If a woodie were to be built...

[Alastair]

The sudden splurge of woodie/hybrid coasters being built in the US combined with some early speculation about SW8/9 got me thinking; if a woodie were to be built at AT, which manufacturer would everyone prefer? There's quite a few, some that specialise more in hybrids, some that have pioneered inversions and some that concentrate more on good old fashioned airtimers.

If you choose other, please reply with which.

 

[Ted]

I went for an Intamin woodie, they look so awesome and I've heard they're very smooth as well.

However Realistically speaking, I think Alton should get a GCI, I think they're not that expensive, plus I think they're the 2nd best option.

=)

 

[Sammy]

I would say on the whole GCI, they are just damn amazing!!

As insane as RMC Hybrids look, they are just so ugly. Intamin ones look good, but the trouble is, you have to build them BIG really, that's just kinda how they work! So not ideal for Towers :\

Gravity Group would be my 2nd choice as they also have some amazing rides, I mean come on, The Voyage <3 However, they reportedly don't age brilliantly and the trains... I am really just not a fan of!


And one final point, CCI needs taking off the list, as they went under and are effectively now GCI

 

[Alastair]

And one final point, CCI needs taking off the list, as they went under and are effectively now GCI

Didn't realise! Done

 

[Harv]

How on earth are Rocky Mountain coasters ugly? They're the most beautiful coasters on the planet! Mmm, all that twisted wood is so aesthetically pleasing!

 

[Benzin]

Collossos at Heide was ridiculously over-rated...

I'm not a fan of the inverting ones from RMC, just don't look right...

Gravity Group I dunno about tbh...

GCI's are pretty good, if we could get sommat like Mountain Flyer (or whatever it is in China) at Towers that would be an excellent choice...

 

[BigAl]

If Alton are to ever get a woodie, I'd put my money on an RMC purely because they're...

1. smoother so that people will enjoy them for longer
2. quieter over other woodies which would especially help for a coaster utilising the valley
3. easier to maintain as there's less wood, more steel
4. probably cheaper to maintain
5. different to pretty much every other coaster on the planet other than the three in the US
6. it'd be easier to convince Merlin to allow them to build one as they're not technically wooden roller coasters, so AT could probably put a different spin on it when doing their research for ideas
7. they look stunning and the aesthetics of the rides are just as important to Alton (not that the others aren't)

Other than that, a small family GCI woodie somewhere where the noise won't reach people outside of the park. I know they aren't bad, but if people can say that Oblivion shakes their windows, nothing would surprise me.

 

[Rob]

I'd love an Intamin woodie but there's pretty much no chance of that happening. Anything with crazy El Toro like airtime would be immense.

Realistically though, these new RMC hybrids look very good. Though the ones that already exist are quite tall. They are quite unique though which would be good for Towers.

Saying all of that, I can see Towers getting a woodie in the near future at all, if it happens it will be in the 2020s and who knows what the industry will be like then. Thorpe are more likely to get one this decade I feel.

 

[Lottie.]

Either GCI or RMC... although I would like RMC for all these reasons that BigAl has already mentioned.

1. smoother so that people will enjoy them for longer
2. quieter over other woodies which would especially help for a coaster utilising the valley
3. easier to maintain as there's less wood, more steel
4. probably cheaper to maintain
5. different to pretty much every other coaster on the planet other than the three in the US
6. it'd be easier to convince Merlin to allow them to build one as they're not technically wooden roller coasters, so AT could probably put a different spin on it when doing their research for ideas
7. they look stunning and the aesthetics of the rides are just as important to Alton (not that the others aren't)

 

[Nick]

An Intamin would be my preference, purely because of the quality, power and consistency of the air-time. If a wooden coaster was built in the valley, and it was- for example- GG, then there could be some problems with the consistency of speed, and, when it ages, deterioration of quality. The coaster would have to last for years, and years- just like the current coasters. Secondly, as an out-and-back layout, the Intamin would be best- purely as it can provide the quality of air-time to sustain the thrills. I couldn't imagine GCI doing the same. Although a RMC would be nice, it's not really the same- and although it would give a good riding experience, I just can't imagine AT going with such as ride type. They are very subtle in the coasters, to conform with the height regulations, and a huge 80 degree drop would not fit in at all. These coasters are supposed to be looked at, but who will ever see it in the valley. The structure would also need to be wooden, to give it that natural look and make it hide away in the trees. So a steel structured GG would not really be suitable. The noise from the Intamin is, probably- I could be wrong, less.

I've given this coaster a lot of thought.

Although another possibility is a family GCI, possibly behind Duel. Just something very compact with a lot of fast turns and small pops of air would be great.

 

[BigAl]

An RMC doesn't have to have an 80 degree drop and most of it would still be visible as only the valley drops and a turn around would be mostly covered.

 

[CGM]

Intamin, no question. It would be a guaranteed world class coaster. In the Mitch Hawker Poll this year, every single Intamin Prefab was in the top ten. Balder is the best coaster I've been on, the airtime it provides is unlike any other coaster I've ridden and it's beautifully smooth. A similar ride but with the scenery of the valley, higher speeds and 200 ft changes in elevation would be a Nemesis beater, I'm sure of it.

Traditional woodies can be brilliant too but without enough TLC, they quickly become uncomfortably rough, particularly if they're over the 100 ft mark. They require a park that cares a lot for its coasters and I don't think Alton would provide the necessary maintenance to ensure it stays a good ride. Intamin wooden coasters on the other hand can be treated a lot like a steel coaster.

If not Intamin, probably RMC would be my next choice.

 

[BigAl]

I posted this on Facebook yesterday, but I'll include it here as well.

A couple of weeks back I was interested in finding out how a GCI Millennium Flyer Train compared with a Timberliner from GG, so I had a quick look on Google and apparently the best for airtime and comfort are the Millennium Flyer trains.

According to most people the restraints on Timberliners frequently staple people into the trains which isn't great on wooden coasters. Most people also pointed out that they preferred the aesthetics of the GCI trains as well. Though that point doesn't bother me so much for a park like Alton Towers who would get them themed in some way anyway, people generally don't seem to like the front bit on the GG Timberliners.

I can't say for sure whether the Timberliner trains are superior as I've only experienced Gwazi's Millennium Flyer trains. I haven't ever even seen or been on a GG woodie! But basically, should Alton Towers ever want to go for a traditional wooden roller coaster from GG or GCI, they should probably go for a GCI if they want to please the majority of people. It'd also probably be cheaper if Mack are supposedly the company that sort out GCI woodies in Europe (no idea if that's true but I read it somewhere anyway ).

That said, it seems that GG are becoming a bit more adventurous with their rides (a prime example being the inversion being added to Hades over in the US), and if the GB public are apparently reduced to nervous wreck at the meer site of a wooden roller coaster, perhaps being stapled in would be more appropriate? :S

I'd still prefer a Topper Track RMC though!

 

[Scott]

From Chessie Buzz

I love wooden roller coasters as much as you do! The problem is that the general public doesn’t "get" what is so special about them and they therefore don’t represent good investments because historically parks will not achieve the visitor uplift required to pay for them. It is, I agree, very frustrating.

Well we can kiss goodbye to wood again...

 

[Rob]

I do understand that point to an extent. I suppose we just have to hope that a UK park takes a risk and that it turns out to be successful. There clearly is a market for wooden coasters otherwise they wouldn't be built at all.

 

[TheMan]

From Chessie Buzz

I love wooden roller coasters as much as you do! The problem is that the general public doesn’t "get" what is so special about them and they therefore don’t represent good investments because historically parks will not achieve the visitor uplift required to pay for them. It is, I agree, very frustrating.

Well we can kiss goodbye to wood again...

Now that is interesting, and it just proves how mistranslation can occur.

It wasn't that the public perceive them to be dangerous, they just don't on the whole "get" them and therefore won't create the market uplift needed to recoup the investment.

You know what I personally disagree with that statement, but then I am an "enthusiast". He may though unfortunately have a point, and he does have a business to run.

It is though, nice to hear directly as to why this is, as up till now it's been second hand information that I've heard.

 

[DiogoJ42]

I'm an enthusiast, and even I don't "get" what's so special about wood. They are fun, but I'd always take steel over wood. Unless it's Furious Baco

*Braces for the inevitable backlash and rude, condescending remarks. Please spare me the tired old claptrap and accept that I have a different view for once, OK?*

 

[Scott]

Though the fact they don't "get" them can be, in turn, linked with the idea that they may be seen as unsafe or boring. However, this is all because the GP in the UK don't have an easily accessible example of a good, modern woodie. A big wooden coaster at a Merlin park would attract crowds, but maybe only after people ride it and realise how good they can be... Unfortunately these days an instant hit seems to be needed in Merlin parks rather than a slow-burner.

 

[IanB]

I feel sad saying this, but with the height restriction at Towers, I don't think they could pull it off.

I think they could make a decent ride, but it would not have that Impressive look to it, that Wodan has.

Nick, take your business head off, put your Roller Coaster head on, put your hand in the Merlin HQ Petty Cash box, and build the biggest wooden coaster in Europe at one of your UK Parks please?

Ian

 

[BigAl]

The thing is, GCI and GG coasters cost next to nothing. A quick Google and you'll see that they can build something amazing for about the same price as Sub Terra and Ice Age cost. One would make a great family attraction one year, if they ever do decide to just go for it!