Hold on tight as you ride on the back of the buffalo through the plains...
| Theme Park | Drayton Manor |
|---|---|
| Park Area | Aerial Park |
| Type | Powered Rollercoaster |
| Audience | Families |
| Opened | 1987 |
| Manufacturer | Zamperla |
| Model | Powered Coaster |
| Inversions | 0 |
Buffalo Coaster
Buffalo Coaster is a classic Drayton Manor ride, and one of the rides which immediately comes to mind when you think of the theme park.
It's a powered coaster from Zamperla, with a loose North American Indian theme. It sits across the lake from Fisherman's Wharf, near the "Triangles" car park.
By no means is Buffalo Coaster a spectacular rollercoaster, but it is quaint and can be rather fun. The ride begins by crossing over one of the park footpaths in a section that has more in common with a monorail rather than a rollercoaster. However, the pace quickens as it descends toward a double helix section out on the lake - probably the best part of the ride!
From here is another "monorail" section to cross back over the footpath. The remainder of the track follows the ground at low level, which again allows the train to pick up a bit of speed before returning to the station. Most of the time, the train is sent around twice before riders have to disembark.
Buffalo Coaster starred in the final episode of the late 90s/early 2000s children's TV show Brum, when the vintage car got stuck on the ride's tracks.
At most parks, Buffalo Coaster would probably have been removed years ago in favour of a better ride. However, somehow it has been fortunate to survive at Drayton Manor and, although far from the best on offer at the park, has become one of the classic Drayton rides.
Buffalo Coaster entrance and queueline
A giant buffalo head is at the front of the train
In the station
A train heads out
High level section
Buffalo Coaster navigates the lakeside helix ... for some reason with the front part of the train missing
Is it a coaster or a monorail?
Zooming through a cutting
Passing beside the queueline
Buffalo Coaster emerges from the trees
Rebuilt by John H Rundle Ltd
Buffalo Coaster's station
