Been riding this ride on and off for over 50 years and it is still my all time favourite. Even now as soon as we leave the station I sit there grinning like a fool until the ride is over. I still remember when I first rode it with just a door handle to hang on to. Hope to ride it again soon and hope to see it reach its 100th birthday.
Thoroughly enjoyed this Scott, very informative and evidence based. The Grand National is one of my favourites for sure, and for me, the bumps and roughness of it make it for me. Plus the theme and the feel of actually racing the other train. It’s so unique. It must be saved at all costs! Glad to hear you’re really a secret fan of it after all!
Thanks John, honestly I LOVED this coaster when I was a kid. It was the first big coaster I went on and I spent all of my BPB ticket budget off my parents re-riding the thing in November 2001. I could not get enough of it after my first go.
I haven't been able to ride any coasters in recent years because of having to have multiple spinal surgeries but I have so many happy nostalgic memories of all of Blackpool's woodies. I grew up in Preston so spent many happy hours at BPB. I was a member of the European Coaster Club and Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain during the 1990s and early 2000s and always loved riding the Grand National. I loved how at times it felt totally out of control and have have bruises on my thighs because of being slammed into the lap bars during some crazy air time. I can't compare it to now because I haven't ridden it for a long time, but I just can't imagine ever not having this or the Big Dipper at BPB. I was utterly devastated when Morecambe's Texas Tornado was knocked down and it still brings a lump to my throat looking at my photos of the track all flattened on the ground (I have a couple of small pieces of it here!) and was even more gutted when Southport's Cyclone was knocked down because I once won a competition to walk the track of it and I actually bought one of the cars when Grand National got new trains and the old ones were moved to the Cyclone. I just can't begin to imagine how I'd feel losing Grand National (or the Big Dipper) so I really hope that they can do something to keep it's popularity going
Thanks for commenting Mary, sorry to hear about the surgery and hope that you're doing well now. I am familiar with both coaster clubs, not sure if you know but Pleasure Beach Experience (us) merged with the 235 Club / Club Pleasure Beach in 2012.
The Nash is still my favourite at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Sure its got rougher over the years but its still a Thrilling Fantastic Historic Roller Coaster. The Rmc conversion i dont feel is practical or the answer . A sympathetic restoration is the answer i do so hope it happens with Nash ..time will tell.
10:00 a little from column A, a little from column B. People's expectations about ride smoothness have been going up and up because of new rides. Went on nemesis in october 2019, and for a ride as old as the big one, a recent refurb made it very smooth and pleasant.
im watching this now because i went to this place only about 1 or 2 years ago, this is my favourite ride at blackpool pleasure beach and i think it should stay wooden and not hybrid
Personally I don't find it that rough I think it adds to the experience in this ever increasing sterile world we seem to be living in, thanks for the upload Scott and great result for us today all the best mate 🎢👍🎢👍
It's a great coaster , old school nice and rough, but not that bad, people are a bit spoilt in the UK with smooth rides when B&M came along so it shouldn't be compared to those
For me with a proper restoration it deserves to continue to operate for many more years to come, a classic that has stood the test of time for a reason and should continue to do so.
I first went on the GN in the seventies.I think the trains were really old then.They were very deep seats with high sides, there was no lap bars then and all you had to hold onto was basically a door handle on the back of the seat in front.You used to bounce out of the seat going over the humps, fantastic, especially if you sat in the last seat,it's seat raised a bit higher for naximum bound.
The fact that there's rust and noticeable startings of timber rot shows just how difficult this ride is to maintain. If they're out as much as you say, then bloody well done to them. Excellent that they're trying to keep it going!
I love this coaster. There's something beautifully nostalgic about it. The pleasure beach has been through a lot in the past. There's been fires, corrosion from the sea air as the pleasure beach is right next to the Irish sea. Yet a coaster that was built in 1935 is still standing, and I'm unsure if there are any of these coasters around where there's another track right next to the 1 you're in. It would be tragic if anything ever happened to this.
I love the Nash, but it has always been rough. I think a re-track and train is definitely needed for this one. Will provide a smoother ride experience too. But it is a great ride and I love it to bits 🤗
If the HSE/insurance/ ADIPS would allow it in my opinion that would be the best way to restore it to its former glory, The current trains do nothing but do a massive disservice to this classic.
The Blackpool woodies are perfect. Personally, I don’t find them uncomfortable at all! The unanimous scream from the train when it jolts is just all part of the fun!
@@yourexperienceguide I’d love to see more in depth videos about the woodies. I have seen the precious history and review videos but a big updated Blackpool woodie extravaganza video would be brilliant!
I love the Grand National and have many fond memories of riding it over the years. As for it's roughness, I'd say from my last encounter with the ride, it felt like I was being beaten up by Bruce Lee in a very confined space. I'd call that a compliment, albeit one with painful connotations.
@@yourexperienceguide personally I would keep just as is , a warning to naughty children “if you don’t eat your greens then it’s a ride on the national for you” !😃
@@robertwiddasart6947 No offense, but this idea is horrible in so many ways. Letting a classic rot away and making it such a bad ride to the point of it serving as a punishment to children is honestly one of the most senseless ideas I've ever heard.
Its rough but nothing a good overhall wont sort out. I agree with you, we would sorely miss such an iconic coaster if it was to go, but I doubt very much "removal" of "grand national" are ever words spoken in the same sentence by BPB management. Cant wait to get back this year. Great video Btw.
Thanks for watching, I will be surprised if it hasn't been discussed in 90 odd years but I don't think it is a likely scenario either. A retrack is the dream.
I agree, it's too good of a ride to be scrapped and I'd be so sad if this happened. It's an icon for the park. The thing is so rough these days though! In my opinion, I'd love GCI to come in and do a complete re-track. Close it for a season (maybe longer if need be) and get it re-tracked!
Great video guys I've always loved the grand national I know that it has got unbelievable rough the past couple of years but I love horse racing so will always love the grand national
I hadn't ridden the Nash for a few years when I went with my daughter in 2019. The restraints on the new trains caused me absolute agony throughout the ride, so much so it put me off riding again. The Nash used to be my favourite rollercoaster of any park that I've visited, but it's been ruined for me. I guess if you're skinny the restraints wouldn't be such a problem. The Big Dipper's restraints are so much better that we rode that more often, rather than be stapled in agony to the seat.
Hope this thing doesn’t end up like Southport pleasureland and the cyclone. That was a true gem. From later pics it looked as it was in bad condition. Did I not mention that the Southport pleasureland had a rare wooden mouse? Historic roller coasters like Belmont cyclone and lakemont leap the dips are always in constant danger in their parks with closures, so we should support local and small parks like conneaut beach or vintage boardwalks.
Southport's Wild Mouse was a mirror image of Pleasure Beach's, but never felt as good or wild. Honestly I thought Cyclone was average at best, nobody bothered with it when it was open in its latter years.
Maybe because it wasn’t as insecure or bone shaking as their wild mouse at blackpool... Somehow leap the dips is better than cyclone even though it’s 10 mph. The dips in the back give very good ejector, but the final drop of leap the dips biggest drop (9ft) gives violent ejector cyclone looked like it was kinda rough, but I’m glad you have your opinion. I’m glad leap the dips is at lakemont park, because blackpool would probably get rid of this 1902 classic. Thanks for replying
Used to love the Grand national years ago, took my son on this ride three years ago and i could not believe how rough it was. We both remarked on this.
Great video guys. This was my first ride on a rollercoaster ever and I would love to see it given some major tlc it clearly needs.. I wouldn’t want it converting or changing though......
Nash has developed a nasty jolt at one of the bottom of the first drops that caught me off guard during my last visit (2019) I'm someone that doesn't find Infusion rough so apparently I have a high tolerance too! My last ride on Nash actually left me a bit sore but it was just that one jolt. The rest of it felt fine! I do feel it would benefit from some proper TLC though. If I had to choose one to be spited it would be Nickelodeon Streak. Big D and Nash both have something unique about them but streak just kind of exists. I'd replace it with something like Firechaser Express, something to please everyone! I also wouldn't be against The Big One being reprofiled in places. Give it a speed hill between the first drop and turnaround and improve some other hills so that you actually feel something!
Nickelodeon Streak on its day can be brilliant, but for some reason I felt like it ran better when it was 'Roller Coaster'. Its best years were 2008-09 I think. I am not sure there's a lot they could do with its space to be honest.
Well said Scott, fully agree. Answer me a question though, as it’s a Mobius loop where does (one) track go under/over the other, presume from the start? Keep up the great vids, look forward attending a Club day
Hi John, the secret is when you leave the station, the tracks never actually 'swap' sides. You start in the station on the right hand side, turn right and then you're on the left side, if you start on the left hand side, you turn left out of the station and then you're on the right side.
All this coaster needs is a full re-track & Geometry sorted out (trains don't sideways shuffle) by GG or GCI, this will make the ride an enjoyable / re-ridable experience for future years to come. The Big Dipper & Nic Streak are "glass smooth" compared to the "Nash".
I hope they retrack it, but also hope they don't use much/any steel and keep the PTC trains. I love those lap-bars, and the fact that you can leave fistfuls of room. And I hope they keep the pre-lift aswell, it's real smooth
@@yourexperienceguide I've never noticed the lap bars lower during the ride, but then again I'm relatively small. I guess I'm too busy focussing on the "pain"
@@yourexperienceguide Yes, I'm not sure either. I suppose that both sets are in use at any one time so as one set has reaches a half way point they send out the other set. Maybe they send out only one set at 'slack' times, and park up the other set. I've never been on it so I don't know.
@@davidbutterworth5258 I am still a bit confused what you mean, so I'll try and explain how it works. The Grand National has four trains, two on each side at any given time and they send out one from each side at a time, it's not uncommon for it to operate on a four train service. In 2004, it had a fire, it used to have four trains then but two of them were fire damaged and two were still usable, so in 2005 it ran on two trains before in 2006 they had new trains purchased, those are the four trains they still use to this day. Before the fire, it was a manually operated ride with a different style of trains, dispatch times were much quicker, throughput as a result was much better and it was a better ride overall.
I like Grand National despite how rough it is. My issue is that I'm fairly broad so those lapbars & the size of the trains horizontally is pretty bad for me, I can't really sit in a train with someone else, sort of a ME problem, but it adds to the roughness of it.
It’s definitely worth saving and not for the heritage reason, but because it’s an absolute banger of a ride (these days quite literally) and is definitely one of the best the park has to offer. It doesn’t need to be a silky smooth ride, just a little easier on the bones
Nash aint all that bad imo. Yes its abit lumpy but its an old woodie. The station breaks and the new trains dont really help but its all fun. Its a major tick on any trip in for me. Plus always try to do it back to back to get the full Nash Bash experience.
I’m glad you agree that it is worth saving, i’m also glad to acknowledge that the trains are at least part of the problem, New trains and re-tracking are a must if they want to boost his popularity and secure its future. If they really did try to make the trains later when they installed them then I don’t think they did a very good job or maybe it just wasn’t possible with the modern design?🤷♂️ I also agree that those horrible restraints are far too restrictive.
You know my thoughts on progress Doug, not every ride can or should be saved, but I have been reflecting on the Grand National scenario a lot lately and I would miss it if it was gone. If it carries on as it is, I would probably get over it going but I would much rather see it retracked and given a new lease of life even if that took 12-18 months of work.
I don't think there's any doubt that the grand national is a great coaster but it really is far too rough these days and does need retracking. I would love to see an RMC in the UK but converting the grand national isn't the coaster to convert. It just needs a retrack and some more modern trains.
Our first ride on it last Wednesday and let’s just say we’ll probably need a chiropractor 😂 I would like to see it retracked rather then made into hybrid if I’m honest, simply for the history of the coaster (maybe new trains too feels so claustrophobic)
@@yourexperienceguide it’s a great coaster and I think it’d be a shame to see it turned into a hybrid, I’d definitely opt for a complete re-track (even if it meant being shut for an entire season to solve it
This is far more fun than anything like Nemesis or more modern day loop coasters it’s fast and rough and it makes you smile all way around. I hope they replace the timber and smart it up and keep it going because it’s genuinely a brilliant coaster
The grand national is one of the main reasons for me wanting to go to The Blackpool pleasure beach. Any time I’ve been and that ride has been shut down is a disappointment. Personally don’t mind the roughness, adds to the fun.
Personally, I still Love the Grand National, I only first rode it in 2018, and I can tell how rough it’s become. I know it’ll cost a lot for the pleasure beach, but I honestly feel like it NEEDS a retrack, not only for the longevity of the ride, but also for the GP who will turn their backs more and more thinking it’s dangerous and old, I think it’s vital for its future.
I think that's the concern, ICON is glass smooth and without doubt made everything else feel 10% rougher than they did beforehand. The National is easily the roughest of all the coasters and whenever BPB post about it, the comments on their posts without doubt reflect that. A full retrack is worth it for me, more so than a new coaster.
It unfortunately is that bad which is such a shame as the unique layout and the amount of airtime it has would be great if it wasn't so rough. Please Pleasure Beach, if you are reading this, get GCI in to completely re-track it and replace the trains with Millennium Flyers
I think the best thing to do to the grand national would be fore GCI to give it a full retrack and add their Titan track in certain sections like the first drop and a couple of other valleys and for millennium flyer trains to be added. A new OS would be good too so the park could get the ride on a higher throughout. And also a referb would have to include the park actually adding a decent queue line to the ride instead of just letting it spill out of the entrance. The millennium flyer trains should make the turns smoother without the need for retracting them since they can do turns much more comfortably due to the cars being much shorter.
@@yourexperienceguide the GCI trains would help reduce wear on the track, especially on the turns since they move around a lot less and could help lengthen the ride’s life span by a lot longer so i think it would be a very wise thing for the park to do
@@ewant7954 I see where you're coming from, and can imagine if it got a GCI retrack that there'd be some push for the trains to be bought as well. Four trains wouldn't come cheap though.
@@yourexperienceguide too bad there isn’t any easily accessed information on the pricing and stuff for GCI trains. i don’t think GCI trains cost as much as others though because they are very simple designs. they could just extend the station to the final brake run and have two really really long trains instead 😂
I thought it was fun when I went on it 2019. Want their historic wooden coasters to stay. If it’s rough, but didn’t think it’s painful like people said. Retrack it, I like grand national.
Imagine if they did a full GCI track and new trains like what they did with ghost rider at Knotts berry farm. The layout would stay the same so the airtime would still be glorious but it would be as smooth as Wickerman and the trains would be super comfy. I don't know if it would be possible but I think that would be better than an rmc because it would still feel like a classic wooden roller coaster.
The Grand National is an amazing historic ride. A little bit of shoogling is part of the experience. As far as changing it is concerned that is a complete non starter. The GN, as well as the Big Dipper and Roller Coaster (REAL name) are listed. They cannot take it down and cannot change it so there you go.
I recorded this during lockdown, the Grand National has since had significant retracking work done to it and is still having its long term future decided upon. Don’t rule out a wooden coaster manufacturer fully refurbing it, it’s a possibility.
RMC are not going to say “we can’t do that” on camera. The ride has no concrete foundations, anything they’d do with that space would effectively be removal and rebuild unfortunately.
The older me finds it too rough these days and not in a pleasant way, however in a parallel universe if the younger me could ride it now I might find the roughness fun, if that makes sense? You could offer me £100 to ride in the back seat and I'd turn the offer down. I agree, don't convert it as the finished article will be far removed from the current ride in all but name. Plus as you touched on, there ain't the space, no matter how good the Park's been over the years at squeezing rides in here and there :) A season long closure for a full refurb including trains and station braking would be a good middle ground.
£100 for back row? I'd probably do it, any less and the response would be no. I'd be very happy to see it given a full refurb even if it has to be closed for 12-18 months, it would be worth the wait.
Last time I rode the Nash I came off in agony (was sat over the wheels) it's hurt alot n said I wouldn't ride it again but I do love the coaster the airtime is brilliant and it feels like it's out of control but would love some new trains and it soooo needs a re track!
I love the grand national tho last time I went on it I made the mistake of putting my hands up on a wheel set. Whacked the back of my head on the seat back had some nice swelling and a near concussion a retrack and nicer trains would not go amiss
Love the ride but it needs some major TLC, either full retract and repaint and new trains or just remove it and put an RMC in its place, because there’s definitely the space there. Preserve it if possible but move on if it becomes too much, plus it’s the only place in the pleasure beach that we’re going to see an RMC. Also loving the new intro! Very nice! Keep it up guys you rock!
Oh grief they can’t get rid of the Grand National 😱 ever. It’s my favourite roller coaster 🎢 of all time As an only child who loved the Pleasure Beach and whose parents would not go on ANYTHING I had no choice but to ride alone and I did, everything and anything but always came back to the GN. We were so lucky we didn’t lose it in the fire like we did others so doesn’t that tell you it’s worth saving.
My thinking is the Grand National will get a major refurb in the next few years which will mean it is closed for 1-2 years whilst it is done, but it will sustain its future. Just a thought, nothing official.
It’s a good ride but I can only do it at max twice in a day the lap bars and when it shoves you into a corner because last time I rode the GN o came off covered in bruises wether that’s down to the restraints or the train I’m not sure 🤷♀️
Think you are all getting soft. lol. Great coaster . Remember when its gone its gone. Think on. Wild Mouse . Hold tight and enjoy the ride . There is nothing else like this experience in the UK. Agree new trains introduced and ride dispatches are very poor these days but it is still one of the best rides in UK. Needs some TLC and rid of that awful breaking system. Love the videos and updates guys brilliant !! Thanks.
The best coaster in the UK and nobody can convince me otherwise.
My favourite ride at Blackpool closely followed by the big dipper!
It is good but with the new trains, it is not that good
Imo Nemesis
@@MeltedToast84 yes mate
Honestly mate, I disagree but I agree. I personally prefer smiler, icon, speed at Oakwood etc but nash is f*cking golden.
Been riding this ride on and off for over 50 years and it is still my all time favourite. Even now as soon as we leave the station I sit there grinning like a fool until the ride is over. I still remember when I first rode it with just a door handle to hang on to. Hope to ride it again soon and hope to see it reach its 100th birthday.
Thoroughly enjoyed this Scott, very informative and evidence based. The Grand National is one of my favourites for sure, and for me, the bumps and roughness of it make it for me. Plus the theme and the feel of actually racing the other train. It’s so unique. It must be saved at all costs! Glad to hear you’re really a secret fan of it after all!
Thanks John, honestly I LOVED this coaster when I was a kid. It was the first big coaster I went on and I spent all of my BPB ticket budget off my parents re-riding the thing in November 2001. I could not get enough of it after my first go.
I haven't been able to ride any coasters in recent years because of having to have multiple spinal surgeries but I have so many happy nostalgic memories of all of Blackpool's woodies. I grew up in Preston so spent many happy hours at BPB. I was a member of the European Coaster Club and Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain during the 1990s and early 2000s and always loved riding the Grand National. I loved how at times it felt totally out of control and have have bruises on my thighs because of being slammed into the lap bars during some crazy air time. I can't compare it to now because I haven't ridden it for a long time, but I just can't imagine ever not having this or the Big Dipper at BPB. I was utterly devastated when Morecambe's Texas Tornado was knocked down and it still brings a lump to my throat looking at my photos of the track all flattened on the ground (I have a couple of small pieces of it here!) and was even more gutted when Southport's Cyclone was knocked down because I once won a competition to walk the track of it and I actually bought one of the cars when Grand National got new trains and the old ones were moved to the Cyclone. I just can't begin to imagine how I'd feel losing Grand National (or the Big Dipper) so I really hope that they can do something to keep it's popularity going
Thanks for commenting Mary, sorry to hear about the surgery and hope that you're doing well now. I am familiar with both coaster clubs, not sure if you know but Pleasure Beach Experience (us) merged with the 235 Club / Club Pleasure Beach in 2012.
Love going on the Grand National my parents took me on it when I was 9 years old and now I take my children on it too great video too
Thanks Pamela
Rough as hell but me and my 8 year old son loved it this week. Many memories with my own dad as a lad on this. Love it.
I will be glad to see it stay but hope to see it get the rework it needs
Painful 😂 I normally love a rough coaster but this one hurt. It’s such a classic though
dad
The Grand National is a classic woodie and a real favorite. It would be a shame to make any major changes. The airtime outweighs the rough ride.
I will have to agree with you. I have only been on it once and it killed
@@janeth8506 A retrack with the same layout would be good I think
@@yourexperienceguide Yes, the layout is part of the charm and a smoother ride would be nice!
I find it absolutely awesome in a non wheel seat 🔥
It was impossible to get one of those rows in 2020
Love the Nash!! I’d love it to somehow be a little smother, however that could be done. It’s an absolute classic and beyond thrilling.
Agreed Mark, just a bit too rough for more than one ride every few months now
The Grand National is 100% my favourite Pleasure Beach coaster! It just needs some tlc!
Hopefully a retrack sometime
The Nash is still my favourite at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
Sure its got rougher over the years but its still a Thrilling Fantastic Historic Roller Coaster.
The Rmc conversion i dont feel is practical or the answer .
A sympathetic restoration is the answer i do so hope it happens with Nash ..time will tell.
Time will certainly tell Stu, let's hope it won't be too long before you can get back on it!
love it!!!!!!! so glad it is a listed building so it can not be touched and my kids can get to enjoy this great coaster
10:00
a little from column A, a little from column B. People's expectations about ride smoothness have been going up and up because of new rides. Went on nemesis in october 2019, and for a ride as old as the big one, a recent refurb made it very smooth and pleasant.
Honestly I find Nemesis is a bit of a head banger these days, especially compared to Nemesis Inferno.
im watching this now because i went to this place only about 1 or 2 years ago, this is my favourite ride at blackpool pleasure beach and i think it should stay wooden and not hybrid
Personally I don't find it that rough I think it adds to the experience in this ever increasing sterile world we seem to be living in, thanks for the upload Scott and great result for us today all the best mate 🎢👍🎢👍
Thanks Colin, it was a bitter sweet result, I always like to see Liverpool get beat but City pulling away from United isn't ideal lol
A couple of years ago I went on the Grand National during a heavy hail shower. Now that was rough!
ive ridden the big one in hail stone that was pain! :)
Try the Big One in those conditions 🤣
I really like the grand national it's fast fun and always has me laughing ... its painful in places but it adds to the hilarity of it 🤣
Thank you for watching and commenting, it's definitely a bruiser lol
The best can’t no longer go on any rides but when I did this was excellent fun times to be remembered
It's a great coaster , old school nice and rough, but not that bad, people are a bit spoilt in the UK with smooth rides when B&M came along so it shouldn't be compared to those
I am definitely concerned that coasters may get a bit TOO smooth if that's even a thing
For me with a proper restoration it deserves to continue to operate for many more years to come, a classic that has stood the test of time for a reason and should continue to do so.
I am confident it will get some refurb work over the next year or so to help improve the ride experience/prolong its lifespan
I first went on the GN in the seventies.I think the trains were really old then.They were very deep seats with high sides, there was no lap bars then and all you had to hold onto was basically a door handle on the back of the seat in front.You used to bounce out of the seat going over the humps, fantastic, especially if you sat in the last seat,it's seat raised a bit higher for naximum bound.
They retracked some of it over last winter and it has improved the experience
The fact that there's rust and noticeable startings of timber rot shows just how difficult this ride is to maintain. If they're out as much as you say, then bloody well done to them. Excellent that they're trying to keep it going!
They track walk it every morning :)
I love this coaster. There's something beautifully nostalgic about it. The pleasure beach has been through a lot in the past. There's been fires, corrosion from the sea air as the pleasure beach is right next to the Irish sea. Yet a coaster that was built in 1935 is still standing, and I'm unsure if there are any of these coasters around where there's another track right next to the 1 you're in. It would be tragic if anything ever happened to this.
As it stands, there's only two post WW2 mobius loop roller coasters out there; this one and Racer at Kennywood.
I only put one seatbelt on and I was supposed to put on 2. I was wondering why I was getting a lot of airtime. loved it.
There’s only one seat belt per rider
oh sorry i explained that wrong, I mean I forgot to put the seatbelt but I put the thing you put on your lap on
Love the opening to this video Scott! Great video
Thank you :)
I love the Nash, but it has always been rough. I think a re-track and train is definitely needed for this one. Will provide a smoother ride experience too. But it is a great ride and I love it to bits 🤗
I certainly wouldn't say it has ever been smooth, but it's certainly a lot rougher these days than it was even 5 years back.
My absolute favourite!
Nice one! Thank you for watching
Just needs some decent trains. Bring back the low-sided PTCs with the buzz-bars.
If the HSE/insurance/ ADIPS would allow it in my opinion that would be the best way to restore it to its former glory, The current trains do nothing but do a massive disservice to this classic.
@@dougbriglmen716 Kennywood's Racer runs with buzz bars
@@yourexperienceguide I would love to go and ride it someday, especially in the dark🙂
The Blackpool woodies are perfect. Personally, I don’t find them uncomfortable at all! The unanimous scream from the train when it jolts is just all part of the fun!
I need to redo this video to be fair 😅
@@yourexperienceguide I’d love to see more in depth videos about the woodies. I have seen the precious history and review videos but a big updated Blackpool woodie extravaganza video would be brilliant!
Love it. My favourite.
I love the Grand National and have many fond memories of riding it over the years. As for it's roughness, I'd say from my last encounter with the ride, it felt like I was being beaten up by Bruce Lee in a very confined space. I'd call that a compliment, albeit one with painful connotations.
I think without any doubt at all it’s much rougher now than it was even 2/3 years back
Congratulations on 24,000 subscribers
Thank you, giveaway at 25k
The Grand National is part of the Fabric of the pleasure beach , needs to stay and remain unaltered in my opinion
Not even a retrack with the same layout?
@@yourexperienceguide personally I would keep just as is , a warning to naughty children “if you don’t eat your greens then it’s a ride on the national for you” !😃
@@robertwiddasart6947 No offense, but this idea is horrible in so many ways. Letting a classic rot away and making it such a bad ride to the point of it serving as a punishment to children is honestly one of the most senseless ideas I've ever heard.
Its rough but nothing a good overhall wont sort out. I agree with you, we would sorely miss such an iconic coaster if it was to go, but I doubt very much "removal" of "grand national" are ever words spoken in the same sentence by BPB management. Cant wait to get back this year. Great video Btw.
Thanks for watching, I will be surprised if it hasn't been discussed in 90 odd years but I don't think it is a likely scenario either. A retrack is the dream.
I agree, it's too good of a ride to be scrapped and I'd be so sad if this happened. It's an icon for the park. The thing is so rough these days though! In my opinion, I'd love GCI to come in and do a complete re-track. Close it for a season (maybe longer if need be) and get it re-tracked!
I'd have no complaints over 12-18 months of full retrack refurbishment to essentially give it another 30 or more years
Great video guys I've always loved the grand national I know that it has got unbelievable rough the past couple of years but I love horse racing so will always love the grand national
I'd love to see it fully retracked when budgets allow
Great layout and heritage but it’s so brutal I actually hate riding it these days
I hate that I don't enjoy it like I used to do, really hope it gets a big retrack
@@yourexperienceguide yeah me too, it used to be one of my favourite coasters in the park now I cant stand the thing
I hadn't ridden the Nash for a few years when I went with my daughter in 2019. The restraints on the new trains caused me absolute agony throughout the ride, so much so it put me off riding again. The Nash used to be my favourite rollercoaster of any park that I've visited, but it's been ruined for me. I guess if you're skinny the restraints wouldn't be such a problem.
The Big Dipper's restraints are so much better that we rode that more often, rather than be stapled in agony to the seat.
I miss the days of it having the singular lap bar like the Big Dipper & Nickelodeon Streak still do
I love it. Spectacular ride.
Brill
Hope this thing doesn’t end up like Southport pleasureland and the cyclone. That was a true gem. From later pics it looked as it was in bad condition. Did I not mention that the Southport pleasureland had a rare wooden mouse? Historic roller coasters like Belmont cyclone and lakemont leap the dips are always in constant danger in their parks with closures, so we should support local and small parks like conneaut beach or vintage boardwalks.
Southport's Wild Mouse was a mirror image of Pleasure Beach's, but never felt as good or wild. Honestly I thought Cyclone was average at best, nobody bothered with it when it was open in its latter years.
Maybe because it wasn’t as insecure or bone shaking as their wild mouse at blackpool... Somehow leap the dips is better than cyclone even though it’s 10 mph. The dips in the back give very good ejector, but the final drop of leap the dips biggest drop (9ft) gives violent ejector cyclone looked like it was kinda rough, but I’m glad you have your opinion. I’m glad leap the dips is at lakemont park, because blackpool would probably get rid of this 1902 classic. Thanks for replying
Used to love the Grand national years ago, took my son on this ride three years ago and i could not believe how rough it was. We both remarked on this.
I'm glad it isn't just me that used to love it but now finds it a lot rougher.
I'd love to see it closed and refurbished, it's a brilliant coaster but it's as rough as hell these days, loving the videos Scott 😎 😎 😎
Thank you, I'd love to see a full retrack when the budgets allow for it
Love the new intro for reviews!
Thank you
Great video guys. This was my first ride on a rollercoaster ever and I would love to see it given some major tlc it clearly needs.. I wouldn’t want it converting or changing though......
Thanks Dean, and I would agree with that definitely. A retrack and some work on the structure to reduce the roughness is the dream.
Nash has developed a nasty jolt at one of the bottom of the first drops that caught me off guard during my last visit (2019) I'm someone that doesn't find Infusion rough so apparently I have a high tolerance too! My last ride on Nash actually left me a bit sore but it was just that one jolt. The rest of it felt fine! I do feel it would benefit from some proper TLC though. If I had to choose one to be spited it would be Nickelodeon Streak. Big D and Nash both have something unique about them but streak just kind of exists. I'd replace it with something like Firechaser Express, something to please everyone! I also wouldn't be against The Big One being reprofiled in places. Give it a speed hill between the first drop and turnaround and improve some other hills so that you actually feel something!
Nickelodeon Streak on its day can be brilliant, but for some reason I felt like it ran better when it was 'Roller Coaster'. Its best years were 2008-09 I think. I am not sure there's a lot they could do with its space to be honest.
Well said Scott, fully agree. Answer me a question though, as it’s a Mobius loop where does (one) track go under/over the other, presume from the start? Keep up the great vids, look forward attending a Club day
Hi John, the secret is when you leave the station, the tracks never actually 'swap' sides. You start in the station on the right hand side, turn right and then you're on the left side, if you start on the left hand side, you turn left out of the station and then you're on the right side.
All this coaster needs is a full re-track & Geometry sorted out (trains don't sideways shuffle) by GG or GCI, this will make the ride an enjoyable / re-ridable experience for future years to come. The Big Dipper & Nic Streak are "glass smooth" compared to the "Nash".
I hope they retrack it, but also hope they don't use much/any steel and keep the PTC trains. I love those lap-bars, and the fact that you can leave fistfuls of room. And I hope they keep the pre-lift aswell, it's real smooth
A retrack and the same trains would be a good thing to be honest, only concern is how tight those lap bars do get as it goes on.
@@yourexperienceguide I've never noticed the lap bars lower during the ride, but then again I'm relatively small. I guess I'm too busy focussing on the "pain"
I still love it even with all it's rough edges haha
Haha brill, thank you for watching and commenting :)
Marry me on it
Surely there are four replacement trains - red, blue, green and purple. Perhaps you mean that only two are in use at any one time?
You’ve lost me there David
@@yourexperienceguide Yes, I'm not sure either. I suppose that both sets are in use at any one time so as one set has reaches a half way point they send out the other set.
Maybe they send out only one set at 'slack' times, and park up the other set. I've never been on it so I don't know.
@@davidbutterworth5258 I am still a bit confused what you mean, so I'll try and explain how it works. The Grand National has four trains, two on each side at any given time and they send out one from each side at a time, it's not uncommon for it to operate on a four train service. In 2004, it had a fire, it used to have four trains then but two of them were fire damaged and two were still usable, so in 2005 it ran on two trains before in 2006 they had new trains purchased, those are the four trains they still use to this day. Before the fire, it was a manually operated ride with a different style of trains, dispatch times were much quicker, throughput as a result was much better and it was a better ride overall.
I like Grand National despite how rough it is. My issue is that I'm fairly broad so those lapbars & the size of the trains horizontally is pretty bad for me, I can't really sit in a train with someone else, sort of a ME problem, but it adds to the roughness of it.
I get your point of view here, I find the seats aren't the most comfortable especially with it having the seat divider.
It’s definitely worth saving and not for the heritage reason, but because it’s an absolute banger of a ride (these days quite literally) and is definitely one of the best the park has to offer. It doesn’t need to be a silky smooth ride, just a little easier on the bones
I have to agree
It’s good I agree think some people are soft I just feel a bit not much prob just coz I enjoy coasters
Thanks for watching/commenting Chris
Really needs some work, GCI Rework would be amazing for it. I only made it to BPB once last year, but it was by far the roughest ride ever been on.
It'd be great to see a full refurb, BPB and GCI working together would be great
Nash aint all that bad imo. Yes its abit lumpy but its an old woodie. The station breaks and the new trains dont really help but its all fun. Its a major tick on any trip in for me. Plus always try to do it back to back to get the full Nash Bash experience.
Back row is a no go for me these days
We hope that you will always have the grand national it must stay forever it's the single best ride ever in the world.
It'll always be up to the Pleasure Beach and not us what happens with it :)
Grand National is what I like to call the 'Gutt Puncher'', it's dips accompanied by the lap bars can really punch you, especially when you are tall.
Yeah, I can relate to that really.
Im hoping for a complete retrack from GCI, like they did with Ghostrider at Knotts, and some millennium flyers
I can definitely see it being retracked in the next few years
I’m glad you agree that it is worth saving, i’m also glad to acknowledge that the trains are at least part of the problem, New trains and re-tracking are a must if they want to boost his popularity and secure its future.
If they really did try to make the trains later when they installed them then I don’t think they did a very good job or maybe it just wasn’t possible with the modern design?🤷♂️
I also agree that those horrible restraints are far too restrictive.
You know my thoughts on progress Doug, not every ride can or should be saved, but I have been reflecting on the Grand National scenario a lot lately and I would miss it if it was gone. If it carries on as it is, I would probably get over it going but I would much rather see it retracked and given a new lease of life even if that took 12-18 months of work.
I would love to see a refurbishment 😍😍 and i love the nash! On the front* 🤣
Agreed Paul
I love the grand national, it might not be the biggest and newest but it’s still absolutely one of my favourite
Thanks for watching and commenting
I don't think there's any doubt that the grand national is a great coaster but it really is far too rough these days and does need retracking. I would love to see an RMC in the UK but converting the grand national isn't the coaster to convert. It just needs a retrack and some more modern trains.
Agreed Chris
I don't think it's reached the point where its too rough yet, it's just plain fun atm 😁
I didn't find it enjoyable at all last year, or that much in the previous year sadly.
Our first ride on it last Wednesday and let’s just say we’ll probably need a chiropractor 😂 I would like to see it retracked rather then made into hybrid if I’m honest, simply for the history of the coaster (maybe new trains too feels so claustrophobic)
There's no doubt at all it is a rough coaster at the minute, I would love to see it completely re-tracked now.
@@yourexperienceguide it’s a great coaster and I think it’d be a shame to see it turned into a hybrid, I’d definitely opt for a complete re-track (even if it meant being shut for an entire season to solve it
This is far more fun than anything like Nemesis or more modern day loop coasters it’s fast and rough and it makes you smile all way around.
I hope they replace the timber and smart it up and keep it going because it’s genuinely a brilliant coaster
Thank you for watching and commenting
The grand national is one of the main reasons for me wanting to go to The Blackpool pleasure beach. Any time I’ve been and that ride has been shut down is a disappointment. Personally don’t mind the roughness, adds to the fun.
It'll be interesting to see how things go with it, I am hopeful it will have reduced roughness this year
Personally, I still Love the Grand National, I only first rode it in 2018, and I can tell how rough it’s become. I know it’ll cost a lot for the pleasure beach, but I honestly feel like it NEEDS a retrack, not only for the longevity of the ride, but also for the GP who will turn their backs more and more thinking it’s dangerous and old, I think it’s vital for its future.
I think that's the concern, ICON is glass smooth and without doubt made everything else feel 10% rougher than they did beforehand. The National is easily the roughest of all the coasters and whenever BPB post about it, the comments on their posts without doubt reflect that. A full retrack is worth it for me, more so than a new coaster.
It unfortunately is that bad which is such a shame as the unique layout and the amount of airtime it has would be great if it wasn't so rough. Please Pleasure Beach, if you are reading this, get GCI in to completely re-track it and replace the trains with Millennium Flyers
A full retrack would probably eliminate the need for new trains, but new trains wouldn't be the worst thing.
I think the best thing to do to the grand national would be fore GCI to give it a full retrack and add their Titan track in certain sections like the first drop and a couple of other valleys and for millennium flyer trains to be added. A new OS would be good too so the park could get the ride on a higher throughout. And also a referb would have to include the park actually adding a decent queue line to the ride instead of just letting it spill out of the entrance. The millennium flyer trains should make the turns smoother without the need for retracting them since they can do turns much more comfortably due to the cars being much shorter.
GCI retrack with the current trains would be absolutely fine I think, new operating system would be amazing.
@@yourexperienceguide the GCI trains would help reduce wear on the track, especially on the turns since they move around a lot less and could help lengthen the ride’s life span by a lot longer so i think it would be a very wise thing for the park to do
@@ewant7954 I see where you're coming from, and can imagine if it got a GCI retrack that there'd be some push for the trains to be bought as well. Four trains wouldn't come cheap though.
@@yourexperienceguide too bad there isn’t any easily accessed information on the pricing and stuff for GCI trains. i don’t think GCI trains cost as much as others though because they are very simple designs. they could just extend the station to the final brake run and have two really really long trains instead 😂
I'm going to pleasure beach for the first time in 3 weeks in so hyped
Have an excellent time
I thought it was fun when I went on it 2019. Want their historic wooden coasters to stay. If it’s rough, but didn’t think it’s painful like people said. Retrack it, I like grand national.
I'd be all for a retrack before removal
The Nash your back up I’m calling it going forward 🤣
I've enjoyed it a lot lately
@@yourexperienceguide Maybe it was my seating position. To be fair I had issues with the lapbar and the seatbelt before hand. Who knows.
Best ride ever ❤
It's my number 1 coaster ❤
The grand national is my favourite woody in the world
Thank you for watching and commenting
it is not in the world but in United Kingdom
Imagine if they did a full GCI track and new trains like what they did with ghost rider at Knotts berry farm. The layout would stay the same so the airtime would still be glorious but it would be as smooth as Wickerman and the trains would be super comfy. I don't know if it would be possible but I think that would be better than an rmc because it would still feel like a classic wooden roller coaster.
It would be excellent to see for sure
The Grand National is an amazing historic ride. A little bit of shoogling is part of the experience. As far as changing it is concerned that is a complete non starter. The GN, as well as the Big Dipper and Roller Coaster (REAL name) are listed. They cannot take it down and cannot change it so there you go.
I recorded this during lockdown, the Grand National has since had significant retracking work done to it and is still having its long term future decided upon. Don’t rule out a wooden coaster manufacturer fully refurbing it, it’s a possibility.
I think that the grand national should never change as its an incredible ride that is amazing to have in the uk
Since recording this they’ve retracked it and it’s a lot more enjoyable
@@yourexperienceguide Its still not smooth though and I don't want it to be
RMC have already said the Grand National can be converted.
RMC are not going to say “we can’t do that” on camera. The ride has no concrete foundations, anything they’d do with that space would effectively be removal and rebuild unfortunately.
0:00 - Nice Intro!
Thanks!
The older me finds it too rough these days and not in a pleasant way, however in a parallel universe if the younger me could ride it now I might find the roughness fun, if that makes sense? You could offer me £100 to ride in the back seat and I'd turn the offer down. I agree, don't convert it as the finished article will be far removed from the current ride in all but name. Plus as you touched on, there ain't the space, no matter how good the Park's been over the years at squeezing rides in here and there :) A season long closure for a full refurb including trains and station braking would be a good middle ground.
£100 for back row? I'd probably do it, any less and the response would be no. I'd be very happy to see it given a full refurb even if it has to be closed for 12-18 months, it would be worth the wait.
The rmc nash conversion debate reminds me a bit of the ship of theseus
Thank you for watching and commenting
First rollercoaster I ever went on :)
One of the first I did too
The absolute best 😂
It was surprisingly smooth the last time I rode it (February 2020). I think it depends where you sit?!
Avoiding a 'wheel seat' definitely improves the experience
Last time I rode the Nash I came off in agony (was sat over the wheels) it's hurt alot n said I wouldn't ride it again but I do love the coaster the airtime is brilliant and it feels like it's out of control but would love some new trains and it soooo needs a re track!
I've said a few times in the past I wouldn't do it again but I am always drawn back to it for a fix of the airtime
I love the grand national tho last time I went on it I made the mistake of putting my hands up on a wheel set. Whacked the back of my head on the seat back had some nice swelling and a near concussion a retrack and nicer trains would not go amiss
Oh no, can't remember the last time I was brave enough not to hold on, on it
I think it’s best if they could get away with rebuilding sections of the superstructure to smooth out the ride, without rmcing it to make it smoother.
Definitely ways to make it smoother without the need to remove it and replace with an RMC
My favourite coaster.
Thank you for watching and commenting
Love the ride but it needs some major TLC, either full retract and repaint and new trains or just remove it and put an RMC in its place, because there’s definitely the space there. Preserve it if possible but move on if it becomes too much, plus it’s the only place in the pleasure beach that we’re going to see an RMC.
Also loving the new intro! Very nice! Keep it up guys you rock!
I'd love to see it retracked before any new coaster gets built at BPB and thank you :)
@@yourexperienceguide same, I think it’s something they might do as well which is good :)
Oh grief they can’t get rid of the Grand National 😱 ever. It’s my favourite roller coaster 🎢 of all time As an only child who loved the Pleasure Beach and whose parents would not go on ANYTHING I had no choice but to ride alone and I did, everything and anything but always came back to the GN. We were so lucky we didn’t lose it in the fire like we did others so doesn’t that tell you it’s worth saving.
My thinking is the Grand National will get a major refurb in the next few years which will mean it is closed for 1-2 years whilst it is done, but it will sustain its future. Just a thought, nothing official.
I love this ride
Thank you for watching and commenting
Wow that intro!
Thank you!
Still, the best ride at BPB only spoiled by the shorter trains that no longer gives the flip on the back end.
In fairness they've been three carriage trains since the early 2000's
Is the park open right now during quarantine?
Of course not, we’re in lockdown
I feel like maybe a iron grand national rmc would be a good idea but with it been listed i cannot see much happening
Listed status can be overturned
My fav ride
Thank you for watching and commenting
It’s a good ride but I can only do it at max twice in a day the lap bars and when it shoves you into a corner because last time I rode the GN o came off covered in bruises wether that’s down to the restraints or the train I’m not sure 🤷♀️
I think it’s not a surprise to leave any wooden coaster with some bruising lol
It is a bit rough but I love this ride.
It'll be smoother this year
@@yourexperienceguide Oh really? I'm looking forward to riding this coaster again, I'm planning to visit BPB in a few weeks 😁
Think you are all getting soft. lol. Great coaster . Remember when its gone its gone. Think on. Wild Mouse . Hold tight and enjoy the ride . There is nothing else like this experience in the UK. Agree new trains introduced and ride dispatches are very poor these days but it is still one of the best rides in UK. Needs some TLC and rid of that awful breaking system. Love the videos and updates guys brilliant !! Thanks.
Thanks for watching, there’s been significant amounts of track/structural work done to improve the rider experience 😉