Complete overhaul for Turbo at Brighton Pier

[Nic]

I popped down to the pier today and was pretty surprised by what I found!

Peeking through the fence, the coaster has completely gone. The only thing there at the moment is the base frame:

The station platform is getting some TLC too:

Sorry for the crap pictures - it was pissing it down!

Not that anyone cares, but I'll keep an eye out and try and post updates. This was actually the first I knew about this at all. I assume it'll be the same actual coaster that comes back, but I guess there's nothing to stop them just replacing it with another clone. Anyone heard any rumours?

 

[marc]

Sounds like what they done at Southend to Mega Mini.

 

[Martyn B]

It looked a right state before, so it is definitely needed.

Cant wait to see what it looks like now, I do love these little Pinfari Loopers!

 

[insanecoastervids]

Can't believe they are rehabbing a Pinfari looper

 

[Ethan]

^ Why not? New coasters are expensive. It's nice to see they're taking care of their rides, be grateful!

 

[Lofty]

It's really good that they're not just doing a 'quick' paint job on the pier like other places would do. I'm looking forward to seeing the new product.

 

[SilverArrow]

Now if they could just bring in Twist n' shout from Loudoun Castle that would be awesome!

Although the footprint for that is considerably bigger.

 

[furie]

Hopefully, they'll remember to rebuild it this time before sending out the first train of passengers

 

[Lofty]

^ I don't think they'd feel a difference in the roughness

 

[Nic]

Can't believe they are rehabbing a Pinfari looper

I can, and not just because of the cost either. Turbo is somewhat of an icon really, not just of the pier, but of the city as a whole, and in a vague way, of British seasides in general. It's appeared in numerous adverts, TV shows etc over the years. Therefore, in many ways they'd be daft to get rid of it.

Hopefully, they'll remember to rebuild it this time before sending out the first train of passengers

Hahahaha! Considering they've not that long* finished with the court cases and stuff from last time, lets hope so!

*Ok, so it was quite a long time ago now, but it was since I've been down here, so that counts!


Oh, and... I'm clearly an idiot. It would appear the station has had that same cladding and sign for ages. sorry.

PS. Just found this -

While our dear Bear Pierre is abroad having fun and enjoying the amazing Australian weather, here in the much colder Brighton Pier we have been busy.

To maintain our standards and offer you the best experience every day, we have been working very hard to accomplish the humungous task that is to dismantle and move our beloved turbo coaster to be refurbished.

It will be travelling through the country so it can be repainted sent back to us as shining as ever.

But don't you worry because both of them, our precious ride and the worldwide famous Brighton Pier's mascot will be back on time to enjoy Easter with all of you!!

http://www.brightonpier.co.uk/blog/gett ... for-easter

 

[Rachel]

Hopefully, they'll remember to rebuild it this time before sending out the first train of passengers

Haha! :lol:

Im glad Turbo is getting a bit of TLC, Brighton is one of my favourite seaside towns, will be a good reason to visit in the summer.

 

[Nic]

Nothing to report (apart from the fact that its stopped raining for long enough for the sun to come out). Have some pointless and boring photos anyway...

I think there's some more support frame stuff than there was before. Hard to see in the pic though

Pretty sure that lump of station roof down the side wasn't there before though

This lorry (its got a crane on the back) was here before, but... what does that say?...

Really?!

 

[SilverArrow]

You wouldn't think that you'd be able to get a truck down the end of the pier. Obviously you can otherwise for the rides but it doesn't seem wide enough in parts!

 

[Nic]

Yeah, I know what you mean. I'm also kinda surprised that some sections of it are strong enough to hold the weight of something so big. I've not seen them do it myself, but one of my mates has and apparently it looks pretty hard work. We were once sat in a pub discussing how he'd been watching them get the old ghost train off the pier and the new one on there, just as we looked out the window to see the old one drive past!

PS. Comparing the two photos of the base frame, it looks like they've put scaffolding around it, and are in the process of replacing it. The old bits are a red/brown colour, and the new bits bright blue.

 

[Martyn B]

So I wonder if M&D's own the coaster, and lease it to the Pier, or if they've sent it to M&D's for the refurb?

 

[Nic]

The new base frame is in, and some of the supports are starting to go back up. The platform railings are also back on site.

The only vaguely noteworthy news is that they've painted it a rather alarming combination of blue and yellow. It looks like my bedroom when I was 14. Anyway...

 

[Nic]

The coaster is on its way back to Brighton. I've just driven home from my rents, and ended up stuck in traffic next to half of it on the M25. I then stopped off at Pease Pottage to find the other half of it sat there waiting, where it was soon joined by the one I'd seen earlier. The first one I saw was carrying the loop supports, a load of track, and a handful of other supports. The one at the services was carrying what I imagine to be the rest of the track and supports.

Uber goon fact for the day: The M&D's lorries being used to transport it back down are called Macy and Byron.

In good news, the blue colour they've used for the track looks a lot better than the stuff they've used on the station. It's a bit darker - more of a royal blue. The colours actually look pretty good together, and I imagine it will look nice when its back up. Shame they couldn't have taken a sample to Dulux to get a better match for doing the station! haha!

So, assuming they deliver it tonight or tomorrow and it takes a few days to put up, that'll still only leave them just over a week of testing before their Easter deadline. I'm guessing that's enough, but its only just occurred to me just how soon Easter is!

If the weather brightens up at all this week, I might pop down and get some pics.

Edit: Popped down the shop, and look what drove past the end of the road on my way back!

 

[Mysterious Sue]

You are such a goon! Love it.

It'll be nice to see Turbo with a lick of paint. Doubt it'll make it any smoother though!

 

[Martyn B]

You never know, it may get new trains....?

 

[Nic]

You're telling me that if you saw a cred drive past your road, you wouldn't take photos?

I hadn't even thought about the trains! Ooooh! Wonder when they'll trundle past?!