Alton Towers Discussion Thread

[ukpete]

according to the design and access statement it'll be hydraulic powered.

like the design of the station building, fits well with hex/the towers.

[Troll]

according to the design and access statement it'll be hydraulic powered.

 

So that could mean that there is a lift hill and a launch on the ride

[Loefet]

according to the design and access statement it'll be hydraulic powered.

In which document does it say that?

 

If this is an Intamin then a hydraulically powered friction wheel launch over the lift is a possibility.

It could also say that hydraulics will be used for the switch tracks etc...

[Troll]

^

Forms and Plans pdf page 14 section 2.4

[matteocrepaldi]

I found another intersting image on those pdfs.

Looks almost like one of those new mini hypers from this view.

[televisedconfession]

So, then the question still begs, what is going to be new and unique about this ride? What will make this a first of its kind? Could it be a new concept of an Aquatrax? Or is it a Vekoma? We got a layout, but we still have to figure out what's going on with this thing.

 

Edit: Did it say it was going to be a hydraulic launch on the lift? cause it could have hydraulics on the switch backs or for when it goes inside the building.

[Vid_w]

Well, the new and revolutionary things could be the switchbacks...

They've been used before, but not really in Europe...

At least I can't think of a coaster in Europe that would use switchbacks...

 

Well, they could be used with a different track style...

Like Intamin Megalite...

[televisedconfession]

Oh, I just now read about the building. It will feature octopus tentacles, and the entrance will have bones and a skull. The colors are going to be a mutated scheme, with what seems to be gray's and brown's. I smell a theme.

[Shavethewhales]

I like the sounds of this. To me, AT has never bested Nemesis. They haven't come even close. Air, Rita, and Oblivion are fun in their own ways, but they lack the pure awesomeness and originality that went into Nemesis. I'm looking forward to hearing the backstory for this ride. It sounds like they'll put as much energy into the atmosphere of the ride as the ride itself - which is truly what separates the epic rides from the plain old coasters.

[scottjenkins]

Plans released

 

I still have no idea who is going to manufacture this secret beauty and am also struggling to see how these plans are going to be as "thrilling" as AT managers say?

 

Any ideas?

[scottjenkins]

Sorry for posting the plans that have already been posted! Silly me!

[Vid_w]

What if it's a woody?

With switchbacks!

OMG, that would be awesome!

[Troll]

What if it's a woody?

With switchbacks!

OMG, that would be awesome!

 

As awesome as it would be, they have said that the ride will be made of steel.

[scottjenkins]

So guys do we think it's gonna be an Intamin or B and M?

 

I'm thinking world first B and M, which judging by Altons previous prototypes, it will be awesome for a year or so then a bigger better one will be built across the pond!

[Reon]

What if it's a woody?

With switchbacks!

OMG, that would be awesome!

 

As awesome as it would be, they have said that the ride will be made of steel.

B&M steelish Plug-n-Play?

[scottjenkins]

B and M, steelish, plug'n'play aquatrax!

 

That's what wet dreams are made of! (when I say wet dreams, I mean, dreaming of ten rides on perilous plunge, not roller coaster boners........ That's just plain weird......ahem).

 

Let's change the subject LOL

[televisedconfession]

I'm thinking from the switch backs that it's going to be vekoma... as we've seen that before on Expedition Everest and others. But it wouldn't surprise me if it were Intamin. I guess we'll just have to wait and see though.

[aldredd]

OK, here's my take on it.

 

For sound level testing, X:/ No Way Out has been marked as a 'similar' roller coaster - mostly because it's indoors, but it may also indicate the track is the same (different track = different noise), so perhaps we're looking at a Vekoma?

 

Also, does X:/ use several, smaller trains running at once? Maybe this will also be a characteristic of the new coaster, as the noise survey makes note of how many vehicles were on the track at any one time.

 

Lots of comments are made about the reduction of noise coming from the lift hill of the old corkscrew, but no mention of 'new' noise, so a launch roller-coaster certainly looks likely - that or a quite lift hill!

 

'Replacement of Corkscrew will eliminate the characteristic motor whine associated with the lift'

 

It also mentions that track will weave through well-wooded areas, so that's pretty much confirmed.

 

Found some more info from the Habitat Survey:

Clearance work in the wooded areas (just low level, not trees) is due to start this month.

 

AT have also committed to laying track within the wooded area outside of bird-nesting season which is September - March, so we may start seeing track around September, which would fit the 2010 Launch time scale.

[Fry]

http://publicaccess.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=KBM3OQPG04H00

 

Lots more detailed plans have been put up, clearly showing the layout and track type etc.

 

To me, the shape of the hills and turns and the use of bi-rail heavily suggest a Mega-Lite. This then matches up with the station, which is slightly shorter than Rita's, and would be perfect if it was a four car Intamin train. If it was a ML with switchbacks, that would also take care of the World First thing.

 

The other viable option I can see is a Premier coaster, think Maximum RPM... but, one that works. If it does the rumored backwards launch this would fit in with Premier, but, I then don't see how it could be a World First? And I really hope it's not a Premier, I just don't trust them to make it as well as Intamin would.

 

Another option I see is Gerstauler, but we can rule out Spinner and Eurofighter, and that doesn't leave a huge amount of options...

 

I personally think we can rule out Vekoma as well, the track style doesn't match recent Vekomas of a similar scale (think Tibidabo's new coaster), nor does it match that of their Mine Trains.

 

It's interesting, to say the least, and we can certainly rule out some things now (like Eurofighter, a significant launch etc.). I'm just not sure I hold too much faith in it being an excellent ride though...

[dr.gumbo]

^ That actually looks really good, now I'm even more exited about it.

 

Also, I think were certain that the other layout wasn't fake. Seems you can trust ECC when it comes to leaking info.

[nemesis-storm]

Just want to be side of caution here, Alton Towers have in the past submitted plans for coasters / attractions that were just ideas.

 

As an example does anyone remember the plans for Vekoma launched coaster in the woods close to Duel ?

 

I'm not saying these new plans are not the new coaster, but just wanted to say don't be surprised if it turns out to be something else.

 

Whatever it maybe, I look forward to it & seeing it's construction.

[aldredd]

^ Plus, I guess there is nothing stopping them submitting multiple applications, with one as a dummy to throw people off - if they were that desperate to keep it a secret!

[the ghost]

The only thing that is making me skeptical is we dont know the exact builder, but know everything else. That is not how it usually works. Could someone please link me to the page showing track and layout, as I was unable to find it?

[aldredd]

^ The link was on the previous page.

http://publicaccess.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=KBM3OQPG04H00

 

This is the planning application.

Click on 'Associated Documents' and there are 19 files of maps, plans, and other information about it.

[Vid_w]

I've come to the conclusion it's a megalite...

 

Clickety Click

 

You ca tell the heighth of the track by the width of the barcing...

The first helix is almost on the ground, so the bracing isn't that wide...

The next section is probably a hill, it doesn't have any bracing...

Is there a valley there? becouse that could indicate a descent not far from the ground...

Anyway, the next is a short turn, another hill, and another short turn.

Than the double S section looks suspiciously like this...

See the double S?

than another hill, and a turn, that would lead into the switchback...

the train would than travel backwards through that helix. Which is the only thing that bothers me... Why so drawn out? You can see it's larger than the first helix... The only reasonable thing that comes to my mind is a backwards launch...

But, it's probably not gonna happen...

 

Well, that's basically how I imagine the layout...