Blackpool Pleasure Beach Ghost Train ....

 

I have always had an interest in the history and paranormal heritage of my town Blackpool, my late granddad ( Frank Gregson )  used to work for Blackpool Pleasure Beach and I was taken down by him to met the staff and watch what went on behind the scenes and of course watch the changing face of the park as new rides were built and constructed. He used to repair the track on the ghost train from time to time and bore testimony to the rumours that ‘Cloggy’ the former ride operator could still be heard, more on that later and what would happen when he was by himself. This meant I was incredibly lucky as sometimes I got to go on the rides for free , jolly exciting for someone who loves  the funfair.

A little bit of back history in 1930 the owners had seen the ride in London and decided to build their own “Pretzel” ride (named after the Pretzel companies, which built them in the USA). The Pretzel Ride was duly opened that year. As the name, Pretzel, was unknown in the UK and did not give much of a clue as to the ride itself, in 1931, the park changed the name to The Ghost Train - taken from the hit film of that name, starring Jack Hulbert. An interesting fact to note for the history buffs reading it was actually the first Ghost Train in the UK.

It had an impressive frontage, complete with model skeletons, skulls, and ghosts. It opened up into a giant set, with a roller coaster-style drop in the centre, and balconies on either side.  Riders were housed in 2-person cars, which were secured to the moving track. It took just under 4 minutes from start to finish. The ride was completely re-built in 1957, by new designer-in residence Jack Ratcliffe, and its new frontage was far plainer. The cars were all painted pink. In 1976, it had another re-vamp, and the frontage gained castle-style battlements and a massive skeleton. As a little girl I remember asking my parents ( David & Kath Gregson ) where they would have got a skeleton that big as I thought it was real ! I now know obviously it was specially made.

 

Over the years many tales have been discussed about ‘Cloggy’ who either dies in the late 1970’s or early 1980’s. It is said that he passed away after a horrible illness but gave Blackpool Pleasure beach and the Ghost Train many years of dedicated service.  From reports gathered by myself and research I found out that he was a very committed member of staff who would do anything to ensure that customer service standards were reached and that the customers got the fright of their lives when on the Ghost train. It seems this continued for the gentlemen even after he had passed to the other side, customers would say after dismounting the ride that they had been touched or grabbed by someone that they could not see, but hear.  Over the years the reports and stories only increased with the shocked members of the public then later finding out that the extra ‘sensations’ were not actually part of the Ghost Train ride at all.

My late granddad ( Frank Gregson ) worked for the Pleasure Beach for many years and had a young apprentice called Steve Bobola – it seems while  they were doing maintenance repairs Frank would often have a giggle at the customers expense. He would stand very still and wait for one of the cars to round and would then lean forward and say ‘Hello – how are you’  and then collapse in a fit of giggles as the car then moved on with now – screaming passengers. 

However this was not the only odd occurrence that happened to the staff that worked there, as with all rides they do need to be maintained and repaired and kept in good working order. Odd sounds, tapping, footsteps and groaning were heard echoing through the walls, when the workmen left and of course followed procedure, and turning  off the power and electrics an odd sight greeted them as they left the building. A skull atop the ride was still lit up, so back inside they went to investigate the issue and spent over an hour trying to find out what was causing the fault, alas to no avail. Whatever they did to rectify the situation the light on the skull would not turn off; needless to say they had to leave and reported the incident as a one off.

In 2004 the TV series of ‘Most Haunted Live’ paid Blackpool a visit, naturally they investigated Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and other locations included Blackpool Tower and the Winter Gardens. Local press at the time had the following to say – The Most Haunted team are to spend 24 at Blackpool’s famous funfair to investigate stories of a haunted ghost train and frightening poltergeist activity. One of my long time on-going projects is to gather information and history about Blackpool Ghosts and the surrounding area; I was contacted by the production company to provide history and research for the show. On the Sunday of the three day Live broadcast I was lucky enough be have been invited as part of the studio audience – I took my mum Kath Gregson with me. Lets just say watching from the now a housing estate on the Pontins site, it was 'educational' to see what information I had provided that they used in the show.

The now late Derek Acorah seemed to hear and have contact from ‘Cloggy’ but we don’t seem to learn anything new about the late gentlemen in question. Various team members hear odd noises and one claims to have been touched on the head!

It is interesting to note that it is not just the Ghost Train that have had stories and haunted activity. A quick resume of the various phenomena that have been reported and sighted over the years.

The Starr Pub ( now demolished and the new Boulevard hotel in it’s place ) had reported sights of a male figure in the then cellar, then seen again walking through the bar before disappearing. Sir Hiram Maxim's Flying Machines is the oldest ride at the park, built in 1904, the ghost of a small female child, aged about nine, is said to have been seen at Sir Hiram Maxim's Gift Shop. The Ice Rink claims to have several ‘spooks’, various things have been seen backstage in the dressing rooms, perhaps previous show skaters of year gone by. Late at night I myself have heard someone or something skating on the ice, when I have gone to look, nothing was there. Lights and equipment move of their own accord and doors have been wide open when they have closed with padlocks. Staff working late at night, walking across to the tractor bay, have felt really cold, chilled to the bone and an "awful" presence.

 This first appeared back at Halloween for the Blackpool Gazette