roomraider
Best Topic Starter
Just came across this article and thought it interesting. Many of you will remember the original plan to turn the abandoned Battersea power station in London into a theme park
Original 80s vision above, later 2013 vision below.
The idea was originally around from the 80s and proposed by John Broome (at the time owner of Alton Towers among other things) but never really took off as broomes bankruptcy and the recession killed the plans in the 90s. Although this was followed by a brief revival in the 2000s before the current conversion to luxury flats was proposed (booooooo)
What I didn't know about was the plan developed in 1989 to run a shuttle train from the centrally located Victoria Station to the theme park adjacent Battersea Park station.
What was different about these trains was although they were essentially standard British rail trains they wouldn't have any windows but instead feature video screens simulating a high-speed bullet train ride to the park.
While the train was travelling at a leisurely 35mph through South London the screens would give the illusion of travelling at 150mph through a landscape of the parks creation in what was essentially an extension of the theme park experience.
The plan even got far enough along that British rail even designated a new class of train for the project and gave the carriages model numbers.
An early piece of concept art (pre screens addition unfortunately) was also created.
It sounds to me like an early version if the concept that would eventually become Hogwarts Express at Universal and would have perhaps been quite cool. However as we know the park never happened and the train plans were quietly shelved along with park.
There's more info on this weird bit of history on the always excellent Ian Visits website below.
An article with full plans for Broomes doomed 80s attempt to build a park can be found here
www.themeparktourist.com
And while it's a shame the park and train never happened. There is still a kind of ride due to open this year on the site. One of the power stations iconic towers has been turned into a unique observation deck.
Not quite a while park but funny how its come kind of full circle.
Original 80s vision above, later 2013 vision below.The idea was originally around from the 80s and proposed by John Broome (at the time owner of Alton Towers among other things) but never really took off as broomes bankruptcy and the recession killed the plans in the 90s. Although this was followed by a brief revival in the 2000s before the current conversion to luxury flats was proposed (booooooo)
What I didn't know about was the plan developed in 1989 to run a shuttle train from the centrally located Victoria Station to the theme park adjacent Battersea Park station.
What was different about these trains was although they were essentially standard British rail trains they wouldn't have any windows but instead feature video screens simulating a high-speed bullet train ride to the park.
While the train was travelling at a leisurely 35mph through South London the screens would give the illusion of travelling at 150mph through a landscape of the parks creation in what was essentially an extension of the theme park experience.
The plan even got far enough along that British rail even designated a new class of train for the project and gave the carriages model numbers.
An early piece of concept art (pre screens addition unfortunately) was also created.
It sounds to me like an early version if the concept that would eventually become Hogwarts Express at Universal and would have perhaps been quite cool. However as we know the park never happened and the train plans were quietly shelved along with park.
There's more info on this weird bit of history on the always excellent Ian Visits website below.
Unbuilt London: The Battersea Bullet train
In the late 1980s, there were plans to turn the empty hulk of Battersea Power Station into a huge theme park, and it was to come with its own high-speed rail link - the Battersea Bullet.
www.ianvisits.co.uk
An article with full plans for Broomes doomed 80s attempt to build a park can be found here
Tales from the Towers: John Broome's failed plan to turn Battersea Power Station into a theme park | Theme Park Tourist
In the 1980s, John Broome planned to turn Battersea Power Station in London into a theme park. The project was a disaster, and resulted in the sale of Alton Towers to Tussauds.
www.themeparktourist.com
And while it's a shame the park and train never happened. There is still a kind of ride due to open this year on the site. One of the power stations iconic towers has been turned into a unique observation deck.
Not quite a while park but funny how its come kind of full circle.
Last edited:
