I’ll never forget the smell of the ultimate when it opened in 1991, you could smell the wood from the entrance at the other end of the park. A once great place with the rat ride & the soopa loopa & then the ultimate.
Great video. Really sad when I heard the news The Ultimate would be demolished, so many happy nostalgic memories attached to it. Wish the Brighton Pier group would open it for one more season so give people the opportunity for a last ride - thousands would visit to say goodbye.
I understand from A senior engineer whom was at British Rail research Derby, that the control system for the roller coaster was based upon Railway Signalling Relay interlocking,
This was the first proper roller-coaster I ever rode, and there is nothing quite like the feeling of dropping down the second lift hill into the woods. Great ride, will be missed.
@@FriktionMedia British rail was the laughing stock of Europe. Carriages were old and dirty, overcrowded, always late or cancelled, expensive, and the Stations in 1980 looked barely different from 1950. That's what you get when you let Governments run public services. ruclips.net/video/w9qoWWSkJZo/видео.html
Very good. Thanks also for crediting me for the images used. Shame it's closed. The Simon Mayo breakfast show on Radio 1 held a competition to come up with the name. Also remember a feature on the ride on Blue Peter when John Leslie paid a visit just after it opened
Nicely done video. I did a track walk for its birthday over a decade ago with UKRides and was aware of the BR origins. The old OTSR’s were stored under the first lift hill at this point. Another fun fact - they never had any permanent grid power at that end of the park - for all of its life it was run from a generator!
I have never seen this rollercoaster so I was fascinated by your video. The story of its construction was riveting (no pun intended). I wish that we had visited Lightwater Valley and this ride, because it is so unusual travelling across country like that.
Thanks for the video we have footage of our days spent at Lightwater Valley, we traveled up from the Midlands, long journey, but well worth it to ride the Ultimate great coaster. Sorry it’s days are numbered😢 glad I have the footage. Goodbye Ultimate thank you for the thrills of riding, you will be missed😢
You can tell that this was built to last, Darren. It should never have closed, and that thing we've had to put up with over the last three years has not helped one bit!!! This rollercoaster should never be dismantled for scrap, and I hope that some concern can do something with it, or else the whole area will turn into another totally and absolutely unnecessary housing estate - God forbid!! Many thanks for this crucial video showing.
Cows refusing to produce milk is a suggestion that goes back to the very earliest days of railways. I have heard similar things such as 'the air being sucked from our bodies' as a fear of a proposed wind turbine.
As you have, I rode the ultimte probably hundreds of times along with operating it whilst working at the park many years ago. It still held the thrill no matter how many times you rode it, yes it was rough but that was part of its charm. I remember my first time as a young kid, with the overhead restraints, no other class member would go on the ride with me so the coach driver stepped up and went with me. I can’t believe the change the park has made and to not include the main draw in the future has me baffled. A ride that will live on through RUclips and memories, a sad loss of such a icon!
Excellent film Darren. I went on this for the first time in 91 in the first week when it opened. I still have the picture of myself and my dad in the front carriage when it had the overhead restraints. It was after the 2nd lift hill this thing really kicked in. I've never to this day felt g forces on a ride since. When that thing hit the bends on the route back to the park it was brutal on the neck. I only ever rode it the few times I did that day but I will never forget it. And the part about the replacement bus made me laugh. I heard they actually used a tractor to pull the train back to the station When it didn't make it back...hence the 'road/track' that runs alongside the run in back to the park 😁
@@AdventureMe fantastic 😁😂 where else in the world could you ride the world's longest rollercoaster...built by Britsh Rail...that occasionally they may have to bring in a JCB to get you to your final destination 😁😁😁
Fascinating stuff. I did drive trains for BRITISH RAIL at one point in my career and although i never went to Lightwater Valley, we did see at Chessington World of Adventures a day outing of train drivers and guards with their families riding on the Runaway Train, which made us all laugh.
Absolutely gutted this is going! I went to Lightwater once in 2013 and it was shut that day, one classic UK coater ill never get to ride now. Brilliant information in this one!
Thanks - that was really interesting - never knew this existed. It makes me sad that such a unique ride that used the undulations of the land for its thrills is set to be demolished. it's like a one of a kind coaster that we'll not see again and the history behind it will only be left in videos like yours.
Loved the photo of you on the ride! Never been to Light Water Valley. Only American Adventure and Alton Towers. But it did look like a very exciting ride to have been on. Its such a shame that all these rides and theme parks that open never survive forever. Fingers crossed it gets saved so we can see you riding it again! Another unmissable Video from you Darren. 🙂
So sad that this magical part of my childhood is being demolished 😭 I have so many great memories of days out at lightwater valley riding this classic British coaster. Truly a loss for the amusement park history in the UK
I used to work on the ultimate for 2 seasons in the 90's. I remember one day as the train came in there was a dead deer straddling the engine. It had tried to cross the track at the wrong moment. Thankfully nobody was injured but those in the front were well shocked. The deer was strung up and left for a bit until it went to a butcher. It was a great ride.
@@AdventureMe I think it was 93 & 94. In 93 I was dealing with the queue for the ultimate and other rides. 94 I graduated to the control room setting off the ride. I also got to drive the train, zzzzz. 94 would have been the deer incident as I was in the control room then.
Fun Fact - if you remember the Singer Rozalla, this was her favourite rollercoaster! That was the reason she allowed Lightwater Valley to use her song in their advertising.
Still think the Brighton Pier group have made a big mistake in closing and removing the Ultimate, its the only thing that most people will know about lightwater valley.
Only ever ridden this coaster twice, both being on the back row. I glad I did and very sad that the new owners don’t realise what they have. I probably won’t ever visit this park again due to this, but it will live forever in my memory.
I remember going on The Ultimate about 20 years ago, leaning out at the top of the first lift hill to try to grab one of the bras that was on the post for the teenage cred such a thing was sure to gain me, and having the restraint pop up. It went back down, but I wedged myself into that seat so hard I don't think I'd have needed it anyway. White as a sheet when I got off.
Brilliant video, thank you so much. This holds a dear place in my heart and it was wonderful to hear it obviously does the same for you. Absolute madness that they have decided to tear it down. I completely understand it as a financial nightmare but it's a real piece of theme park history and deserved so much better. Absolutely gorgeous drone footage too, thanks for sharing!
wow who would of thought British Rail would have built a rollercoaster Great documentary shame it’s time is up as it’s got to be totally unique in its construction method
Amazing and interesting video Darren, thanks. They did have a replacement bus service though for the ride, well so to speak. It was a JCB at the end of the the ride just after the last bend toward the station, as in certain weather conditions I believe the train could stall/valley before the last short lift hill into the station. The JCB would pull the train in the last few meters if necessary.
The last great ride light water valley has closed /due to be removed aswell 😢 no more visits to thier for me loved the ultimate. Much appreciated video 🙏
I think Looping Group should buy Lightwater Valley as the owners clearly don't understand how to run a theme park this big plus Looping group have done wonders for Drayton Manor and they did it the right way, in my opinion Lightwater Valley has done the exact same thing as what American Adventure did.
Seeing this ride on Jim’ll fix it is what started me off on a lifetime of amazing rollercoaster adventures. I’ve got a lot to thank it for and I’m sad to see it go.
@@AdventureMe after seeing that edition of Jim fix it, I wrote a letter to the young lad on the show to ask if he wanted to be pen pals. He wrote back straight away and we’ve been lifelong coaster buddies ever since!
Excellent video. I remember travelling all the way to Lightwater Valley only for it not go have opened for the season. Pre smart phones so no checks made beforehand. A shame I missed out as I did know about the British Rail connection.
Loved this completely Darren. You have put a tremendous amount of thought and effort into this as you always do. This is completely different to others you've done. Wonder if they will sell parts of it, for keep's sake. More than likely be sold as scrap metal. This is well-scripted. Nature has taken over as usual. Would need volunteers to clear vegetation up ever to open. Obviously not as mentioned. Look forward to LWV part 2.
Excellent production Darren well done. I had no idea BR were involved in its construction however i always thought it was like riding an express train when I visited for my first ride on it in 1997. Loved it and always was excited to revisit the park every summer to ride again. It could be brutal though and often you come off feeling like your done ten rounds in a boxing match. I’m sad it’s going for good. Nice production.
haha loved the British Rail comment. Such a shame its not reopening, although I do think it was always going to be the outcome when they went down the family adventure park route. Aother great theme park gone.
Wish I could find my DeLorean time machine and go back and ride the Ultimate Coaster, what a ride it must have been. Steel Dragon may have been longer, but the Ultimate coaster had more "Charm" as it went through the countryside, trees and all. I'm not sure things work in the UK but couldn't some $$$ be gotten from the funds that help restore and maintain historical locations be spent on the coaster, it may not be that old but does have historical value. Darren, maybe you could keep the coaster in the public eye and be its savior.
I rode this on 21 August 2014, fulfilling a long time ambition to do so. According to my metadata, at 11.12 am ! It had been a long time ambition of mine since I first heard about it. Apart from the 2 lift sections the rest of the ride was approx 24 inches off the ground. I dont like heights, but thought that I could cope with just the 2 lifts. About a month after I rode it a deer jumped the wire fence and decided to be the mascot on the front coach ! The folk in the first couple of rows got covered in its remains !
Oh dang... I arrived into the area where I live during the Covid, and was hoping to try this unique coaster out if it ever opened. I had coasted down a narrow gauge railway (formerly used for logging) a couple of times, fun thing, and like how similar this coaster is in atmosphere, running through the woods. Something which truly wouldn't be found elsewhere, of course not in small part due to its backstory.
My favorite ride ,the bumps were an added bonus ,it was more like a runaway mine train .Shame the Brighton pier company couldn't of kept this iconic coaster as Blackpool have done with a few of theirs.
No matter how ruff that ride is i love it and it's a British icon it's still the worlds second longest i think we shuld start something to get it reopened what a shame.
I had a birthday there about 35 years ago and still have a photo of me on "The Rat" - later renamed Raptor Attack. I took my own daughter a few years ago and very glad I took the opportunity to ride The Ultimate now I realise it was my final chance. It was quite uncomfortable but also rather surreal how it spent so long snaking through the trees.
It's silly that they closed this down rather than refurbish it. I live only 45 minutes away from here so visiting was my schools' big day out. Throughout my school years, The Ultimate was one of my favourite things to look forward to. I hope that Lightwater Valley are able to keep their appeal to children going forward, this was their star attraction. I'm curious to see if they'll ever be able to replace such an icon with something equally as good so that when my kids visit, they'll make as many happy memories of the place as I was able to. EDIT: To add, I'm happy you've mentioned the over-head restraints. When I went on with those, I came off the ride with a banging headache. Obviously, my group of friends trying to be "manly" never would admit to it. At the time, I always thought that I was just weak compared to them. In our adult years though, talking about experiences in school with them, finally had us able to admit and laugh about it. So yeah, you're right in saying those restraints were painful (they were so much worse than just painful haha!), and we were glad to see them gone.
Was absolutely heartbroken with the news, and still am. Because... there'll never be a ride like this again. Health and safety wouldn't allow for it. I love crazy rides, and even rides that are the touted as the 'scariest' in the world don't match up to the sheer intensity of... THAT CORNERING. I'm going to miss this one until the end!!..
Wow I rode this in the mid 90's on a family holiday, it was sponsored by Pepsi at the time I think. A cracking ride and I had no idea of the BR involvement, so this was really interesting. I do remember us also going on the pirate ship which made my dad feel so ill that he couldn't stomach a second ride on the ultimate 😄
Absolutely loved The Ultimate well worth the long drive up from Cheshire to Ripon Loved the first drop at the very front 1st time then the very last carriage again,back of the coaster you got whipped over the drop exhilarating terrifying but fantastic and then the second drop way more terrifying and faster,absolutely brilliant Very sad to see it’s derelict now but hey,always have those memories am giddy just thinking about it now even.thankyou for posting Great blogs as always X
Very fond memories of this ride. Was my first ever 'big' roller coaster. I was too short to ride when i first visited and was so upset. but went back several years in a row after and road it many times during the 90s. I remember it being painful the last time i road it during my mid teens. Sad to see it go, but so happy to have experienced it! I loved sitting at the back, so it whips you down the drops :D
For those of us that grew up on the game Roller Coaster Tycoon, an homage to this park and coaster exists in the scenario "Katie's Dreamworld" (or Katie's World depending on region). There's a colossal roller coaster called "The Storm" that sports an almost identical track layout with the two distinctive lift hills, figure 8 tunnel and the blue train design for the vehicles. I'd like to add that this was a very captivating documentary, concise and informative. Great job!
@@AdventureMe I knew about the in-game ride being a recreation, but I didn't know the some of the in game sounds originating from the real park too! Thanks for sharing more interesting little factoids!
Great rollercoaster and an iconic one at that. You’d to love the youth club trips to Lightwater valley with all the other council estate kids, causing havoc but having great fun. Such as shame they’ve let it rot like that and we’ll never see it in operation again. Went down hill when they got rid of the rat!
I remember riding The Ultimate 10 times over on a school trip back in 93. Such a unique coster! Very interesting and well put together story of The Ultimate.
First I heard that it has retired. Surprised I didn't see it in the news. I rode it a few times in 2014, and do remember that it does throw you about a lot. Its a shame it is going, but a wooden rollercoaster doesn't exactly have a 120 year operational expectation that a British railway does, and after 30 years I presume it would require more and more works to keep it in a safe working order.
Well technically it was a steel coaster. Only the lifts were wood. But they are in really good nick. It was the steel track that needed replacing believe it or not.
That was a very interesting video, had no idea that British Rail had got involved with this project, that when British rail were at the best, great video 👏
Excellent documentary and nice to see something not too far from me (In Redcar). Interesting to note that Lightwater Valley is returning to its roots and focusing on the younger generations.
Brilliant documentary, thanks so much for this. Gutted about its demolition but even more so that I never got to ride it (or even visit Lightwater Valley), and now that the park is more aimed at kids, with mine being grown up, I doubt I ever will. Massive shame. Keep up your great work.
Thank you so much for this video about the one roller coaster that I have been dying to ride ever since I first saw it on TV when it opened. I have always had a fascination with terrain coasters and there was no longer terrain coaster than The Ultimate. I had the chance to possibly ride it when I visited London for the first time in about 2018 (I am in California) but I just did not have the time to make it out to Lightwater Valley. After that vacation, I just thought that I'd ride The Ultimate on my next trip to the UK. Unfortunately, with the announcement about The Ultimate's fate in 2023, I will never get my chance to finally ride it. Sadly, all I have are on ride videos of The Ultimate. With its demise, I think that it is safe to say that I will never visit Lightwater Valley any time soon. Thank you again for the video even though it is very sad.
Thanks for doing these videos, it would be nice if the park would cut up a piece of track into small pieces to sell to the public who loved this ride or maybe the wheels on the train so we can keep a part of this awesome coaster forever.
I have fond memories of riding on the Ultimate with my kids, and it was a very rough ride! For the last few years, Lightwater Valley has always seemed like a park on the brink of closure. It's rides are getting tired and there seems to be little investment in it. I'm not surprised that it's concetrating on younger, smaller and probably cheaper rides, which is a shame as it used to be a great place for a day out.
Very interesting video! I've subscribed to your channel after watching this. I'm absolutely gutted that it hasn't reopened after the pandemic. Growing up with visits to Lightwater Valley, the Ultimate was the highlight of the day. Absolutely brilliant roller-coaster and did well to stay running for many years. What a shame!
Fond memories of going round on this during the 90’s, also remember getting stuck on the uphill sections on more than one occasion 😂 thanks for recommending this RUclips!
It’s pretty, but so unusual to see it running through the middle of a forested area. There’s no way for the operators to see the whole ride without driving around to inspect it. I’m thinking what would happen if a large branch fell across the track during operation. The next train to come through would smash right into it.
Hi I was the Engineer in charge of the ultimate maintenance years ago (the photograph at the start of the video of the red train going up the lift is in-fact mine when the train ran under my name Jim’s Jet. Every morning a track walk was performed. Which included a full track inspection on foot to check track condition and included the surrounding trees. We would removed any that needed attending to. During the day there was various other tasks around the track performing inspections and maintenance and this would also include riding the trains to ensure plenty of clearance from over hanging beaches etc.
That was a nice trip down memory lane for you Darren, thanks for sharing those photos 👏👏 Lots of great detail in your video. Well done!? Good luck from Spain!!
Omg mind blown 💥 I swear I knew it was when I was little riding this rollercoaster too. Always knew I loved it for a reason 😊 Devastated it's closed for good 😭 Awesome video, thank you 🙏
Really good to have that Ultimate documented so well on video. I never rode it and so was hoping if not expecting they would bring it back about 5 years later. I didn’t know it was built on sleepers. I wonder if his vision would have better suited a powered coaster
Robert of course father of Amanda Staveley notably connected with Middle Eastern investors and helped a Saudi consortium take over Newcastle United. Good memories of the park when our kids were little and the Ultimate. Now of course families trot off to Disneyland routinely - how times change.
What an informative video Darren, who would have known BR’s involvement. I can vouch for the uneven track I pulled my back once on a flat section of the ride around 2000.
im so upset that their planning to tear it down, my little girl is 6 and really getting into rollercoasters and i was really loking forward to taking her on the ultermate, give its not far from teesside.
This was a fantastic coaster, I visited in the mid 90's that drop into the valley and the banked turns where you felt as if your head was skimming the grass.
I remember going on this ride, must have been quite new as all the wood looked very fresh. I just remember it being really long, I mean ridiculously long, like wondering when it was going to end! It mostly followed the naturally sloping ground contours, it just seemed to go on forever and went round much of the park including parts that didn't look like part of the park like empty fields.😲⚠️ It wasn't particularly fast or intense, the tall drops were fun but the rest was mostly just a relaxed pleasant ride, rather than anything thrilling. 👍 I must admit the amount of wood in the construction made it look very DIY rather than professionally engineered. I wasn't aware of British Rails involvement but I guess it makes sense, especially the 'train' like design in the carriages and the trellis bridge type wooden construction. Edit- sad to hear it's no longer running but hopeful it's still standing! 👍
That was a fascinating documentary on an iconic rollercoaster. Brilliant piece of work. Thank you!
Many thanks!
I’ll never forget the smell of the ultimate when it opened in 1991, you could smell the wood from the entrance at the other end of the park. A once great place with the rat ride & the soopa loopa & then the ultimate.
Yes I totally remember that too. And the garlic smell in the woods.
Great video. Really sad when I heard the news The Ultimate would be demolished, so many happy nostalgic memories attached to it. Wish the Brighton Pier group would open it for one more season so give people the opportunity for a last ride - thousands would visit to say goodbye.
Couldn't agree more.
Seems very mean 😢
I understand from A senior engineer whom was at British Rail research Derby, that the control system for the roller coaster was based upon Railway Signalling Relay interlocking,
Brilliant. Wish I'd known that snippet before. Another BR quirk.
This was the first proper roller-coaster I ever rode, and there is nothing quite like the feeling of dropping down the second lift hill into the woods. Great ride, will be missed.
Couldn't agree more!
The last great thing British Rail did.
Thanks for the like.
And the first 😂 jk
British Rail did lots of good things, it was government privatisation that wrecked it.
@Oliver I They were particularly good at massive train crashes killing tens of people each time
@@FriktionMedia British rail was the laughing stock of Europe. Carriages were old and dirty, overcrowded, always late or cancelled, expensive, and the Stations in 1980 looked barely different from 1950. That's what you get when you let Governments run public services. ruclips.net/video/w9qoWWSkJZo/видео.html
4:49 if that rail replacement bus was a bit of an intended joke youve certainly won me over with a bit of an amuzement
Very good. Thanks also for crediting me for the images used. Shame it's closed.
The Simon Mayo breakfast show on Radio 1 held a competition to come up with the name. Also remember a feature on the ride on Blue Peter when John Leslie paid a visit just after it opened
No problem. Thanks for them. I love your little collection you have.
Nicely done video. I did a track walk for its birthday over a decade ago with UKRides and was aware of the BR origins. The old OTSR’s were stored under the first lift hill at this point. Another fun fact - they never had any permanent grid power at that end of the park - for all of its life it was run from a generator!
Yeah I remember the generator hut. I don't recall seeing the restraints but I did see the old train shells in the storage area.
I have never seen this rollercoaster so I was fascinated by your video. The story of its construction was riveting (no pun intended). I wish that we had visited Lightwater Valley and this ride, because it is so unusual travelling across country like that.
Yeah it was so unique in a good way.
Thanks for the video we have footage of our days spent at Lightwater Valley, we traveled up from the Midlands, long journey, but well worth it to ride the Ultimate great coaster. Sorry it’s days are numbered😢 glad I have the footage. Goodbye Ultimate thank you for the thrills of riding, you will be missed😢
Glad you enjoyed it
You can tell that this was built to last, Darren. It should never have closed, and that thing we've had to put up with over the last three years has not helped one bit!!! This rollercoaster should never be dismantled for scrap, and I hope that some concern can do something with it, or else the whole area will turn into another totally and absolutely unnecessary housing estate - God forbid!! Many thanks for this crucial video showing.
Cows refusing to produce milk is a suggestion that goes back to the very earliest days of railways. I have heard similar things such as 'the air being sucked from our bodies' as a fear of a proposed wind turbine.
As you have, I rode the ultimte probably hundreds of times along with operating it whilst working at the park many years ago. It still held the thrill no matter how many times you rode it, yes it was rough but that was part of its charm. I remember my first time as a young kid, with the overhead restraints, no other class member would go on the ride with me so the coach driver stepped up and went with me. I can’t believe the change the park has made and to not include the main draw in the future has me baffled. A ride that will live on through RUclips and memories, a sad loss of such a icon!
Thanks Tim. Yeah I totally agree. I can't get my head round it.
Excellent film Darren. I went on this for the first time in 91 in the first week when it opened. I still have the picture of myself and my dad in the front carriage when it had the overhead restraints. It was after the 2nd lift hill this thing really kicked in. I've never to this day felt g forces on a ride since. When that thing hit the bends on the route back to the park it was brutal on the neck. I only ever rode it the few times I did that day but I will never forget it. And the part about the replacement bus made me laugh. I heard they actually used a tractor to pull the train back to the station When it didn't make it back...hence the 'road/track' that runs alongside the run in back to the park 😁
Yes they sure did. I saw them hauling it back with a JCB.
@@AdventureMe fantastic 😁😂 where else in the world could you ride the world's longest rollercoaster...built by Britsh Rail...that occasionally they may have to bring in a JCB to get you to your final destination 😁😁😁
Thanks Darren, that was both fascinating and hilarious!
Fascinating stuff. I did drive trains for BRITISH RAIL at one point in my career and although i never went to Lightwater Valley, we did see at Chessington World of Adventures a day outing of train drivers and guards with their families riding on the Runaway Train, which made us all laugh.
Ohhhh Hard. What tough nerven.
Beautiful memories. Thank you Darren
Bey
My pleasure!
Absolutely gutted this is going! I went to Lightwater once in 2013 and it was shut that day, one classic UK coater ill never get to ride now. Brilliant information in this one!
Me too mate
Thanks - that was really interesting - never knew this existed. It makes me sad that such a unique ride that used the undulations of the land for its thrills is set to be demolished. it's like a one of a kind coaster that we'll not see again and the history behind it will only be left in videos like yours.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Loved the photo of you on the ride! Never been to Light Water Valley. Only American Adventure and Alton Towers.
But it did look like a very exciting ride to have been on. Its such a shame that all these rides and theme parks that open never survive forever. Fingers crossed it gets saved so we can see you riding it again! Another unmissable Video from you Darren. 🙂
Thank you. I hope to have another go.
So sad that this magical part of my childhood is being demolished 😭
I have so many great memories of days out at lightwater valley riding this classic British coaster.
Truly a loss for the amusement park history in the UK
It is very sad
By far, my favourite roller coaster and it is sad to see its demise.
I used to work on the ultimate for 2 seasons in the 90's. I remember one day as the train came in there was a dead deer straddling the engine. It had tried to cross the track at the wrong moment. Thankfully nobody was injured but those in the front were well shocked. The deer was strung up and left for a bit until it went to a butcher. It was a great ride.
Thanks Harry. What year did you work on it?
@@AdventureMe I think it was 93 & 94. In 93 I was dealing with the queue for the ultimate and other rides. 94 I graduated to the control room setting off the ride. I also got to drive the train, zzzzz. 94 would have been the deer incident as I was in the control room then.
Ahh so the early years then. You probably operated when I had my photo on it in 94
Fun Fact - if you remember the Singer Rozalla, this was her favourite rollercoaster! That was the reason she allowed Lightwater Valley to use her song in their advertising.
Thanks Robert. I never knew that.
Still think the Brighton Pier group have made a big mistake in closing and removing the Ultimate, its the only thing that most people will know about lightwater valley.
I agree
Thanks Darren for my sunday treat
Any time!
Only ever ridden this coaster twice, both being on the back row. I glad I did and very sad that the new owners don’t realise what they have. I probably won’t ever visit this park again due to this, but it will live forever in my memory.
Me neither. I used to go once a year. Not anymore
I remember going on The Ultimate about 20 years ago, leaning out at the top of the first lift hill to try to grab one of the bras that was on the post for the teenage cred such a thing was sure to gain me, and having the restraint pop up. It went back down, but I wedged myself into that seat so hard I don't think I'd have needed it anyway. White as a sheet when I got off.
Sounds scary. I remember the bra's on the lift hill.
Brilliant video, thank you so much. This holds a dear place in my heart and it was wonderful to hear it obviously does the same for you.
Absolute madness that they have decided to tear it down. I completely understand it as a financial nightmare but it's a real piece of theme park history and deserved so much better.
Absolutely gorgeous drone footage too, thanks for sharing!
Thank you. Yes it was probably my fave coaster as it was so unique
wow who would of thought British Rail would have built a rollercoaster
Great documentary shame it’s time is up as it’s got to be totally unique in its construction method
It sure is. And most people had never heard of it.
Amazing and interesting video Darren, thanks.
They did have a replacement bus service though for the ride, well so to speak. It was a JCB at the end of the the ride just after the last bend toward the station, as in certain weather conditions I believe the train could stall/valley before the last short lift hill into the station. The JCB would pull the train in the last few meters if necessary.
Yes it did. I remember watching it.
Great video. Documentary quality.
Much appreciated!
The last great ride light water valley has closed /due to be removed aswell 😢 no more visits to thier for me loved the ultimate.
Much appreciated video
🙏
I think Looping Group should buy Lightwater Valley as the owners clearly don't understand how to run a theme park this big plus Looping group have done wonders for Drayton Manor and they did it the right way, in my opinion Lightwater Valley has done the exact same thing as what American Adventure did.
Seeing this ride on Jim’ll fix it is what started me off on a lifetime of amazing rollercoaster adventures. I’ve got a lot to thank it for and I’m sad to see it go.
Me too. My childhood memories
@@AdventureMe after seeing that edition of Jim fix it, I wrote a letter to the young lad on the show to ask if he wanted to be pen pals. He wrote back straight away and we’ve been lifelong coaster buddies ever since!
Excellent video. I remember travelling all the way to Lightwater Valley only for it not go have opened for the season. Pre smart phones so no checks made beforehand. A shame I missed out as I did know about the British Rail connection.
Loved this completely Darren. You have put a tremendous amount of thought and effort into this as you always do. This is completely different to others you've done. Wonder if they will sell parts of it, for keep's sake. More than likely be sold as scrap metal. This is well-scripted. Nature has taken over as usual. Would need volunteers to clear vegetation up ever to open. Obviously not as mentioned. Look forward to LWV part 2.
Thanks mate. It was a personal passion of mine.
Showing the railway technology made the video much more interesting.
Excellent production Darren well done. I had no idea BR were involved in its construction however i always thought it was like riding an express train when I visited for my first ride on it in 1997. Loved it and always was excited to revisit the park every summer to ride again. It could be brutal though and often you come off feeling like your done ten rounds in a boxing match. I’m sad it’s going for good. Nice production.
Many thanks!
haha loved the British Rail comment. Such a shame its not reopening, although I do think it was always going to be the outcome when they went down the family adventure park route. Aother great theme park gone.
Yeah. I think we all saw it coming. Which is why I went in 2019.
Another piece of history beautifully captured for years to come. Great work as ever Darren. 👍
Many thanks!
Wish I could find my DeLorean time machine and go back and ride the Ultimate Coaster, what a ride it must have been. Steel Dragon may have been longer, but the Ultimate coaster had more "Charm" as it went through the countryside, trees and all. I'm not sure things work in the UK but couldn't some $$$ be gotten from the funds that help restore and maintain historical locations be spent on the coaster, it may not be that old but does have historical value. Darren, maybe you could keep the coaster in the public eye and be its savior.
Thanks Mike. It was truly unique. I'm not sure I can do anything unless I have about £4 million spare lol
@@AdventureMe If I win the MEGA MILLION lotto I'll give you a call......
Scheduled to run every 15 mins but true to form, it's actually every 17 - 20 mins. Ah, BR, never change.
I found it rather gentle as a ride, I loved it.
I rode this on 21 August 2014, fulfilling a long time ambition to do so. According to my metadata, at 11.12 am ! It had been a long time ambition of mine since I first heard about it. Apart from the 2 lift sections the rest of the ride was approx 24 inches off the ground. I dont like heights, but thought that I could cope with just the 2 lifts. About a month after I rode it a deer jumped the wire fence and decided to be the mascot on the front coach ! The folk in the first couple of rows got covered in its remains !
Oh dang... I arrived into the area where I live during the Covid, and was hoping to try this unique coaster out if it ever opened. I had coasted down a narrow gauge railway (formerly used for logging) a couple of times, fun thing, and like how similar this coaster is in atmosphere, running through the woods. Something which truly wouldn't be found elsewhere, of course not in small part due to its backstory.
@AdventureMe Is the above account have any connection with you? (You don't have DMs enabled on your profile unless I am mistaken)
My favorite ride ,the bumps were an added bonus ,it was more like a runaway mine train .Shame the Brighton pier company couldn't of kept this iconic coaster as Blackpool have done with a few of theirs.
No matter how ruff that ride is i love it and it's a British icon it's still the worlds second longest i think we shuld start something to get it reopened what a shame.
What a brilliant video really enjoyed watching 👍
Thank you 👍
I had a birthday there about 35 years ago and still have a photo of me on "The Rat" - later renamed Raptor Attack. I took my own daughter a few years ago and very glad I took the opportunity to ride The Ultimate now I realise it was my final chance. It was quite uncomfortable but also rather surreal how it spent so long snaking through the trees.
This was truly a great moment that I never knew about,as I always say you bring things to life
It's silly that they closed this down rather than refurbish it. I live only 45 minutes away from here so visiting was my schools' big day out. Throughout my school years, The Ultimate was one of my favourite things to look forward to.
I hope that Lightwater Valley are able to keep their appeal to children going forward, this was their star attraction. I'm curious to see if they'll ever be able to replace such an icon with something equally as good so that when my kids visit, they'll make as many happy memories of the place as I was able to.
EDIT: To add, I'm happy you've mentioned the over-head restraints. When I went on with those, I came off the ride with a banging headache. Obviously, my group of friends trying to be "manly" never would admit to it. At the time, I always thought that I was just weak compared to them. In our adult years though, talking about experiences in school with them, finally had us able to admit and laugh about it. So yeah, you're right in saying those restraints were painful (they were so much worse than just painful haha!), and we were glad to see them gone.
That was awesome video Darren
Was absolutely heartbroken with the news, and still am. Because... there'll never be a ride like this again. Health and safety wouldn't allow for it. I love crazy rides, and even rides that are the touted as the 'scariest' in the world don't match up to the sheer intensity of... THAT CORNERING. I'm going to miss this one until the end!!..
Wow I rode this in the mid 90's on a family holiday, it was sponsored by Pepsi at the time I think.
A cracking ride and I had no idea of the BR involvement, so this was really interesting.
I do remember us also going on the pirate ship which made my dad feel so ill that he couldn't stomach a second ride on the ultimate 😄
Absolutely loved The Ultimate well worth the long drive up from Cheshire to Ripon Loved the first drop at the very front 1st time then the very last carriage again,back of the coaster you got whipped over the drop exhilarating terrifying but fantastic and then the second drop way more terrifying and faster,absolutely brilliant Very sad to see it’s derelict now but hey,always have those memories am giddy just thinking about it now even.thankyou for posting Great blogs as always X
Massive thumbs up 👍👍👍
Always luv your videos, 👊🏻🤟🏻📷👍
I loved that beautiful violent ride. Again and again haha.
Amazing on how a rollercoaster ride is built by British Rail. 😮
Very fond memories of this ride. Was my first ever 'big' roller coaster. I was too short to ride when i first visited and was so upset. but went back several years in a row after and road it many times during the 90s. I remember it being painful the last time i road it during my mid teens. Sad to see it go, but so happy to have experienced it!
I loved sitting at the back, so it whips you down the drops :D
I went here a few times in the 1980s, I took a friend with me for my birthday, we loved it.
For those of us that grew up on the game Roller Coaster Tycoon, an homage to this park and coaster exists in the scenario "Katie's Dreamworld" (or Katie's World depending on region). There's a colossal roller coaster called "The Storm" that sports an almost identical track layout with the two distinctive lift hills, figure 8 tunnel and the blue train design for the vehicles.
I'd like to add that this was a very captivating documentary, concise and informative. Great job!
Yeah it was based on this ride. And also the screams and sound effects were recorded at this park.
@@AdventureMe I knew about the in-game ride being a recreation, but I didn't know the some of the in game sounds originating from the real park too!
Thanks for sharing more interesting little factoids!
What an interesting Story. Well researched and documented. Superb filming. Loved the music. Well done . Thank you.
Many thanks!
Great rollercoaster and an iconic one at that. You’d to love the youth club trips to Lightwater valley with all the other council estate kids, causing havoc but having great fun. Such as shame they’ve let it rot like that and we’ll never see it in operation again.
Went down hill when they got rid of the rat!
Yeah it's sad. Two iconic rides just gone like that.
I worked there for many years throughout the rides heyday, I was hoping to take my 15 year old daughter on it,but sad I won't get the chance now
Sad isn't it Gary
+1 for rail replacement bus.
+1 for Pacers, too.
I remember riding The Ultimate 10 times over on a school trip back in 93. Such a unique coster!
Very interesting and well put together story of The Ultimate.
Glad you enjoyed it!
First I heard that it has retired. Surprised I didn't see it in the news.
I rode it a few times in 2014, and do remember that it does throw you about a lot. Its a shame it is going, but a wooden rollercoaster doesn't exactly have a 120 year operational expectation that a British railway does, and after 30 years I presume it would require more and more works to keep it in a safe working order.
Well technically it was a steel coaster. Only the lifts were wood. But they are in really good nick. It was the steel track that needed replacing believe it or not.
That was a very interesting video, had no idea that British Rail had got involved with this project, that when British rail were at the best, great video 👏
Glad you enjoyed it
Excellent documentary and nice to see something not too far from me (In Redcar). Interesting to note that Lightwater Valley is returning to its roots and focusing on the younger generations.
Brilliant documentary, thanks so much for this. Gutted about its demolition but even more so that I never got to ride it (or even visit Lightwater Valley), and now that the park is more aimed at kids, with mine being grown up, I doubt I ever will. Massive shame. Keep up your great work.
Thanks Eric
Thank you so much for this video about the one roller coaster that I have been dying to ride ever since I first saw it on TV when it opened. I have always had a fascination with terrain coasters and there was no longer terrain coaster than The Ultimate. I had the chance to possibly ride it when I visited London for the first time in about 2018 (I am in California) but I just did not have the time to make it out to Lightwater Valley. After that vacation, I just thought that I'd ride The Ultimate on my next trip to the UK. Unfortunately, with the announcement about The Ultimate's fate in 2023, I will never get my chance to finally ride it.
Sadly, all I have are on ride videos of The Ultimate. With its demise, I think that it is safe to say that I will never visit Lightwater Valley any time soon.
Thank you again for the video even though it is very sad.
You defo missed out. It was so unique and such a fun ride. Very rare.
A nice explanation of the current status of the roller coaster. Thanks for the video, Darren. See you on the next. Cheers mate. 🇬🇧🙂👍🇺🇸
You bet!
Great video Darren, nice work, shame it's closed.👌👍😀
It sure is
Fascinating
Thanks for doing these videos, it would be nice if the park would cut up a piece of track into small pieces to sell to the public who loved this ride or maybe the wheels on the train so we can keep a part of this awesome coaster forever.
That would be cool!
I have fond memories of riding on the Ultimate with my kids, and it was a very rough ride! For the last few years, Lightwater Valley has always seemed like a park on the brink of closure. It's rides are getting tired and there seems to be little investment in it. I'm not surprised that it's concetrating on younger, smaller and probably cheaper rides, which is a shame as it used to be a great place for a day out.
Very interesting video! I've subscribed to your channel after watching this. I'm absolutely gutted that it hasn't reopened after the pandemic. Growing up with visits to Lightwater Valley, the Ultimate was the highlight of the day. Absolutely brilliant roller-coaster and did well to stay running for many years. What a shame!
Thanks for the sub! Yeah I agree. My childhood gone.
The drone work and quality and audio is fab
Content is great
Good collab with walk on wildside
Awesome thank you!
Another excellent video Darren, well researched and presented. Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it
Good memories of this ride from a School trip back in 2004 time so thanks for this footage.
Glad you enjoyed it
Another good one Darren! Nice bit of subtle comedy in there! 😂
I try lol
Absolutely brilliant video. I know Explorer 007 and he's buzzing with this piece you have put together :)
Thanks Dan. I know I spoke to him a few days ago. He gave me the pics to use.
Fond memories of going round on this during the 90’s, also remember getting stuck on the uphill sections on more than one occasion 😂 thanks for recommending this RUclips!
Thanks for watching
I properly lolled at the replacement bus service part. 😂
Fantastic, yet again - keep it up.
Thanks again!
Wow, that was very well produced! Nice work dude.
Thanks for watching
get some lotto funding to get it restored and working again
It’s pretty, but so unusual to see it running through the middle of a forested area. There’s no way for the operators to see the whole ride without driving around to inspect it. I’m thinking what would happen if a large branch fell across the track during operation. The next train to come through would smash right into it.
Yeah that was an issue. They did have lots of CCTV. But it never happened in 30 years.
Hi I was the Engineer in charge of the ultimate maintenance years ago (the photograph at the start of the video of the red train going up the lift is in-fact mine when the train ran under my name Jim’s Jet. Every morning a track walk was performed. Which included a full track inspection on foot to check track condition and included the surrounding trees. We would removed any that needed attending to. During the day there was various other tasks around the track performing inspections and maintenance and this would also include riding the trains to ensure plenty of clearance from over hanging beaches etc.
That was a nice trip down memory lane for you Darren, thanks for sharing those photos 👏👏
Lots of great detail in your video. Well done!?
Good luck from Spain!!
Thanks 👍
Omg mind blown 💥
I swear I knew it was when I was little riding this rollercoaster too. Always knew I loved it for a reason 😊
Devastated it's closed for good 😭
Awesome video, thank you 🙏
Glad you enjoyed it!
Really good to have that Ultimate documented so well on video. I never rode it and so was hoping if not expecting they would bring it back about 5 years later. I didn’t know it was built on sleepers. I wonder if his vision would have better suited a powered coaster
Robert of course father of Amanda Staveley notably connected with Middle Eastern investors and helped a Saudi consortium take over Newcastle United. Good memories of the park when our kids were little and the Ultimate. Now of course families trot off to Disneyland routinely - how times change.
Yes that's correct.
Great video, save this coaster from the axe.👍🏻
So glad I got to marathon it back in September 2019.
What an informative video Darren, who would have known BR’s involvement. I can vouch for the uneven track I pulled my back once on a flat section of the ride around 2000.
I've pulled many a muscle on there lol
im so upset that their planning to tear it down, my little girl is 6 and really getting into rollercoasters and i was really loking forward to taking her on the ultermate, give its not far from teesside.
Me too. Sad times
This was a fantastic coaster, I visited in the mid 90's that drop into the valley and the banked turns where you felt as if your head was skimming the grass.
I remember going on this ride, must have been quite new as all the wood looked very fresh.
I just remember it being really long, I mean ridiculously long, like wondering when it was going to end! It mostly followed the naturally sloping ground contours, it just seemed to go on forever and went round much of the park including parts that didn't look like part of the park like empty fields.😲⚠️
It wasn't particularly fast or intense, the tall drops were fun but the rest was mostly just a relaxed pleasant ride, rather than anything thrilling. 👍
I must admit the amount of wood in the construction made it look very DIY rather than professionally engineered.
I wasn't aware of British Rails involvement but I guess it makes sense, especially the 'train' like design in the carriages and the trellis bridge type wooden construction.
Edit- sad to hear it's no longer running but hopeful it's still standing! 👍