Cannonball Express

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

RE: Enigma to receive £400,000 upgrade 2012 - 2015

Josh · Passionate about Pleasurewood

This is fantastic news! I myself am very looking forward to this

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

To be honest, I actually think they should keep Enigma closed until this has been completed. It's in a right state, it just looks so unprofessional and it cant leave a good impression on guests.

I'm sure most people wouldn't care about it being closed with a sign up stating "Major refurb, reopening 2015".

OR "Cannonball Express is being improved for your future enjoyment" XD

MattyH · Passionate about Pleasurewood

So you are suggesting they close a major attraction for the next 2/3 seasons with no replacement, the conplaints they get now are bad enough without the uproar this would cause.

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Yes I am. At the end of the day, they're adding 4 new rides this year, plus the 5 from last year, with a gate price increase of just 50p. So I'd say they're well within their rights if they wanted to close it.

And regardless of that, if they removed the ride from their website and park map, there couldn't really be any complaints.

coolskin · Passionate about Pleasurewood

We need a season of eberything going and for its 30th to have a major ride closed would not be good - agreed its been left to rot but then all the rides have

jo · Enigmatic Expert

mrbrightside wrote:
Enigma is the only one of its kind...

Is PWH the only themepark in the world to have that sort of ride? If so that could be a good fact for PWH to draw on.

Making the grass banks around the edge neater and fresh could really improve the overall look. Theme wise, it does look bare at the moment, and in the video below, it seems to have a much better look/atmosphere to it and a theme that works.

also has anyone on here seen this video? I rememebr seeing it on CITV when it was live in '02 - I wanted to be at the park when I saw it live on TV ha

the video has some nice clips of the Cannonball express

-- Edited by jo on Friday 29th of March 2013 01:29:33 AM

-- Edited by jo on Friday 29th of March 2013 01:30:29 AM

-- Edited by jo on Friday 29th of March 2013 01:54:44 AM

Josh · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Yeah great little video that. The old theming was great and much better than the bare themless ride we have now. The fibreglass rocks set the scene nicely and created some nice litte areas where the train went behind so onlookers from the queue couldn't see. All in all it was a generic but successful theme that I would welcome back with open arms. Plus I think this could be done really nicely now with maybe some tunnels and an enclosed station building (without all the those horrible looking oil drum things all over the place) would be sweet.

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Is PWH the only themepark in the world to have that sort of ride? If so that could be a good fact for PWH to draw on.

Yes and no. Enigma is the only model that was made (so in theory, you could say it's a custom model), but Schwartzkopf made a number of non-looping coasters.

Bubbles · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Great news this, I hope the rattlesnake gets similar treatment in the future too.
I remember when it was first added, the que line was massive, does this still happen today?

Remember before this coaster all that pit had was a giant rainbow coloured slide?

coolskin · Passionate about Pleasurewood

i remember the days of when it had gates you stood behind that opened once people had got out of the train...and i remember so well seeing the tempest shadow over us through the roof of the que line

jo · Enigmatic Expert

found this comment on one of PWH posts on FB.

"Gerstlauer has now taken over where Schwarzkopf left off, so they could probably very easily refurbish the block brakes and trains for this ride. I suspect it's more cost related"

nice wiki entry as well about the ride http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enigma_(roller_coaster)

mrbrightside · Exceptionally Expressive

Gerstlauer may be the spiritual successors to Schwarzkopf but they aren't the same company at all... I dunno who, if anyone, would take on the work - possibly someone like KumbaK but they're bloody awful so Pleasurewood are just as good doing it themselves really.

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

^ That comment probably came about because it's Gerst that are revamping the Turbine coaster at Walibi (Thunder Looper clone) with new launch mechanism and new train.

mrbrightside · Exceptionally Expressive

Oh fair enough :) I knew they have very much spiritually succeeded Schwarzkopf but I didn't know they were doing work on old coasters too...

coolskin · Passionate about Pleasurewood

work planned for this now or closed season 2014/2015 ?

Josh · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Good question, we've heard no news on this. I hope it hasn't been pushed aside for other projects.

Bubbles · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Oh yeah, can't see it happening now. Not with a new coaster being built now.
Unless they're going to do it in stages, maybe they'll get the carts sorted first. (not sure what they plan on doing with it)

If enclosing it is still on the cards maybe that's put a delay on it.
Or it's going to me moved and the new mouse will put in the pit?

Josh · Passionate about Pleasurewood

The new mouse is going where Fireball is. There was talk of enclosing it - it'll be good to have it running 2 trains again which I hope is still on the cards.

coolskin · Passionate about Pleasurewood

yes - this above all the rides issues we have is so badly needed to be sorted

mrbrightside · Exceptionally Expressive

Ben... do you have any updates on the old girl?

PWHSocial · Exceptionally Expressive

Hi Guys - Enigma receiving an additional train has been put on the back burner until 2015, because of the investment of the Wild Mouse. That isn't to say she won't receive a little cosmetic attention this winter. With just 12 weeks until opening, there is a shed load to get done across the whole park, even without refurbishing and building an entire new train.

Josh · Passionate about Pleasurewood

:( Disappointing news but at least it's still getting done. Obviously having a new coaster will bring in more people than trying to market a new train!

coolskin · Passionate about Pleasurewood

this is bad news and a shame - but i think we all knew this would be the case - lets just hope it will look a bit better at least then for 2014

Josh · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Are the eyesores of oil drums still stored on the roller coaster stations? They really don't look good.

coolskin · Passionate about Pleasurewood

i think they were.......

Bubbles · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Yes 12 weeks, some things never change lol, this is what happens when everything shuts down 2 months before Christmas.

I do find it odd they bought the Mouse with the money set aside for Enigma. lol that extra train on the track is so important.
Maybe next year then...... unless something else pops up. :P

coolskin · Passionate about Pleasurewood

I agree Bubbles - I think it always will be the case over winter etc - ...

I am thrilled that we have a new ride and it is most needed but enigma is desperate to be sorted out and its a big big shame - although not any fault of the new owners as such the ride was in decline long before.

Josh · Passionate about Pleasurewood

We were never due this ride, it wasn't on their plans so it's kind of a bonus which is great considering the lack of new rides between 2007 and 2011!!

coolskin · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Oh agreed Josh - but this supposed enigma upgrade which has been banded about for the last few seasons has still not happened