Black Hole (roller coaster)
Encyclopedia
Black Hole was an enclosed steel
roller coaster
at Alton Towers
in Staffordshire
, England. It operated from 1984 until 2005. The coaster was located within a huge silvery black tent (formally green and yellow) that ensured the ride took place in total darkness. The coaster itself was a Jet Star 2, designed by Anton Schwarzkopf
. During the time that the ride operated, the park also operated an outdoor Jet Star 3, designed first for the Alton Beast, and then the New Beast.
In 1985, a number of changes were made. Firstly, the bottom of the first drop was modified slightly to make the ride run more smoothly. An oil-based smoke machine was added, but it was found that this sped the ride up too much. As a result, it was changed to a water-based smoke machine. When the ride first opened, the ride was completely dark. However, lights were added to the lift section of the ride, so that riders were able to brace themselves for the first drop.
For the 1988 season, the coaster was dismantled and transported to Europe, where it had an overhaul, which then allowed the ride to use dual car trains. The reconstructed coaster, complete with minor overhaul of the internal special effects, then operated briefly as "New Black Hole", and then from 1989 it operated as "Black Hole II" before reverting to the original name. The outside of the tent received a major paint job when Fantasy World became X-Sector in 1998 as a result of the installation of Oblivion
. Its original colour scheme was changed to a blue and silver mixture after the re-theme in 1998.
It was finally closed in 2005. Its location now is known, but pictures of a Black Hole looking ride being posted on the internet
In the TH13TEEN evening last year, it was confirmed that we can expect something to be built in the area in 2012. It hasn't been confirmed what it will be.
Steel roller coaster
A steel roller coaster is a roller coaster that is defined by having a track made of steel. Steel coasters have earned immense popularity in the past 50 years throughout the world...
roller coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
at Alton Towers
Alton Towers
Alton Towers is a theme park and resort located in Staffordshire, England. It attracts around 2.7 million visitors per year making it the most visited theme park in the United Kingdom. Alton Towers is also the 9th most visited theme park in Europe...
in Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
, England. It operated from 1984 until 2005. The coaster was located within a huge silvery black tent (formally green and yellow) that ensured the ride took place in total darkness. The coaster itself was a Jet Star 2, designed by Anton Schwarzkopf
Anton Schwarzkopf
Anton Schwarzkopf was a German engineer of amusement rides, and founder of the Schwarzkopf Industries company, which built numerous rides and large roller coasters for both amusement parks and travelling funfairs....
. During the time that the ride operated, the park also operated an outdoor Jet Star 3, designed first for the Alton Beast, and then the New Beast.
History
The ride was originally constructed in Fantasy Land for the 1984 season. The ride took the place of the "Dinosaur Land" attraction which was then moved into storage. Although the ride itself was space themed, this was not reflected in the ride's exterior appearance.In 1985, a number of changes were made. Firstly, the bottom of the first drop was modified slightly to make the ride run more smoothly. An oil-based smoke machine was added, but it was found that this sped the ride up too much. As a result, it was changed to a water-based smoke machine. When the ride first opened, the ride was completely dark. However, lights were added to the lift section of the ride, so that riders were able to brace themselves for the first drop.
For the 1988 season, the coaster was dismantled and transported to Europe, where it had an overhaul, which then allowed the ride to use dual car trains. The reconstructed coaster, complete with minor overhaul of the internal special effects, then operated briefly as "New Black Hole", and then from 1989 it operated as "Black Hole II" before reverting to the original name. The outside of the tent received a major paint job when Fantasy World became X-Sector in 1998 as a result of the installation of Oblivion
Oblivion (roller coaster)
Oblivion is a steel roller coaster located at Alton Towers in England. The ride opened as the world's first vertical drop roller coaster in March 1998 amidst a large publicity campaign. The ride has a height restriction of 1.4 metres...
. Its original colour scheme was changed to a blue and silver mixture after the re-theme in 1998.
It was finally closed in 2005. Its location now is known, but pictures of a Black Hole looking ride being posted on the internet
In the TH13TEEN evening last year, it was confirmed that we can expect something to be built in the area in 2012. It hasn't been confirmed what it will be.