DistortAMG
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- POTC Disneyland Paris
Why would it need new trains? The track and supports are closing in on 30 years old, the trains are not.
It's possible, Hulk did, after all, but feels lower priority.
I would counter argue that with while the trains have probably had many bits and pieces replaced over the years. The main bulk of the train, aka the chassis, or backbone if you like, is more than likely the same age as the track and supports. That might last a while longer, I do not know the condition of the chassis. But it has been going round and round a high intensity ride for 30 years now. So who knows.
This is not me saying I agree that the trains will be replaced, just pedantic old me pointing a valid point out. Generally to consider a train having been replaced, it would be when the chassis is replaced, like wise, when determining the true age of a train, you generally take it from the chassis age. To my knowledge that has never been replaced. So I would say the true age of the trains are the same age as the ride. Despite having new seats, wheels, bogies, restraints ect.
If the chassis has been looked after, which I assume it has. It is in affect like a newer train I guess, so I do sort of agree with and understand what you are saying. But a point will come, when the cost of maintaining an ever aging chassis outweighs the cost of replacing it. As every year, more work (and money) will be needed to get that chassis back up to a decent condition as metal fatigue and what not increases with the ageing of the metal. I guess they could buy a new chassis and bolt all the seats, wheel assemblies and restraints and what not on to it. But I cannot imagine a new chassis being cheap, so it could be more cost effective to just get a whole new train, especially if the time is near for a lot of the components that bolt on to the chassis need replacing within a few years anyway.
If the chassis has been looked after and I imagine it has, being Alton Towers. The year on year work needed to get it back up to scratch will be somewhat mitigated by the very good maintenance it has had. But science is science and the work needed will be still be increasing year on year. I guess they would look at the ever increasing yearly maintenance of the trains against the outlay of new ones to work out what the most long term cost effective solution would be. From my understanding atleast.
Who knows, exciting times either way!
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