Was anyone here around when The Reel was demolished? I imagine it had the same sort of impact the demolition of the Mouse does - a wild ride many people had fond memories of, but unceremoniously demolished at the age of 60. Obviously there wouldn't have been social media or the Internet to discuss it on, but in terms of what coaster enthusiasts, regular visitors to the park and even locals, I imagine they would have had the same reaction to the news of the Reel's demolition as we have to the Mouse's demolition.
Look back a few posts!
Watched it go at the time...it was falling apart with rot, and the ride staff struggled to get the cars pushed through the station due to the supports softening.
It was strange watching it go, a bit like peeling an onion at times, layers and layers of plywood had been nailed over the top of each other over the years, all painted in different styles through the decades.
There was no great fuss, a few of us stood and watched, I will even admit shedding a tear.
No computers, no fanboy community at all back then apart from a few individuals speaking by landline, or sending each other nice letters and photos.
How very quaint.
I then took the pony and trap home, paying the halfpenny toll over the river at Preston.
It was replaced by a few (very popular) flats, then the Globe tent was put up for shows.
There is no chance of it ever being redone, it was a massive structure, but I have rebuilt it in my head many times.