Alton Towers Secret Weapon 7 (SW7)

[ynnoj]

Are there any updates with the day-to-day status of the ride? The commercials are still running on TV so I guess they aren't expecting major downtime.

I'm planning a trip in early September, so hope it's all good then.

 

[UK-Trigg]

its been up and running

 

[ynnoj]

I was at the Towers yesterday and managed to ride The Smiler. Despite the park only opening at 10, the ride was scheduled to close at 12 so I assume they are still encountering issues that are pretty serious. Because of this the entire park was pretty much waiting to ride whilst we were. A 2 hour standby forced us into the single riders line, where we lucked out and were sat together during the ride after about an hour of waiting. Worked out perfect :happy:

Overall a great addition to the park. I still think Nemesis is their best coaster, but this is easily my second favourite. Surprising how rough this ride is considering it's only a few months old. Left me with a sore neck after some of the inversions.

 

[UK-Trigg]

Thought some of you may enjoy this.

[video=youtube;MyaPUMyEHrE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MyaPUMyEHrE[/video]

Almost as quick as Uiversals construction LOL

 

[bobwadd]

Great vid, roodles. Thanks for posting :thumbs:

 

[Felipe]

Thanks for the video, Roodles! :thumbs: That was awesome! I love time lapse videos and seeing it come to life. Very cool! It was also interesting to see the change of the seasons. Not something you see in Florida lol!

 

[UK-Trigg]

The Smiler has been plagued with problems since day one, even earlier if you include the construction issues. The latest problems are a real issue.

So over the Scarefest event the ride has been down twice and has not reopened since the second of these incidents.

Incident One.

A Bolt has popped and landed in a guest area, this was replaced and the ride was back up and running after several hours.This is the second time the ride has popped a bolt since opening. The first bolt popped back in July and closed the ride whilst maintenance was carried out.

Here is the news story from July http://news.sky.com/story/1119353/alton-towers-closes-smiler-ride-over-bolt

And this is a picture of the latest bolt popping issue

Image by Paul Jones on Facebook.

Maintenance looking at the area the bolt came from

Image from ride rater

Incedent Two.

This one is even more serious. The rides verticle lift hill has had bearing s come away from the structure.

Again thanks to Paul Jones on Facebook for the image.

Image from Alton Towers Guide facebook

The netting was a late edition and was not present a few months back, could have been much worse.

This is what happens when things are rushed. I blame AT over Gerst as AT put out a ridiculous time frame on the opening of this ride, that's why it's been plagued with problems since day one. They could have had a fantastic ride on their hands but because they couldn't be patient they now have a hunk of junk and potential death trap, way to go AT. Roll on the close season where hopefully they will spendthe money needed to fix all the issues with this new coaster.

Several local and national news outlets have picked up on the story.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-24794468

http://news.sky.com/story/1163263/alton-towers-shuts-smiler-after-wheels-fall-off

http://www.itv.com/news/central/story/2013-11-03/wheels-fly-off-towers-ride/

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=13&cad=rja&ved=0CDEQFjACOAo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailystar.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flatest-news%2F348863%2FNot-much-to-smile-about-18m-Alton-Towers-rollercoaster-closes-after-wheel-hits-rider&ei=8GF2UoriAaGS7AbP54DYCQ&usg=AFQjCNHkvqZySjN7UHgslv4uOng9FjEgrg&bvm=bv.55819444,d.ZGU

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&ved=0CDUQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.derbytelegraph.co.uk%2FSmiler-Alton-Towers-closed-wheels-fall%2Fstory-20027152-detail%2Fstory.html&ei=f2J2UqKKH6LR7Aby0YGwAQ&usg=AFQjCNER8VsTYvR-fz-X9ucEaC42IdV3Zg&bvm=bv.55819444,d.ZGU

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&ved=0CDUQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.derbytelegraph.co.uk%2FSmiler-Alton-Towers-closed-wheels-fall%2Fstory-20027152-detail%2Fstory.html&ei=f2J2UqKKH6LR7Aby0YGwAQ&usg=AFQjCNER8VsTYvR-fz-X9ucEaC42IdV3Zg&bvm=bv.55819444,d.ZGU

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&cad=rja&ved=0CEIQFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stokesentinel.co.uk%2FAlton-Towers-visitor-injured-wheels-come-Smiler%2Fstory-20027144-detail%2Fstory.html&ei=f2J2UqKKH6LR7Aby0YGwAQ&usg=AFQjCNENpz9sYxHrxuQQcELIuRDQ6TbNSQ&bvm=bv.55819444,d.ZGU

 

[Hockeyman55]

Yikes, Actually sounds like a bigger issue than what HRRR has. Hope they get it figured out.

 

[UK-Trigg]

In other Smiler news.

Many people have been dubbing the Smiler as Eurofighter style coaster, this is incorrect as the Smiler was indeed a prototype.

Gerstlaur have dubbed this style of coaster as "Infinity" and have placed this on their website.

http://www.gerstlauer-rides.de/references/reference-list/europe/united-kingdom/the-smiler-en-US/

With all the problems and bad press the Smiler has had I cant see the order books for Infinity coaster being very full.

 

[bobwadd]

Well, that's not good!

 

[UK-Trigg]

The X-Sector (Home of the Smiler)has been sectioned off to allow a crane to access the site. The crane has been seen to be working by the the verticle lift hill. Looking at the pictures of the latest parts to fall off I think they are directly from the chain itself therefore I believe they will have to remove the chain in order to replace/repair the offending parts.

The following pictures show the lift chain and you can see the bearings/wheels which I believe are the parts to have come away.

 

[bobwadd]

I think they may have to use a different material. The offending parts appear to roller surfaces for the bearings.

Thanks for the info, Roodles

 

[Felipe]

Holy crap, Roodles! :look: That's scary!

 

[Teebin]

I think they may have to use a different material. The offending parts appear to roller surfaces for the bearings.

The roller surfaces are the blue parts? What are the white block things? The metal parts appear substantial and rugged.

 

[bobwadd]

The roller surfaces are the blue parts? What are the white block things? The metal parts appear substantial and rugged.

The lift chain more than likely rides in a trough. The blue covered bearings are to keep the chain from touching the bottom of the trough and to support any downwards pressure. The white nylon blocks are to keep the chain centered in the trough side to side.

 

[UK-Trigg]

The season has come to an end and Alton Towers is now closed. New season will start March 2014.

The Smiler did get back up and running for the final few days, I was on park for the final weekend and rode the Smiler several times. I have to admit I am sytarting to warm to this coaster, the rides I has were quite smooth apart from 3 noticable jolts caused by poor profile of the track, the worsed of these comes as you exit the cobra roll (3rd Inversion from the end).

Along with the track profiling another major problem is the fact that the queue line get flooded when heavy rain is around.

I am hopeful that the problems with the Smiler will get ironed out over the close season and come March we have a decent coaster that doesn't leave you battered and bruised, guess time will tell.

That more or less sums up for this season, but rest assured I will report any findings throughout the closed season. Our friends over at Towerstimes.com may well take to the skies so we could gain some knowledge from that.

We had a fantastic fireworks display to end the season, this years show was themed to the resorts rides both past and present. The Smiler took a leading roll in the display, here are a couple of shots I took featuring the fireworks from the Smilers section of the show.


A Broken Smiler by roodlesnouter1, on Flickr


The Smilers by roodlesnouter1, on Flickr


Always by roodlesnouter1, on Flickr


The Smiler 2 by roodlesnouter1, on Flickr

I thank you all for following this thread throughout the year and hope you all enjoyed my construction updates, but,for now, this is Roodlesnouter over and out.

 

[Hockeyman55]

Wow those those fireworks shot and loved how they themed them to the ride. Great job Mark :thumbs:

 

[bobwadd]

I thank you all for following this thread throughout the year and hope you all enjoyed my construction updates, but,for now, this is Roodlesnouter over and out.

Hopefully you'll have some amazing projects to follow next season. :thumbs:

 

[UK-Trigg]

Hopefully you'll have some amazing projects to follow next season. :thumbs:

Next year is Cbeebies land, an upgrade to the childrens area based on the popular BBC childrens TV IP.

Alton Towers press release

Alton Towers Resort to launch world’s first ever CBeebies Land as Merlin and BBC Worldwide link up

Alton Towers Resort is to launch the world’s first ever CBeebies Land, bringing some of the most-loved children’s characters to Britain’s number one theme park. Opening in May 2014, the Land will be home to a unique range of themed rides, attractions and live entertainment and will be a completely immersive and interactive world for children and young families.
The planned 5 acre site within Alton Towers Resort will offer plenty of opportunities for little ones to interact with some of their favourite characters and TV shows. CBeebies Land will include rides, immersive play areas, live experiences, character appearances and will be a safe and fun environment for pre-schoolers to play and learn. CBeebies Land will create experiences that inspire children with bright ideas, provide hands-on learning experiences, encourage pre-schoolers to explore and understand more about themselves and put a smile on the face of everyone who visits.

The area will be updated frequently with new content, while a seasonal programme of events will run alongside the main attractions ensuring that no two visits to CBeebies Land will be the same.
Marcus Arthur, Managing Director UK at BBC Worldwide says, “CBeebies Land will be a fun and exciting way for children and adults to immerse themselves in and explore the CBeebies environment and to enjoy their favourite characters. BBC Worldwide is delighted to be working with Merlin, and this very special development at one of Britain’s best loved theme park resorts is a great beginning.”

Katherine Duckworth, Alton Towers Resort, adds, “Alton Towers Resort is all about providing memorable experiences for our guests. CBeebies Land will be aimed primarily at families with pre-school children and is designed to spark their imaginations, and to get them and their families playing together and really involved with the characters - so is a perfect fit for us. Providing new adventures is at the heart of Alton Towers Resort and we are hugely excited to be the first to work with the BBC as part of this exciting new partnership. I have no doubt that CBeebies Land will add a different and original element to the already fantastic offering we have for young families, making Alton Towers Resort the ideal destination for day trips and short breaks.”
CBeebies Land opens at the Alton Towers Resort in May 2014

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ariel/24533432

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24536119

In other news, The smiler has been spotted at IAPPA. Check out the model below from the gerstlaur stand.

Image from TPR Twitter

 

[bobwadd]

Smiler was mentioned in IAAPA's Funworld Magazine --> The Smiler

In a year when roller coasters are staking claim to distinctions of all sorts, Alton Towers’ new addition, “The Smiler,” has landed a big one—the world’s first 14-loop coaster. Confirmed by Tom Ibison of Guinness World Records, the ride’s 14 inversions are the most of any coaster in the world.

The £18 million (US$27.2 million) coaster, built by Gerstlauer Amusement Rides, is located in the park’s X-Sector. The ride’s twisting, convoluted track looks like something diabolical built by a daring kid with an Erector Set. Its elements include four corkscrews, three dive loops of up to 100 feet, a heartline roll, a cobra roll, a rollover, and a sidewinder … and it reaches a top speed of 85 km/h (53 mph) over 1,170 meters (3,839 feet)of track.

In addition to the physical elements, riders on “The Smiler’s” 16-seat trains are subjected to what the park terms as “psychological effects,” including “optical illusions, blinding lights, and jabbing needles designed to mess with your mind.”

According to Liz Greenwood, Alton Towers’ public relations manager, the ride’s name resulted from park surveys of numerous research groups and is a departure from the usual fare of coaster tags that allude to intense and frightening experiences. Instead, it celebrates the thrill of the journey.