldmine train that I remember from the 80s going through the restaurant. Just found a couple of videos on RU-vid showing it. Great memories. Came back to Blackpool 2016 an wasn't the same but appears I was lucky to ride the wild mouse one last time. 👍
As a kid my parents took me to New Brighton indoor funfair on the Wirral. I was more interested in the electrical systems that drove the rides than the rides themselves. Great videos, thanks!