The Irn-Bru Revolution is one of BPB's most popular rides. It celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2004, making it one
of BPB's oldest steel rollercoasters. It is the only Arrow Shuttle Loop rollercoaster still operating in the world. There
is another one in Camden Park in America called the Thunderbolt Express (formerly the Sceamin' Demon at Paramount King's Island),
but it has not been operating since 2001.
History
The Revolution was built in 1979 as Europe's first modern 360 degree looping rollercoaster. The new park manager, Geoffrey
Thompson, wanted an exciting new ride for the Pleasure Beach, and he succeeded. The original Revolution was red, white and
blue, but in 1988 it got repainted in the Irn-Bru colours (blue and orange) as the Revolution was now sponsored by them (and
still is). This meant the ride was now called the Irn-Bru Revolution and had a new logo (at the top of the page). The Revolution
celebrated its 25th Birthday in 2004, and even though the ride is 26 this year, it still remains one of the Pleasure Beach's
most popular rides.
Ride Overview
The ride is situated next to the Avalanche and the Pepsi Max. To get up there you must climb a spiral staircase and then
you are on the platform. The train has 4 cars, in which there are 2 rows of two seats, giving a total of 16 riders. There
are restraints that go over your shoulders. The first thing that happens once you get in is that there is an announcement:
"Get ready to ride the Revolution. 3... 2... 1... Let's see what Irn-Bru can do for you!" and then you are shot out of the
station at 45mph. You go down a 56" hill which gives lots of airtime, then you go round the 360 degree vertical loop, and
up another hill, to the other station. There is a brief pause, then the announcer says: "Get ready to ride the Revolution
backwards!" and you are shot back down the hill, round the loop and back up the other hill backwards. This offers a very thrilling
ride, especially the backwards run.
Facts
~ It was built in 1979 and celebrated its 25th Birthday in 2004.
~ It was repainted from its British red, white and blue to its new sponsors colours: the Irn-Bru orange and blue.
~ It featured on "Jim'll Fix It" in 1980 when a group of cub scouts wrote in asking: "Please could you find us an unusual
place to eat our lunch?". The scouts were taken up to the Pleasure Beach to ride the Revolution. The boys had to then
eat their dinner whilst riding it!
~ It is one of the only Arrow Shuttle Loop coasters still in operation.
~ The ride is decorated with lots of blue latticework on the stands, the station, and the loop.
~ At night, the whole ride is lit up by lights on the side of the track.
~ It was the first modern looping coaster in Europe.
~ It is the only looping rollercoaster in the Pleasure Beach.
~ The loop is rode twice: once forwards and once backwards!
