FULL STEAM OF DREAD: DERREN BROWN’S GHOST TRAIN REVEALED

  • First look images revealed of the 7 tonne suspended Ghost Train in what seems to be an abandoned warehouse revealed
  • The world’s most extreme Ghost Train subjects thrill seekers to the ultimate heart-pounding journey that lasts between 10 – 15 minutes
  • THORPE PARK Resort’s longest restriction board to date standing 2 metrestall – this is not for the faint hearted
  • Test subjects scream, shriek and swear as they try out VR experience at a secret location

As Derren Brown gears up to launch THORPE PARK Resort’sterrifying new Ghost Train, the first images of the attractions seven tonne Victorian carriage have been revealed as Derren starts his final checks of the attraction – marking a new dawn in theme park experiences.

Batches of Brits have been testing the new VR footage offsite at a secret location - their shrieks, screams and ‘bleeps’ in the newly released footage on Thorpe Park’s Facebook pagegive you an idea of what to expect when you step on board the Ghost Train.

The deeply psychological attraction featuring classic illusion, live action, physical transit, VR and special effects is home to the Park’s longest restrictions board to date.

Those who dare to ride the rails will get to journey through all corners of the illusionist’s famously dark and twisted mind, during a 10-15 minute apocalyptic experience.

The entirely new 21st Century Ghost Train promises an exhilarating and heart-pounding ride with twelve journey’s and two separate endings, with a chilling experience. It is designed to test guests’ minds to their limits with an ongoing theme of distorted reality.

THORPE PARK Resort’s biggest investment to date - Derren Brown’s Ghost Train resides in a 2,306 metre square warehouse that has beenpainstakingly replicated based ona Victorian building in Willesdenby the railway. Even the finest of details have been considered with the build of this new attraction, down to the bonding of the brickwork.

The ghost itself, is the Ghost Train, it acts as a portal which takes you into a new dimension – a dimension created by the wizards of Merlin Magic Making who oversee the design and build of extraordinary experiences to over 100 attractions worldwide, alongside illusionist and mind manipulator, Derren Brown. Each individual element of the new attraction has been built bespoke from scratch.

As the world’s first multi-sensory theme park experience - using the very latest VR technologywith live action actors, guests will never have experienced anything like this before. The VR is courtesy ofHTC Vive, a new type of headset that offers real-time movement and high definition,released to the Park early for integration whilst still in development.

The technology has been merged with special effects including vibrating floor plates and self-steaming windows amongst other surprises along the way.

The build has taken 375 days and counting on site and has been over three years in the making.

Recently, the Park released one of the stars of the VR storyline, a demon. A team of prosthetic artists built the creature and brought it to the Park to prank staff, with terrifying results. From a demon, to a tramp, there is a wide spectrum of characters waiting to greet guests that pass through the suspended train’s doors.

Derren Brown comments:

“I am very excited to be launching my Ghost Train at Thorpe Park and can’t wait to get it started with all elements fused together. Initial reactions in stage 1 of VR testing gave delighted and scared test subjects in equal measure and that wasn’t even on board the ride itself.

“From training the actors to working closely with the Merlin Magic Making team and the technology outfitters this has been an incredibly hands on project for me, and an experience that is entirely different from writing TV shows and stage performances as the experience needs to work without me.

“Yes, there is a hidden message, an underlying story that has been pinned into the narrative – this is a ride with a mind of its own, that has been produced to mess with your mind, so why not provoke thought also.”

The attraction, rated PG13, is enclosed in a 2,306 square metre Victorian warehouse facility and features a seven tonne, 20 metre long suspended Victorian train carriage, which will transport passengers to another dimension.

Mike Vallis, Divisional Director of THORPE PARK Resort commented:“We’re thrilled to announce the launch of Derren Brown’s Ghost Train. This is a true world-first attraction and we believe this development is a daring and exciting step into a new realm for theme park attractions around the world.

“The test footage recorded offsite at a secret location in Guildford, was not fully integrated with the whole experience, special effects or movement – yet, the reactions of our test subjects were still incredible.

The attraction is a full assault on guests’ senses and will play with their minds, in an original and fully-immersive experience. We ask that guests keep their experience secret, so that other visitors are also allowed to take their journey unaware of the shocks that lie behind the doors once they board the Ghost Train.”

Derren Brown’s Ghost Train is suitable for ages 13 and over. The height restriction is 1.4m. For more information please visit

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

*1871 is the Victorian rolled back date of Derren’s actual birth year, 1971.

*The Victorian train carriage itself has been modelled on an antique carriage built in 1903; the North Eastern Railway clerestory bogie composite coach No.3071.

*Next generation technology includes HTC Vive’s VR headsets which are one element of the overall experience. HTC’s Vive is a market leader which has received a phenomenal reception at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Las Vegas. The Vive headset has a stunning high-definition display, running at 90 frames per second, and together with Steam VR from Valve, offers class-leading motion-tracking technology ensuring positional and rotational tracking sub-millimetre accuracy. A unique feature is that multiple headsets can work in the same space with no impact on performance. This makes it the ideal choice for Derren Brown’s Ghost Train.

PICTURE AND INTERVIEW REQUESTS

Sam Corry/Dave Stitson/Emma Denley @ Taylor Herring Brand Communications

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0208 206 5151

Notes to Editors

About THORPE PARK Resort

With over 30 thrilling rides, attractions and live events to enjoy, THORPE PARK Resort is the ‘must do’ destination for thrill and chill seeking families and friends – located just 10 miles from Greater London. NEW for 2016, fans will be able to experience a unique NEW attraction created by the master of mind, Derren Brown.

Brave iconic rides such as the UK’s first winged rollercoaster THE SWARM, SAW – The Ride, the world’s first horror movie themed rollercoaster, STEALTH, one of Europe’s fastest and tallest roller coasters and COLOSSUS, the world’s first ten inversion rollercoaster, as well as attractions such as RUSH, the world’s largest Speed Swing. Younger theme park fans can grab their adrenaline apprenticeship as they ride on junior coasters X and The Flying Fish, before enjoying rides like the gravity defying ZODIAC and magic carpet ride QUANTUM. There are also FOURwater rides to excite the whole family, including the ultimate super-soaker TIDAL WAVE and STORM SURGE.

Don’t forget to make the most of your stay and book into the Park’s bitesize accommodation at the THORPE SHARK Hotel.