The Future of Skyride

[DiogoJ42]

Here's my theory on how the refurb will go:
1) This closed sason, remove the old cable and guide wheels.
2) Leave the towers to rust for the next decade.
3) ...Profit?

 

[lozzyhickers]

As the entertainment was ending on the lawns this evening we slowly walked down to FV to the restaurant. Same some construction vehicles drive down towards gloomy wood with a truck carrying some sets of wheels for the cables. So work is still obviously in progress.

 

[Alphe86]

Likewise. There’s staff working on DF station today

 

[spinba11]

The cables are “relatively” new, the TS to FV one was replaced during the 2011 season (the actual work being done when the park was closed so it took a couple of months), the FV to DF one was replaced winter 09/10 after the fire in the DF station

Anyone know if all 42 cabins are still serviceable as on Google map you can see what looks 5 cabins outside the maintenance building.

 

[Poisson]

The cabins are still in production I think so that's not a major issue

 

[John]

When the skyride last operated there were a lot of cabins off the system, visible through the garage doors at TS station. Whether or not they've brought back into use is another matter.

 

[AT86]

Gondolas are back on the circuit.



Link

 

[DanJB]

Current state of the FV station. Looks like the big pulley (for the side that goes to Towers Street) has been removed and is sat on pallets, with what I think is its axle in the foreground.

 

[spinba11]

If FV looks like that why were they putting a cabin on at TS the other day.

 

[AT86]

Perhaps they have also been working on the transfer track and were testing it?

 

[DiogoJ42]

If FV looks like that why were they putting a cabin on at TS the other day.

Good spot!
Maybe they tried a gondola on the wire, realised it was sagging too much, and had to dismantle the pully to tweak the tensioning system....??????

 

[spinba11]

Tensioning is done at TS/DF not at FV.

 

[DiogoJ42]

Tensioning is done at TS/DF not at FV.

Seconds after I posted that, I thought "hang on, if I was designing such a system, I'd put the tensioning system at the other end than the drive wheel..."

 

[DistortAMG]

They may have re done all the mechanicals in the station are testing clearances in the station.

 

[AltonLover123]

Whilst on park earlier I saw a man in a Poma uniform.

Can only be a good thing if they’re using manufacturer workers too?

 

[flyingguitar]

Whilst on park earlier I saw a man in a Poma uniform.

Can only be a good thing if they’re using manufacturer workers too?

or they found something and called the manurfactures. Which could be concerning

 

[Poisson]

Don't see why you wouldn't get the manufacturers in during the extended outage to inspect it. Not sure it's all doom.

 

[DistortAMG]

I am sure the big signs put up last year or the year before outside the stations, stated they were working with the manufacturer.

 

[AltonLover123]

Don't see why you wouldn't get the manufacturers in during the extended outage to inspect it. Not sure it's all doom.

Of course. Yet people still claim they’ve done no work on it and it’s clearly not going to be ready for next season.

I was just trying to inject some hope

 

[s_g_k]

I watched a very soothing recent POV of Skyride and it featured a heritage style narrative throughout the journey. I can’t recall ever hearing that myself, so I’m not sure if this was a more recent addition before its closure? Either way, I hope that soundtrack returns.

Skyride and the monorail are vital pieces of infrastructure that should be maintained. Attractions in themselves, but they’re also a key mobility service even if the park doesn’t advertise them as such.

Even my fit rower’s legs get tired at Towers!