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Secret Weapon 7 Discussion

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I reckon we will see some track go into the hole before the season ends then they will cover that, build the station then the rest of the track flies up (Saw took 2 weeks I think). Th13teen struggled partly due to the queue having not been built but primarily because the roller coaster did not work (over speeding). I really doubt there will be trick track to contend with on this project so it should hopefully be less complex to get working.
 
Dammit, Dave beat me to it! Yeah, once the track is on park it will fly up, Eurofighters are one of the quickest coasters to erect (lol) once you get down to it. The majority of time spent on this during closed season will be around landscaping, themeing, getting the site finished and testing. They'll have it dont on time, don't panic!

Can I just say I think it's a shame that people are being so negative towards Merlin and Towers regarding getting this done on time. I thought we were enthusiasts that loved the park we support! Negative comments regarding possibly not getting the project finish on time isn't nice. That's just my feeling anyway :)
 
Track arrives this weekend apparently, As far as I'm aware, suspicions are correct in believing that it will be stored at the Pinewood Green Room on park (located behind duel) I don't think it will be stored on the car park as any member of the public can walk into that area, whereas the area I've been told it's being placed has a security gate in front.

Again, this is only rumor, I cannot be held responsible if I'm wrong, blah blah blah. Word of Mouth etc.
 
I may be an enthusiast, but I'm also a realist. Merlin's track record deserves skepticism. They are a company, not a little old lady, so not being "nice" won't affect them in the the slightest. Besides, what have they done to earn some "nice"?
 
I didn't say "be nice" to them, just that being pessimistic about it being completed on time, to me, isn't nice. That's all I meant by it...I'm just a glass half full kinda guy that's all :p

Each to their own and all that :)
 
Aim low and avoid dissapointment seems fair.

I'd rather think the rides going to be late then happy its on time, then sure it'll open on time and be dissapointed its not.

Either way it doesnt matter really in the long run! It'll open at some point!

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
 
It's not the track I'm worried about. As track is simple to put together. It's just an already complete ride that gets put together like a puzzle.

The rest of the project there could be some serious issues though and that's where my (and I'm sure others) worry about the construction not being completed on time. Th13teen's track was complete by the end of the 2009 season (well, pretty much complete) and they still really scrapped the barrel getting it open by opening day. I can see the same happening here. Last winter wasn't too bad so I can see the UK having a really severe winter this year. Which will, much like Th13teen, cause a lot of problems.

There's a part of me that still has faith in them though. I'm just comparing this to past SW projects, and given the scale of this project, as well of the fact it's on a pretty dramatic landscape I do have a few concerns as to whether the March 2013 target will be hit.
 
I can see it opening on time if only for the fact that it would cost them too much if it didn't. I'm very excited by this project, and I'd love to see it given a good level of fanfare when it opens! Am I right to think this is Merlin's first thrill rollercoaster at Alton Towers?
 
Everyone keeps talking about how it wont open on time but realistically, look at all of Merlin's coasters to date...

Saw: The Ride - Opened on time (Although suffering a major breakdown on the day)
Thirteen - Opened on time
Swarm - Opened on time
Kobra - Opened on time.

I personally have every faith in Alton Towers, I am sure they will pull it out of the bag!
 
Okay lets look at Th13teen. Yes it opened on time. But look at how half-arsed and rushed it was. They were finishing the ride off the night before opening day!

Projects should not have workmen around the night before. It should be finished at least a week before opening. Then they have time to walk through the area and make any adjustments or finishes that can compliment the area and ride ready for opening. Not rushing to get it done the night before then leaving it. That only leads to parts feeling uncompleted and the rushed job looking, well, rushed.
 
Also while it ran sublimely during the opening week it suffered series breakdowns after that, resulting in a weekly closure later on in the year. Notice that both Thirteen and Sub-Terra have had to be closed like this due to problems that could have been fixed if the project hadn't been behind.
 
To sway the topic off construction worries. A press release from Alton Towers today has revealed the capacity per train.

Passengers per ride train – 16 (4x rows of 4)
Click to expand...

So 64 passengers on the track at once is about right. One train in the first section, one train in the second section, one train in the underground section and finally one train on the brake run. Ta da!
 
Is
The first of its kind in the world
Click to expand...
their way of saying it's a completely brand new world first or is it like Air is the first B&M Flyer, when the Vekoma thing was the first actual flyer?
 
Have Merlin ever (since taking over Tussauds) opened a project late?

I don't think so, and I highly doubt this'll open late either. It might not be completely finished, but it'll open on park opening date.
 
For those who wish to read the full press release, here it is. :D

In March 2013, the Alton Towers Resort will launch it's biggest ever ride.

In March 2013, the Alton Towers Resort will launch its biggest ever ride. The first of its kind in the world, the rollercoaster will be the biggest ever investment for a ride at the Resort.

Whilst many of the details are still a closely guarded secret, here are a few exclusive facts about the ride, codenamed Secret Weapon 7!

Highest drop – 30m

Maximum speed – approx 85km/hr which is 10km/hr faster than Air

Track length – 1,170m. This is 3x the length of Oblivion

Ride time – 165 seconds which is 3x the ride time of Rita

Passengers per ride train – 16 (4x rows of 4)

Minimum rider height – 1.4m

Location – X Sector, on the site of the old Black Hole ride

Investment for the Resort - £18m

Opening date – 16th March 2013
Click to expand...



Dar said:
Is
The first of its kind in the world
Click to expand...
their way of saying it's a completely brand new world first or is it like Air is the first B&M Flyer, when the Vekoma thing was the first actual flyer?
Click to expand...

I read that as it will be something like Air. Although the marketing terms for the 'world first' has changed several times now. We've had world first, world beating and now first of its kind in the world. Each term can be read differently. So its anyone's guess what it will actually be.
 
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