MattLCV Posted March 23, 2007 Posted March 23, 2007 So for those who don't already know, Loudoun Castle purchased the "Space Shot" ride from defunct Southport last year. The new ride is called Barnstormer and will have an open-top barn structure around the base of the ride (hence "Barnstormer") It is sited in the Dougal McDougal's Farm area of the park, at the end of the path, opposite "Pony Trek" and will provide a focal point for the area for visitors walking along the path from Pirate Cove. Well, the first section of the tower is up, with the second part temporarily chained to it! Click here for full size Loads of construction pics in the Loudoun Castle Vaults Gallery and a new article about the construction (as well as other goings on at Loudoun) here. Also, the Loudoun Castle have kindly provided us with some drawings of how the finished ride will look: Click here for full size Should be a good season for the park this year!
socalMAN123 Posted March 24, 2007 Posted March 24, 2007 Wow, this ride looks pretty cool! Glad to see that Southport's attractions are being put to a use instead of being scrapped. Looks well themed and a good solid ride. Thanks for the info! ---Brent
Fallen Heretic Posted March 24, 2007 Posted March 24, 2007 Woo-hoo! The more rides we get up here, the better.
cobra_roll06 Posted March 24, 2007 Posted March 24, 2007 One question why did loudoun castler sell the first tower ride they had? They had it in 2001 session and im sure a few before or after that. But it was really good. Glad to see a new one is on it's way
MattLCV Posted March 24, 2007 Author Posted March 24, 2007 Different owners. From about 1999 - 2002, the park was owned by Raymond Codona. He retired in 2002 and Loudoun was bought by Henk Bembom, who had to build the park up from scratch. The park has seem huge improvement since he took over and now has a pretty bright future! I love the theming on this new ride - something Codona would never have even considered. That was a drop tower though, where as this is a shot and drop.
Nrthwnd Posted March 24, 2007 Posted March 24, 2007 Glad to see that Southport's attractions are being put to a use instead of being scrapped. Looks well themed and a good solid ride. ---Brent 'Cept for Cyclone.... But - that Space Tower upshot was my "very first one" ever. Memories already...
MattLCV Posted April 6, 2007 Author Posted April 6, 2007 Looks like you enjoyed it too, going by the photos! Anyway, the second section was lifted into place yesterday so the complete tower structure is now standing! Link Three new pics in the Construction Gallery, starting here.
Cerberus Posted April 6, 2007 Posted April 6, 2007 Are they building it on a hill? 'cause I seriously doubt that Space Shot ride was any higher than about 100ft, let alone 140... The theming is nice though
MattLCV Posted April 6, 2007 Author Posted April 6, 2007 The tower itself (the steel bit) is 130ft. They have built it on a large concrete base and are going to be adding that decor to the top - boosting it up to 140ft. Space Shot was a custom built S&S Doubleshot - the standard height for that model is 80ft.
Ed Posted April 6, 2007 Posted April 6, 2007 130ft? I didn't think it was that tall... Anywho the ride itself is excellent! Much better than Ice Blast at Blackpool.
MattLCV Posted April 30, 2007 Author Posted April 30, 2007 Yeah, it's apparently the tallest Double-Shot ride in Europe. I think there are Double-Shots the same size in North America though. New photos of testing and of the theming construction in the gallery now - starting here: Loudoun Castle Vaults Video to follow.
MattLCV Posted May 8, 2007 Author Posted May 8, 2007 Well, the testing video is here. (WMV file, 5.82mb) Apparently the ride is now operating, although the theming is still under construction.
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