ultradude306 Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Well, not saying this is what happened, but somebody mentioned something about a wheel assembly breaking loose, causing it to valley. Although this is very unlikely, as they have stated, it HAS happened... Just look at the Mindbender in Edmonton... that exact scenario took place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon8899 Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 As this is a prototype I expect some delays before opening. Â Hope they have it all fixed for my planned trip in September - but I will delay my booking until the ride is running smoothly for at least two weeks without problems. Â I lately watched the documentary about Anton Schwarzkopf again were he stated that in ride construction you can't calculate everything, that you need long experience in how strong parts of the track and train have to be - always mockingly hinting at MBB who built an inverted coaster for the 1976 Oktoberfest which was scrap metal after 16 days. Â But even Anton's Alpina-Bahn stalled mid-track as the wheels were too tight on the rails and the friction caused the train to stop - the ride had to partly taken apart and the train removed by a crane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TyRush Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Hopefully the ride gets up and running soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gigalyte Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 As this is a prototype I expect some delays before opening. Â How is this a prototype this is a Lifthill based coaster with 14 inversions manufacturers have been using chain lifts and making inversions for decades, their is nothing new about the Smiler beside it having 14 inversions which all of them have been done before. Yet Intamin get's creamed for creating 400+ foot coasters with never done before on a coaster hydraulic launches, 300+ foot lift hills with cable lifts if they don't work perfect every time, yet Gerstlauer has failed to get a coaster open using tried and proven tech and the excuse is it's a prototype Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimace Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 ^The trains are prototypes. It's definitely not uncommon for manufacturers to have hiccups when they introduce prototype ride vehicles (i.e. Battlestar Galactica, Timberliners) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mechanic Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 ^The trains are prototypes. It's definitely not uncommon for manufacturers to have hiccups when they introduce prototype ride vehicles (i.e. Battlestar Galactica, Timberliners) Â At least no seats have fallen off of The Smiler yet. (as far as we know) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garet Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 They've removed all mention of it from their article now anyway and just say technical incident instead now. Â After-Hours Incident:Â TowersTimes understands that between the park closing on Thursday 23rd May and opening on Friday 24th, a further technical issue occurred during the ride's testing. This resulted in X Sector being closed to the public for the entire day so work could continue in preparing the ride for opening. Â No details have been released by The Alton Towers Resort and references to the ride's opening date have now been removed from the official website. Due to the ongoing issues with the ride we suggest that if you are planning to visit solely to ride The Smiler, you should consult the official Alton Towers Resort website for further information on the ride's opening. Â TowersTimes will continue to bring you more details as and when we hear them. Our Facebook page and community forum are great places to check for updates during this time. Â Update: Towerstimes aims to bring you the latest news, as it happens and in our effort to deliver events as they unfold, Towerstimes apologises for any inferences that may have been construed due to the original articles' wording. We aim to work with the resort to bring you the very latest on this ground-breaking and exciting ride Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCT3Bross Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 Two big developments on site today. 1: Fences removed from entrance. Also according to Towers Times members the person in front of the entrance says that they are just finishing up for the opening Tomorrow. Towers Times member J_Baggie. Â 2: The Smiler is added to the big queue board, although it still says closed it supports the claims that it could open tomorrow. Towers Times member Lexie. Â No official source has confirmed that the ride indeed opens tomorrow, so don't get to exited yet. But recent developments give the hint it's going to open soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedazza Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 John Wardley is in the smiler building right now with his family, could be there for the first public ride, or just for a behind the scenes tour, either way it looks promising. Edit: Staff on park are saying that the ride will be open tomorrow, still small chance of a soft opening this afternoon, but looks like tomorrow will be the first full day of operation. Glad they managed to stick to the "May 2013" opening, even if it is the last day in May. Just a shame they missed the original confirmed opening date of the 23rd. I'm sure it will have been worth the wait though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterfreak101 Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 Good to hear they're getting it up and running. Can't wait to hear some reviews and see some more pictures and video coming in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayTricky Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 SMILER OPENING TODAY. Â Looking forward to hearing ride reviews later on!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedazza Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 (edited) Here is some testing from earlier. Â Some pics of the management riding. Ride will open to the public in the next couple of hours. Â Â Pics from towersnerd. Get more photo's throughout the day here live.towersnerd.com/ Edited May 31, 2013 by thedazza Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobba Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 (edited) The Marmaliser screen video now has a washing machine part. Whoever added that should never need to buy their own drinks again. Edited May 31, 2013 by Dobba Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayTricky Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=571644216200094&set=vb.168150643216122&type=2&theater  ^^ Duelling!?!? Looks AWESOME.  Weather is perfect today too. Lucky people that are there. Some have been in line for 4 hours already and it's not officially open to the public yet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayTricky Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 [attachment=0]1369996682.jpg[/attachment] Â Actually laughed. Â Someone knew the fanboys were watching! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedazza Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 From Alton Towers Twitter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobba Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 (edited) Here we go... Edited May 31, 2013 by Dobba Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCT3Bross Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 I'm really happy to hear it's finaly open. Can't wait for the reviews. The "deuling" looks awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayTricky Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Thanks to TowersNerd: Â Augmented reality in the shop! Awesome! Â Shop! Â More augmented reality! Â Reviews coming soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobba Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 I hope someone gets a video of that spoof shopping channel video. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayTricky Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Duelling. Nice near miss! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simtanic8 Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Not an exact duel but still greatly timed. Seems like it opened for a bit yesterday or some time. Wish I was back in England! Â Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_koppen Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 The first reviews I have read says it is as awesome as it looks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCT3Bross Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 I really hope I can make it down to England this year to ride The Smiler, so I can experience the Smiler myself and find out if it's as good as the reviews say it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B&MIntaminGCI Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 The dueling aspect just made this even more awesome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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