Information
The Scorpion Express was a Mack Blauer Enzian family coaster. It opened as the Runaway Mine Train in 1987 and operated for over twenty-five years. It had an Old Western theme and featured an extensively themed area and queue. Primarily designed by John Wardley, the queue took guests above buildings, around a lake, and down into a small mine. The train used to run through the tunnels and caves of the mine.
After years of use, the ride became tired. Due to the theming’s exposure to the elements and its original temporary nature, much of it had decayed. This forced Chessington’s hand, and the ride closed at the end of the 2012 season, which some thought might be for the last time.
It was consistently one of Chessington’s most popular rides. Aware of its popularity, the park made every effort to preserve the ride in some form. In 2014, the ride reopened following a major reimagining. The ride’s classic runaway mine train theme and rockwork canyons were removed.
The ride’s premise revolved around the town of Scorpion Valley. Overrun with scorpions, an explosion had caused the gold mine to collapse. All the residents had fled the town, according to posters in the queue line. The Town Governor had supposedly left behind a giant, mechanical steam-powered scorpion fashioned from scrap metal from the explosion’s debris to guard the gold against chancing looters.
Sadly, after just eight years of operation, the ride closed for the last time in July 2022. Of course, the memory of Scorpion Express will live on, as will its seasons as the Runaway Train. The ride sat dormant until the 2024 season when plans finally came to light to remove and renovate the area.
Opened:
2014
Closed:
2022
Manufacturer:
Mack Rides GmbH
Ride Model:
Powered Coaster
Height:
20ft / 6m
Length:
866ft / 264m
Speed:
22mph / 35kph
Cars:
10 Cars Per Train
Trains:
1 Train
Passengers:
4 Per Car
Theoretical Capacity:
1000 Guests Per Hour
Cost:
£850k
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