Park section Mexicana Closing date 2012 Replaced by Scorpion Express | Status Closed Cost £300,000 | |
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Opening date June 7, 1987 (1987-06-07) | ||
Runaway Train was a steel sit-down roller coaster opened in 1987 at the Chessington World of Adventures Resort in southwest London, England. Designed by John Wardley. Although the ride itself survives, it was completely rethemed between 2012 and 2014 into Scorpion Express.
Contents
History
Runaway Train was commissioned by Chessington World of Adventures in London for their Calamity Canyon area, which was later renamed Mexicana. Runaway Train was given a Wild West theme, and designed by John Wardley and Mack Rides as a sit down steel roller coaster. It opened in 1987. It closed at the end of the 2012 season. The track still remains and has been fully refurbished for the new coaster Scorpion Express.
Removal
Due to its construction, the ride's mountain was crumbling and required heavy maintenance. By 2012, its condition had become so bad that it was unstable, and needed to be removed. At first, the ride was planned to have its mountain rebuilt using new construction techniques. However, as popularity for the ride had decreased over the years, it was decided that a new, more dramatic, more original and more eye catching ride would be needed. So, throughout the 2013 season, the Runaway Train's mountain, train, and other theming was removed and replaced with the new ride experience, Scorpion Express. The Ride's track and train were retained, with the trains being given a new, more 'rusty' coat of paint.
Parts of the Runaway Train's queue are still intact, and can be seen through the trees by the Children's Zoo.