Cannonball Express

If they added another car and gave it a proper theme it would make the ride twice as good Imho

Theyve also put like a tin roof over the end of the queue line, dont remember seeing it before, looks pretty rough

It looks like its from a few years ago. I recall one year the park saying that its having some work done so it can run in the rain, might have been when Ben Rowe was on the old forum? Weird that they said that nobody was willing to under take the work, no wonder they've had difficulties with it.

That's pretty cool, I did notice brand new motors on eggspress lift hill on sunday, so hopefully that will now carry a full train after covid.

I don’t know when this was from but I have been looking around the web for Pleasurewood Hills keywords and found this:

https://www.brevini.co.uk/service/case-studies/pleasurewood-hills-theme-park-bespoke-bevel-helical-gearboxes-maintenance/

it mentions Enigma so was maybe a few years ago.

Yeah it's a shame that the park haven't really bothered to continue with the updates like they did earlier in the year.

Any update on this :(

Apparently The Cannonball Express can’t reopen because there was a electrical failure on a “Nic inspection“ what ever that means that I’ve just read on a comment on Instagram

I think it will. Although it is odd how a few minor repairs/modifications can take so long.

Do we even suspect it will return at all ? As I've said since season start it was bizarre that it was given a press release, they knew then it would not open in 2019

That's the same info that's been given out since the park announced it would be shut. I'd hope they will put a second train on the circuit, but I wouldn't expect it,

According to this page on the official website https://pleasurewoodhills.com/cannonball-express-closed/

"The works are being carried out in Boston Lincolnshire and they include new carrying wheels, new drive swords as well as the installation of a new air tank. Also included are the installation and fitting of brand new wheels, all of these will allow the Cannonball Express to operate in the rain, so if the heavens decide to open, the fun will carry on."

Looks like just the one train will be returning.

I never really understood why they bothered to change the name back, but did nothing else with it. It may as well still be called Enigma.

I'm actually disappointed that they plan to get it open this year, that confirms that no extra work will be taking place on it.

It needs to be running 2 trains minimum, ideally a 3rd spare. I like that it's gong back to cannonball express but would like to see some theming around. Could a tunnel be built over one of the low helix' s or something perhaps.

They could be adding theming back to it. Personally id like to see the track repainted and maybe the side fences painted properly as well.

Official confirmation from the park that the Cannonball Express will be out of action for "The peak season". They are hoping to get it up and running before the end of the year.

Other than a couple of new trains, what other refurb is there? it could be painted i guess but that can be done during the graveyard seasons.

When was their comment edited as I'm sure it said this when it was originally put on. I doubt we will see it for 2019. Not now

Weirdly, they've gone back and edited their post, they've now changed it to "closed for the peak season" instead "closed for 2019"... Now essentially you could say that's good news, but to me that just implies that it'll be fixed then reopened, instead of having a proper refurb job. I would rather it remained closed all year and come back looking fresh.

Yet what do we think the fault was or is ? Was the train story that was fed to the media at the start of season made up or did the strip down of the train reveal it was knackered too ? I suspect that as new wheels etc would not have taken too long to sort out. Let's hope with it now being sbno since season close and most likely well into this coming season close that the ride will survive being sbno

This news was to be expected really. I would imagine it will return in 2020 looking all fresh, but as I said before, I'll be disappointed if the only "new" attraction for 2020 is reopening another dormant ride....

The marketing does write itself but I doubt we would ever see a bespoke coaster for the park.

I hope so, it’s a cracking ride. Shame if it leaves.

Will it even return ? Doubtful I'd say

Official confirmation from the park on Facebook: The Cannonball Express will remain closed for the rest of the season.

Even when it was running with multiple trains I never remember them using the block sections on the main track. They always used to wait for the previous train to hit the brake run before sending another train which would wait at the top of the lift hill.

They'll just have to buy another lol, how much can a new one really be

All them cars lost...and now it seems the final one has too

Well they would have been block sections when it would run multiple trains....

The most that need to be on track is 3, but it can run with more than that. Weirdly I remember saying on the old forum that I remembered there being 6, 4 on track 2 spares and was told it only came with 4. But I distinctly remember Red, Purple, Blue, Green, Yellow/Umbre coloured trains.

With more than 3 they just end up queuing in the sections between unload and load.

Does anyone know if the brakes at the high end of the track on each level are block sections or just trims?

And it actually had 6 when it used to be owned by German showman Kinzler!

Had 5 when it came to us, I recall 4 being used. We have so many ride issues at the park !

I don’t think it’s ever ran with more than 2 trains has it?

Why hope for only 2 trains, if they are going to spend the money put it back as it should be with 4 trains. 1 Loading / Going up the lift, 1 unloading / in the queue area, 1 going round, 1 spare to cover for maintainence.

Or replace the whole thing with a B&M launched wing coaster.

Too much to ask?! :)

I’d love to see it come back with 2 trains. It’s throughput at the moment is painfully slow and any retheme/rebrand without the second train would be a PR nightmare for them as it would attract so many people and it would just be negative overtones due to the insane queue it would cause. Would love to see it though as such s great coaster.

A removed sign could it goes either way still. It defo isn't opening anytime soon, that's for sure.

I'd actually be disappointed if they scrapped the whole Cannonball theme. It's not had the actual "theme" for like 15 years. Come back in 2020 with "the all new cannonball express " please.

Thinking the retheme seems likely. Especially since I saw on my last visit that the sign has been removed.

Yeh true

But it's only a 'one off' due to its layout. The Schwarzkopf trains are mostly interchangeable. Gerstlauer also make new trains for Schwarzkopf coasters, so anything is possible, it just all boils down to money.

The best news is that the ride will return and ideally with two trains what a treat and relief that would be. It will all come down to money

I wonder if anyone thinks that a refurbishment is money wasted if the attraction can only ever be run with one train?

I suspect the answer would be yes, if the coaster was a more common type as opposed to the one off that it is.

Thoughts?

I see the park are again advertising fireball on their social media...with comments saying basically it's not a ride anymore amongst other thoughts

^ anything can be repaired!

Its whether they deem it financially viable to spend the money on such a ride.

That's where I'm getting the rebrand vibes from. A replacement will cost a lot more than any repair bill.

They seem to be making a lot of positive moves recently...

Unless it's just not repairable...

Yea if they're spending lots on it it may aswell stay closed and get a full makeover, I think everybody would respect them more if they just came out and said what was happening