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Talbot Street Tuesday/Thursday (Picture Heavy)
- Thread starter Dave
- Start date
Sammy
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Untamed - Walibi Holland
Re: Talbot Street Tuesday (Picture Heavy)
They are nice designs, far prefer the first one as the 2006 one just seems far far too random! The central features are not at all cohesive and would just have looked a jumbled mess and blocked the view far too much! However, I really like the first one with the central grass mound and bridges, would have looked really nice. Rather amusing as I had a lecture at Uni on Tuesday where one of the tutors made the comment "Around 15 years ago every landscape design had a compass in it" Nice to see that Towers was no exception the the rule
The only major problem I can see with both of the potential designs, is that they both dramatically reduce the available area for people to walk down the street, which in the busy early morning and closing periods... Would not have good results!
They are nice designs, far prefer the first one as the 2006 one just seems far far too random! The central features are not at all cohesive and would just have looked a jumbled mess and blocked the view far too much! However, I really like the first one with the central grass mound and bridges, would have looked really nice. Rather amusing as I had a lecture at Uni on Tuesday where one of the tutors made the comment "Around 15 years ago every landscape design had a compass in it" Nice to see that Towers was no exception the the rule
The only major problem I can see with both of the potential designs, is that they both dramatically reduce the available area for people to walk down the street, which in the busy early morning and closing periods... Would not have good results!
Re: Talbot Street Tuesday (Picture Heavy)
I remember then2006 concept well. It came to light originally at the same time as the 'just add water' attraction concept for the old swan boat lake. There was a massive out cry at the time because the iconic frog fountains were to be lost in the renovations!
I'm not a huge fan if the themed island idea, I think they all look to cluttered and distract from the spectacular view as you enter th spark.
I remember then2006 concept well. It came to light originally at the same time as the 'just add water' attraction concept for the old swan boat lake. There was a massive out cry at the time because the iconic frog fountains were to be lost in the renovations!
I'm not a huge fan if the themed island idea, I think they all look to cluttered and distract from the spectacular view as you enter th spark.
djtruefitt
TS Team
Re: Talbot Street Tuesday (Picture Heavy)
As you may have noticed there has been no Talbot Street Tuesday this week. We thought with all the exciting Alton Towers news so far this week, we would give Talbot Street Tuesday a little break.
But fear not! For one week only tomorrow we bring you Talbot Street Thursday!!
As you may have noticed there has been no Talbot Street Tuesday this week. We thought with all the exciting Alton Towers news so far this week, we would give Talbot Street Tuesday a little break.
But fear not! For one week only tomorrow we bring you Talbot Street Thursday!!
djtruefitt
TS Team
Re: Talbot Street Tuesday (Picture Heavy)
Fear not Towseriv! Talbot StreetTuesday Thursday is now here, for one week only!
This week we are having a look inside Cariba Creek during its winter maintenance in the closed season 2010/2011.
Every year in January the water is emptied from the pool and various repairs are done. Here you can see the pool has been emptied and work has started resurfacing and repainting the walls and floor of the pool.
The staff here are cleaning and preparing the floor, ready to be painted.
All the light fittings and drain covers are removed before the surface is cleaned and painted.
Various different paint pots ready to be used for the new floor.
You will notice on this photo they have masked the slide and stone work around the edge of the pool, this is to stop them getting the new white paint on the other features.
A general overview of the water park during its maintenance.
Pick a colour, any colour!
Here you can see the workers working on the detailing on the pool floor.
Work is also taking place on the Paradise Plumbers section, as you can see with the scafolding.
Half of the main pool has now been repainted, can you guess which half?
Here you can see the workers doing more work on the main section of the swimming pool.
A fresh painted section of the pool.
Fear not Towseriv! Talbot Street
This week we are having a look inside Cariba Creek during its winter maintenance in the closed season 2010/2011.
Every year in January the water is emptied from the pool and various repairs are done. Here you can see the pool has been emptied and work has started resurfacing and repainting the walls and floor of the pool.
The staff here are cleaning and preparing the floor, ready to be painted.
All the light fittings and drain covers are removed before the surface is cleaned and painted.
Various different paint pots ready to be used for the new floor.
You will notice on this photo they have masked the slide and stone work around the edge of the pool, this is to stop them getting the new white paint on the other features.
A general overview of the water park during its maintenance.
Pick a colour, any colour!
Here you can see the workers working on the detailing on the pool floor.
Work is also taking place on the Paradise Plumbers section, as you can see with the scafolding.
Half of the main pool has now been repainted, can you guess which half?
Here you can see the workers doing more work on the main section of the swimming pool.
A fresh painted section of the pool.
djtruefitt
TS Team
Re: Talbot Street Tuesday (Picture Heavy)
Everybody loves aerial photography, right? But here at TST we particularly like aerial photos from the past, so come and join us whilst we take a quick hover over Talbot Street through the years. We start today back in the park's very early years as a vistor attraction. In the 60s and 70s a travelling style fairground operated on the area now known as Cloud Cuckoo Land. Despite much having changed, various familiar landmarks are already in place. At the bottom right hand croner of the photo can be seen the building that now houses the Driving School's 'Car Wash', which is actually one fo the oldest buildings on the site other than the Towers and back then it housed a museum of Traction Engines.. The large building that is now the Cloud Cuckoo Land Theatre can also clearly be seen, operating then as a Fun House and even the Talbot Restaurant (most recently Burger King) can be seen nestled in the trees at the bottom of the photo.
Guests would have paid for individual rides, rather than an entrance fee and as can be seen in this photo from another angle, the rides in the Fairground changed fairly regularly to keep the area fresh, with the addition of a helter-skelter. You might also notice a new building has been added alongside the Traction Engine Musuem at the top of the image; this was a large Penny Arcade, and the building still exists today as the Driving School Education Centre and Driving License Collection Point. Notice also that the Fairground largely occupied the space now used for the defunct Nickelodeon: Outta Control attraction and Ice Age Shop.
A slightly blurry shot, showing the Fairground in its final years. Many of the now familar structures remain, but a notable addition can be seen on the site now occupied by Wobble World, where a Giant Slide (or Astroglide) has now appeared. This attracion would prove to be so popular that it would be one of the few to remian after the Fairground closed down in 1979. You might also want to pay attention the large amount of woodland seen to the left of the photo.
Now you see it, now you don't. By 1986, Talbot Street is wel establised and massive amounts of that woodland has been cleared, to leave the area looking more familiar to its modern appearance (and just waiting for the addition of the Beast and Mouse in 1988). Notable additions here include Around the World in 80 Days (now Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and the Hold Tight Arena (demolished to make way for the Wobble World building). Towards the bottom of the picture can be seen the relocated Astroglide, in it's new home of Adventureland 4-11 alongside the Miniapple, and the 4 Man Bob Coaster has appeared behind the Talbot Street Theatre. Other notable appearances included Kiddies Kingdom at the very top of the image as well as Fantasy Land (now X Sector) with the striking gree and yellow Black Hole tent.
And finally welcome to 1992 and the final year of Talbot Street. Two notable additions to the area come in the form of the motor Museum to the right of the picture (now Wobble World) in place of the Hold Tight Arena and the Octopus at the end of the street, which had arrived from Aqualand. This is after Tussauds had taken over and started removing many rides, includeing the 4 Man Bob, who's site can be seen empty behind the theatre. This would also be the final years for the Astroglide, seen at the bottom of the picture. Most notable in this image though is Towers Street and Merrie England, sprawling out into the distance.
Everybody loves aerial photography, right? But here at TST we particularly like aerial photos from the past, so come and join us whilst we take a quick hover over Talbot Street through the years. We start today back in the park's very early years as a vistor attraction. In the 60s and 70s a travelling style fairground operated on the area now known as Cloud Cuckoo Land. Despite much having changed, various familiar landmarks are already in place. At the bottom right hand croner of the photo can be seen the building that now houses the Driving School's 'Car Wash', which is actually one fo the oldest buildings on the site other than the Towers and back then it housed a museum of Traction Engines.. The large building that is now the Cloud Cuckoo Land Theatre can also clearly be seen, operating then as a Fun House and even the Talbot Restaurant (most recently Burger King) can be seen nestled in the trees at the bottom of the photo.
Guests would have paid for individual rides, rather than an entrance fee and as can be seen in this photo from another angle, the rides in the Fairground changed fairly regularly to keep the area fresh, with the addition of a helter-skelter. You might also notice a new building has been added alongside the Traction Engine Musuem at the top of the image; this was a large Penny Arcade, and the building still exists today as the Driving School Education Centre and Driving License Collection Point. Notice also that the Fairground largely occupied the space now used for the defunct Nickelodeon: Outta Control attraction and Ice Age Shop.
A slightly blurry shot, showing the Fairground in its final years. Many of the now familar structures remain, but a notable addition can be seen on the site now occupied by Wobble World, where a Giant Slide (or Astroglide) has now appeared. This attracion would prove to be so popular that it would be one of the few to remian after the Fairground closed down in 1979. You might also want to pay attention the large amount of woodland seen to the left of the photo.
Now you see it, now you don't. By 1986, Talbot Street is wel establised and massive amounts of that woodland has been cleared, to leave the area looking more familiar to its modern appearance (and just waiting for the addition of the Beast and Mouse in 1988). Notable additions here include Around the World in 80 Days (now Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and the Hold Tight Arena (demolished to make way for the Wobble World building). Towards the bottom of the picture can be seen the relocated Astroglide, in it's new home of Adventureland 4-11 alongside the Miniapple, and the 4 Man Bob Coaster has appeared behind the Talbot Street Theatre. Other notable appearances included Kiddies Kingdom at the very top of the image as well as Fantasy Land (now X Sector) with the striking gree and yellow Black Hole tent.
And finally welcome to 1992 and the final year of Talbot Street. Two notable additions to the area come in the form of the motor Museum to the right of the picture (now Wobble World) in place of the Hold Tight Arena and the Octopus at the end of the street, which had arrived from Aqualand. This is after Tussauds had taken over and started removing many rides, includeing the 4 Man Bob, who's site can be seen empty behind the theatre. This would also be the final years for the Astroglide, seen at the bottom of the picture. Most notable in this image though is Towers Street and Merrie England, sprawling out into the distance.
djtruefitt
TS Team
Re: Talbot Street Tuesday (Picture Heavy)
Slightly later than usual, here is this weeks Talbot Street Tuesday:
We take to the skies over the past once again for this week's Talbot Street Tuesday, and so let's take a look at Towers Street in around 1993. Whilst the layout is familiar, the street is dominated by the geometic brick planters, as was the style of the area in the 80s.
Other notable features include the trellis work filling the entrance plaza, and at the foot of the street can be seen the Sea Lion enclosure on the left as well as Kiddies Kingdom and the entrances to the Big Top and Farmyard on the right.
Talking of which let's take a quick look at the Farm, back when it was still a functioning farmyard, complete with several animal enclosures. The Canal Boat Ride (now Riverbank Eyespy) dominates the area, with animal paddocks where today stands The Dung Heap, Old MacDonald's Tractor Ride and Santa's Workshop.
Notice how large the yard itself was before the Doodle Doo Derby and Dovecote were built. To the right of the image can be seen the recently relocated Big Top, alongside the windmill, before it was relocated nearer to the farm entrance to make way for Storybook Land.
Travelling further back in time we reach 1989, with the brand new farm in the distance (note the lack of pond in the yard) and Aqualand in the foreground, including the Big Top in its original position behind Towers Street as well as the Tea Cups and Skyride.
Another hop back in time takes us to 1986 and Towers Street under construction, and much of the rest of this end of the park.
At the top of the image is the sprawling water rides of Aqualand (including the Grand Canyon Rapids, which are under construction themselves and nearing completion, with the water having been added to the attraction).
At the centre bottom of the image can be seen Kiddies Kingdom (now Adventure Land), which is also under construction, alongside the field that would later house the Farmyard. In the bottom righthand corner can be seen the paddling pool, which now has the Goal Striker (or Carnival of Screams) built on top of it.
A closer look at the construction also gives a better look at Aqualand behind it. Smaller rides such as the Octopus, Mississippi Showboat and Cine360 can be seen dotted around the Courtyard building.
This image was taken during the closed season and beyond the construction can be seen the site which would normally house the Big Top, which seems to have been dismantled for some maintenance.
Finally today lets hop back even further to the 60s, and the area before any large scale construction had taken place. Whilst at first it might seem unfamiliar, many features still seen in the park area already present even here, including the boating lake and Courtyard in the distance. In the bottom left hand corner can be seen the relatively recently built park entrance road, which is the same entrance guests still drive through today.
The prominent hedgerow at the centre of the picture is in roughly the same position that the entrance turn-styles are now located, whilst the path running through it would more or less run straight down the centre of the street today.
Slightly later than usual, here is this weeks Talbot Street Tuesday:
We take to the skies over the past once again for this week's Talbot Street Tuesday, and so let's take a look at Towers Street in around 1993. Whilst the layout is familiar, the street is dominated by the geometic brick planters, as was the style of the area in the 80s.
Other notable features include the trellis work filling the entrance plaza, and at the foot of the street can be seen the Sea Lion enclosure on the left as well as Kiddies Kingdom and the entrances to the Big Top and Farmyard on the right.
Talking of which let's take a quick look at the Farm, back when it was still a functioning farmyard, complete with several animal enclosures. The Canal Boat Ride (now Riverbank Eyespy) dominates the area, with animal paddocks where today stands The Dung Heap, Old MacDonald's Tractor Ride and Santa's Workshop.
Notice how large the yard itself was before the Doodle Doo Derby and Dovecote were built. To the right of the image can be seen the recently relocated Big Top, alongside the windmill, before it was relocated nearer to the farm entrance to make way for Storybook Land.
Travelling further back in time we reach 1989, with the brand new farm in the distance (note the lack of pond in the yard) and Aqualand in the foreground, including the Big Top in its original position behind Towers Street as well as the Tea Cups and Skyride.
Another hop back in time takes us to 1986 and Towers Street under construction, and much of the rest of this end of the park.
At the top of the image is the sprawling water rides of Aqualand (including the Grand Canyon Rapids, which are under construction themselves and nearing completion, with the water having been added to the attraction).
At the centre bottom of the image can be seen Kiddies Kingdom (now Adventure Land), which is also under construction, alongside the field that would later house the Farmyard. In the bottom righthand corner can be seen the paddling pool, which now has the Goal Striker (or Carnival of Screams) built on top of it.
A closer look at the construction also gives a better look at Aqualand behind it. Smaller rides such as the Octopus, Mississippi Showboat and Cine360 can be seen dotted around the Courtyard building.
This image was taken during the closed season and beyond the construction can be seen the site which would normally house the Big Top, which seems to have been dismantled for some maintenance.
Finally today lets hop back even further to the 60s, and the area before any large scale construction had taken place. Whilst at first it might seem unfamiliar, many features still seen in the park area already present even here, including the boating lake and Courtyard in the distance. In the bottom left hand corner can be seen the relatively recently built park entrance road, which is the same entrance guests still drive through today.
The prominent hedgerow at the centre of the picture is in roughly the same position that the entrance turn-styles are now located, whilst the path running through it would more or less run straight down the centre of the street today.
Shockadelica
TS Member
Re: Talbot Street Tuesday (Picture Heavy)
Yep, totally agree. Ee, it takes me back to my own personal golden age of visiting the park.
josht said:These are truely great photos
Yep, totally agree. Ee, it takes me back to my own personal golden age of visiting the park.
djtruefitt
TS Team
Re: Talbot Street Tuesday (Picture Heavy)
Welcome to another Talbot Street Tuesday, our weekly look back in time!
This week we are heading back to 2005 and another one of Tussauds wacky ideas known as Product Dolphin. The idea was to give guests 'once in a lifetime' experiences.
This first concept is a mixture between a swimming pool and a sea life centre. Something Merlin went back to with the creation of Sharkbait Reef.
This is another one of the ideas for project Dolphin, with the creation of child friendly rock pools and play areas.
These are some of the various ideas/areas that would have been created for Project Dolphin.
Another idea by Tussauds centred on a lost temple theme. An idea for the redevelopment of the Ice Arena in storybook land which would close at the end of the 2005 season.
Finally this week another garden concept from 2006. This is not part of the same group as the other set of concepts from a few weeks ago, but is thought to be linked to it somehow..
Welcome to another Talbot Street Tuesday, our weekly look back in time!
This week we are heading back to 2005 and another one of Tussauds wacky ideas known as Product Dolphin. The idea was to give guests 'once in a lifetime' experiences.
This first concept is a mixture between a swimming pool and a sea life centre. Something Merlin went back to with the creation of Sharkbait Reef.
This is another one of the ideas for project Dolphin, with the creation of child friendly rock pools and play areas.
These are some of the various ideas/areas that would have been created for Project Dolphin.
Another idea by Tussauds centred on a lost temple theme. An idea for the redevelopment of the Ice Arena in storybook land which would close at the end of the 2005 season.
Finally this week another garden concept from 2006. This is not part of the same group as the other set of concepts from a few weeks ago, but is thought to be linked to it somehow..
Re: Talbot Street Tuesday (Picture Heavy)
Don't think merlin really looked at any of these plans tbf. I imagine the first thing they thought was to add in a cheap attraction, and synergise their current brands whilst they got used to the way the parks run and their finances.
Sealife was just an easy one really.
Don't think merlin really looked at any of these plans tbf. I imagine the first thing they thought was to add in a cheap attraction, and synergise their current brands whilst they got used to the way the parks run and their finances.
Sealife was just an easy one really.
djtruefitt
TS Team
Re: Talbot Street Tuesday (Picture Heavy)
After all the excitment on Tuesday, we have a short but sweet Talbot StreetTuesday Thursday for you this week, looking at the concepts for creating Merrie England out of Aqua Land. First up we have a concept for what the area's 3D Cinema and various restaurants might have looked like in the new theme. Clearly from these concepts the scale of the retheme was somewhat deminished, with the buildings never seeing the amount of attention in the concepts, and the Jousting tent being dropped altogether. Looking at the same scene through Mutiny Bay today, we'd be looking at Pirate's Quest, Eastern Express, Sharkbait Reef and the unit that will this season open as one of the new Burger Kitchens. Feathers Mclaw resides roughly in the same area as the Jousting Tent would have been.
Looking in the other direction towards the Skyride, we see a range of buildings that were never built at all. Instead a small games unit was added that today sits alongside Heave Ho, which would dominate this image if it were taken today. In the photograph of Aqua Land note the huge radio controlled car arena below the Skyride. Throughout the 80s radio controlled models were one of the main attractions in this area.
Finally this week, on the far side of the area, we have the concept to turn Aqua Land's Pitstop restaurant into 'Victor's Feast'. When this unit was finally rethemed it actually became Knight's Feast, although today you would know it better as the Mexican Catina and Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop.
After all the excitment on Tuesday, we have a short but sweet Talbot Street
Looking in the other direction towards the Skyride, we see a range of buildings that were never built at all. Instead a small games unit was added that today sits alongside Heave Ho, which would dominate this image if it were taken today. In the photograph of Aqua Land note the huge radio controlled car arena below the Skyride. Throughout the 80s radio controlled models were one of the main attractions in this area.
Finally this week, on the far side of the area, we have the concept to turn Aqua Land's Pitstop restaurant into 'Victor's Feast'. When this unit was finally rethemed it actually became Knight's Feast, although today you would know it better as the Mexican Catina and Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop.