Black Hole, Steel roller coaster at Alton Towers, United Kingdom.
Black Hole was a steel roller coaster at Alton Towers in Staffordshire, England. The ride ran entirely inside a large tent structure, taking passengers through loops and turns in near-complete darkness.
The ride opened in 1984 and was built by Anton Schwarzkopf, known for his compact looping coasters. It closed in 2005 after 21 years of operation and was later replaced by other attractions in the park.
The roller coaster incorporated space exploration themes with Jules Verne-inspired design elements in its station and queue areas.
During its operating years, the ride was accessible to visitors meeting a minimum height requirement, typical for coasters with inversions. The queue area was located outside the tent structure, allowing guests to see the exterior before boarding.
The darkness inside the tent made it nearly impossible to anticipate the track layout during the ride. Only just before the first drop did a lighting installation reveal the descent ahead.
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