AndyGiles

I'm a bit worried at the recent trend of launched coasters. They seem to be killing off the traditional lift hill / first drop coasters. I hope that launched coasters don't become the norm. I much prefer the slow travel up the lift hill, the height, and then the amazing first drop. Launch coasters just don't have the same level of anticipation as lift hill coasters. It seems a cheap way to get the trains up to speed too. Don't get me wrong, I do like launched coasters...I just don't want them to take over from traditional ones. One launched coaster in a park is enough.

^^Thanks, that's really helpfull. The reason I knew it was happening because I went on S:TE in 2000 and have a photo of it really high up the tower...when I saw it running in 2004, it made it only around half way. I also remember a news report about Tower of Terror when it first opened showing the cars go nearly to the top. I checked out some videos on Youtube yesterday and they seemed to go just over half way. The ageing theory does make sense though. I guess another explanation may be that the parks are simply trying to save on electricity costs as these rides consume a huge amount.

Why don't the coasters on Superman: The Escape and Dreamworld's Tower of Terror travel so far up the towers any more? When I went on S:TE back in 2000, it went really far up. I've just looked at recent videos of these two rides and the cars barely made it half way. Are they simply not launching as fast as they used to, or is the some kind of braking system on the tower, which kicks in to slow the ride earlier? Was it Intamin who instructed the parks not to launch so far up the towers? It seems such a shame to have these 400ft towers but not use them fully.

^ The Scorpion set comes with everything to build a full working model. I nearly killed my hands putting some of the supports together. I want to make a custom model but some of the pieces are on so tightly, I don't think I can ever get them off. The thing does take up a lot of space...I spend most of my days moving it to different places in my room.

Why do all my friends and relatives laugh at me when I tell them I'm into rollercoasters? I would have gone on the UK trip but was talked out of it by friends who said they wouldn't speak to me again if I went on such a thing!! Are these people right...are we all slightly strange? If I look at those trip reports as an objective outsider, I might think it all a little bit strange!! A bunch of hairy old men going on kids rides...

Legoland Windsor! I worked at that place for 4 years during the school holidays as a grounds person (walking around picking up litter, emptying bins and cleaning toilets). Great park...although aren't you guys a bit old for it?

This is officially the worst rollercoaster I have ever been on. I actually felt sick in the backwards section. This needs to be destroyed.

Thanks for the artwork. The theming looks absolutely spectacular...this wouldn't look out of place in Disney's Animal Kingdom!! Is this Germany's first suspended B&M? I think it may be as I can't think of any others at the moment. This is going to be one spectacular ride. I'm probably visiting Germany this summer so will try and get to PL.

Could this be one of the most heavily themed B&M coasters of all time? Although Nemesis is themed, it's basically all natural rocks, which were already there. Here, they've made everything from the ground up.

Great! Magic Mountain gets Tatsu, Great Adventure gets the Intamin woodie, Thorpe Park gets Stealth...and Alton Towers gets Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. AT needs to get some decent new rollercoasters fast, otherwise it will fall off the coaster map.

Nemesis Alton Towers, back in October.

^ That's ok then, you're forgiven for the slight delay!! I'm very excited about Stealth as it will be my first rocket coaster. I drive on the motorway past Thorpe Park just about every day and nearly crash the car as I'm too busy looking at the top hat to see if it's been testing. Only once in the past few months did I see it go over.

Where are the Stealth construction photos? I need to see them...now!!!!

How bizarre...I was driving down to Southsea today near Portsmouth and saw a large advert for this ride. I had never heard of this park before until today, when I came across it twice!!

I didn't win a ride on the competition...

I love the comment from the camera guy at the end of the video: "Wo ist es?" (where is it?)!!! OMG...Black Mamba train missing after one testing session!!!

Great update guys! I really love Steeplechase too. It's probably one of the most fun rides I've ever been on, especially when you're racing friends. I need to go on BPB's Wild Mouse again...I'm amazed that ride is still standing; so glad it is though! I found it just as scary as The Big One!!! Shame Grand National wasn't open, but I guess you'll get to go on it in June. Was there a sign saying when it was going to open? I'm thinking of heading up there this month.

I love Blackpool. The Wild Mouse is one of the most insane rides I've ever been on! I've been on it twice and each time I was terrified the mice were going to fly off the track! The thing does not look or feel safe. Come to think of it, none of the rides at Blackpool do, which is why I love it. It's got this old school rickety feel about it. Steeplechase is an incredibly cool ride. I didn't realise it was the only one! After looking at some of your photos, I'm sooooo tempted to drive up to Blackpool. I live near London so it's a bit of a hike, but I wouldn't have to pay petrol costs as I could use the company car with free petrol!!! I haven't been there since 1995 either...I just might do this!

Are there any spare slots for this trip? How many people will be on it altogether? Thanks

I am seriously considering going on this trip as next June is my last month of freedom before I start on my career!! Are there loads of people signing up as individuals (ie going alone)? Absolutely none of my friends are coaster fanatics; they would all give me strange looks if I asked them to come along! Do you have to have someone else to go with for the accommodation arrangements or will the organisers pair people up randomly? Thanks for the help!!