[The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation

[Prometheus]

I agree with Jared. Deffo seen some of those components on Rage's moving fins, like the pistons and what look to be shock absorbers or springs. You can see them here:

Going to have a look for some decent shots of friction brakes and see if any more components match those on the section of Smiler track.

If they do match, I'm thinking standard brake run track.

EDIT: Yup, standard brake run, half of those components are for the moving fins and the other half are friction brakes. The components for the friction brakes are squeezed into a very tight space so the whole lot looks like one big funky mechanism.

 

[Josh]

Having now seen those pictures of Rage, its pretty obvious that its part of the brake run, as (especially in the last picture) it looks exactly the same as the one on Rage.

Oh well, when's the next thing that looks exciting, but actually means nothing going to crop up?

 

[Ian]

It's not the same as rage look at bottom, there are shock absorbing discs and look at the mounting points.

This would be exactly like I would expect for the middle of a washing machine element. Brake fins would be needed also to lock the train in position.

Whether its liked or not, more evidence is starting to appear supporting the washing machine theory.

I don't think standard brake fins, be they magnetic or friction, would be sufficient to lock a 5+ tonne train in place whilst it inverts at a standstill. There'd need to be some other mechanism.

I agree. Fins are generally used to sheer speed of a moving object quickly and efficiently, but when it comes to holding an object they don't really have much use.

Intamin use magnets to slow trains down, but any holding or securing is usually done with kicker wheels which lock into place when the train is in the desired position.

B&M use magnets followed by a mechanical set to hold the train still. Gerst seem to do the same.

I've always found Gerst use of fins on their MCBRs to be a bit odd though. The way they pop up and down is very unusual to me, and I don't recall seeing another ride which does it. Watch the following POV of Mystery Mine and you'll see what I mean. As soon as the train is at the right speed the fins pop down under the track, then rise back up when they need to slow something.

Mystery Mine Roller Coaster Front Seat POV Dollywood

As you can see though, the fins are usually accompanied with a mechanical brake to halt the train if needed.

I wouldn't be surprised if this section of track is going to be before one of the two lifts, with the fins to trim the speed down for the lift to engage. It's a shame we can't see the track segment number. If we saw that we could work out where it was going to be positioned.

Also, regarding the fact it's covered partially, it could be to protect it from the elements, or it could have just been done to wind us all up and think more of it than there is. Remember the Ice Cream van a few months back?

---

On the subject of the washing machine, if it is happening I doubt very much Alton would leave it in the car parks as Rob has said. They learnt that lesson after Air, when the trains were seen in the car park, and pretty much blew the secret open! I'd expect it to be in Studios, or one of the workshops around the park to help keep it under wraps, if it were to happen.

However, I still remain skeptical it will happen.

 

[BigT]

Ok you want evidence, well lets have a look shall we:-

1) large concrete slab next to the station with nothing built on it, right where a secret element would be going.
2) no building work at all on this section when the rest of the building steel is finished.
3) work on site going at snails pace awaiting delivery of something. (The project manager will know ETA)
Weather delays things slightly but not this much. Nothing would get built in this country if it did.
4) piece of track delivered that would fit into a secret element. It's not even close to the rage picture, and it wouldn't be in one piece either as its too big for a lorry.

Added together I'd say there is growing evidence that this element exists and what about the evidence against:-

Nothing except its not already there and a few team members on here giving it out like they know what's defiantly going on.
Well come on then if you know what's happening then share it with us all and give your sources, if not then stop giving it out as gospel that's is defiantly not happening.
Personally it's starting to sound like sour grapes right now.

 

[cotda]

I know what it is!

Spoiler

A section of track

 

[James]

Evidence against the element:
- Only TowersTimes have claimed this element to be true, all traces of this 'exclusive' no where to be seen on their SW7 website now.
- TowersTimes team members no longer claiming this element to be true or mentioning it on their forums.
- No fansites or team members from sites other than TowersTimes have given any truth to the secret element, just pure speculation (remember that all fansites have their sources and therefore share mostly the same knowledge).
- No hardware on site, this would be the first element to appear on site.
- No hardware has been delivered in the car parks - like mentioned by Ian, such hardware would be put in a place that cannot be easily viewed. Much like when Th13teen's element was hidden from public view (even though it was dealt with in a different way).

There is just as much evidence against as there is for. It's just up to you to believe which ever side you want to.

Either way, we've got 3 months (or less) until we find out what is really going on - so it's a little bit of a pointless debate which is going around in circles (pun!) over and over again (pun again!).

 

[cotda]

Let's put it this way, we are all secretly hoping that it is self constructing track!

 

[Sheepie]

For the record, I'm firmly on the fence regarding any such secret element, should one exist. Allow me to play devil's advocate:

Saying all mention of the washing machine has been removed is evidence of it not existing is not necessarily true. In fact, for me, it fuels the rumour somewhat. It gives the impression that someone has asked them to take it down. Why would they do that unless there was something to hide?


Like I said, I don't really care too much whether its true or have much enthusiasm to find out either way- I'm just enjoying the build up and marketing. Feels like they're building a large backstory for this ride.

 

[Ian]

Ok you want evidence, well lets have a look shall we:-

1) large concrete slab next to the station with nothing built on it, right where a secret element would be going.

What evidence is there that this would be where the secret element would be going? To my knowledge there has been no confirmation of "Yes, there is a secret element, and it is going here.". The point is based on another speculative point.

2) no building work at all on this section when the rest of the building steel is finished.

But while the rest of the station steel was going up there didn't seem to be any progress with any other parts of the site. They could have been doing the station as it was the only thing they had to be getting on with. Now that excavation and ground works appear to be taking off at the upper end of the site they have perhaps decided to re-focus their attentions.

3) work on site going at snails pace awaiting delivery of something. (The project manager will know ETA)
Weather delays things slightly but not this much. Nothing would get built in this country if it did.

Again, an assumption that they are awaiting a delivery of some form. No one has made any confirmation that this is the cause of the delay. Also, it could be said that if they are waiting on a delivery of some form that this is linked to you second point of no frame around the area yet. It could be that the building steel has not come yet which is why this area remains in-complete.

4) piece of track delivered that would fit into a secret element. It's not even close to the rage picture, and it wouldn't be in one piece either as its too big for a lorry.

Once again, it is an assumption that the track piece would fit into a secret element. There are a lot of similarities to the system used on Rage and Mystery Mine, even though it is not identical. There's no reason that it must be identical. This is a new style of Eurofighter, with larger trains for starters. It doesn't seem unreasonable to say that it looks different because it has been adapted to cater for the new ride.


I'm sorry, but to me at least there is far too many unanswered questions for anyone to say "yes this piece of track is defiantly for a trick track". Of course, if you have information to the contrary then I will of course listen to it and stand corrected, but without any firm evidence it's still a very hazy area of the ride for me

 

[JB1985]

well thats an interesting piece of track isnt it?

Personally I think it does something more than a launch, and I guess its possible it could invert.

And are we still going on about the washing machine, please please please remember that this element was an IDEA from a TT member on what could happen.

It was never leaked from AT or Merlin, and in defense of TT (rare moment I must add!) they have never confirmed the washing machine as happening, all they have stated is that there will be a secret element.....

Bored of washing machine talk now.

 

[BigT]

I'm 50-50 on the washing machine if I'm honest but one thing I'm 100% on is something trick wise happens in the area between the station and where the track exits the building.
That is the sole reason why this area has not been built yet, they are waiting for the element to be delivered as its obviously been delayed for whatever reason.

 

[Josh]

And are we still going on about the washing machine, please please please remember that this element was an IDEA from a TT member on what could happen.

It was never leaked from AT or Merlin, and in defense of TT (rare moment I must add!) they have never confirmed the washing machine as happening, all they have stated is that there will be a secret element.....

TT specifically stated that they believe this idea was going to be the secret element, and that they had heard it off multiple sources, as can be read here.



In terms of that piece of track, I'm almost certain now that it is just a bit of brake track, as it does look just like Rage's brake run.

As for nothing new being built on site, this is because they are still doing groundwork, which I believe was delayed due to the ground being waterlogged, or maybe even the contractors weren't prepared for such a large scale project. Who knows.

And also, I assume the reason that there has been no steelwork put up around where the 'secret' part of the ride is, is just because they are waiting for any old bit of track to be put there. The reason no track is being put up is that Gerst are not on site just now, I mean has anyone seen the van move from the hotel car park yet? I don't think so.

 

[JB1985]

And are we still going on about the washing machine, please please please remember that this element was an IDEA from a TT member on what could happen.

It was never leaked from AT or Merlin, and in defense of TT (rare moment I must add!) they have never confirmed the washing machine as happening, all they have stated is that there will be a secret element.....

TT specifically stated that they believe this idea was going to be the secret element, and that they had heard it off multiple sources, as can be read here.

Well, they have said its a rotating bit of track, not the washing machine, but its a bit pointless having a debate being as I am siding with the 'there wont be a secret element' camp

 

[Josh]

This is a really good picture of Mystery Mine which shows how similar this bit of track is to brake run track:

The only difference is The Smiler's track has friction brakes on it aswell, maybe because of the larger cars.

 

[Dave]

I'm 50-50 on the washing machine if I'm honest but one thing I'm 100% on is something trick wise happens in the area between the station and where the track exits the building.
That is the sole reason why this area has not been built yet, they are waiting for the element to be delivered as its obviously been delayed for whatever reason.

We are also missing lift-hill track which would also account for no construction in that area.

At the end of the day though in a few months time we will have confirmation. As said we are saying there is no trick track, we will not reveal sources (we never do) and if we are wrong people can do a huge "I told you so" dance, with extra Samba.

 

[BigT]

And also, I assume the reason that there has been no steelwork put up around where the 'secret' part of the ride is, is just because they are waiting for any old bit of track to be put there. The reason no track is being put up is that Gerst are not on site just now, I mean has anyone seen the van move from the hotel car park yet? I don't think so.

That piece of groundwork was completed at the same time as the station and pit so "any old bit" of track would of been placed at the same time as the other track already laid.
The importance of that building to the ride should not be under estimated as it is where the maintenance shed is which means it will also be where the "workings" of the ride are located.
Ideally it would have been the first building finished so that's why it's such a giveaway that something is going in there.

 

[BigT]

This is a really good picture of Mystery Mine which shows how similar this bit of track is to brake run track:

The only difference is The Smiler's track has friction brakes on it aswell, maybe because of the larger cars.

That bit of track bears no resemblance to the one shown earlier in AT car park, it's not even close.
If you can't see that there is no point discussing further.


Edit:
Dave, you don't sound so confident now if you don't mind me saying!

 

[Josh]

Are you actually joking? It has exactly the same components, the extra framework underneath, the pistons and shock absorbers for the brake fins, most of it really. As I said the only part I can't see on that photo is the pistons for the friction brakes, but who knows! Maybe this is the secret element and they'll market the ride as the worlds first coaster to have both friction and magnetic brakes on the same bit of track!

As for the secret building, you can see on the ariel photos from when track construction stopped that the area wasn't ready yet, it was still full of bits and pieces that would need to be cleared away before putting track there.

 

[Dave]

Dave, you don't sound so confident now if you don't mind me saying!

Why?

We haven't changed our position, but the trouble with this debate is its impossible to take it anywhere as neither side can prove they are right at this current time. Therefore all anyone can say is wait and see.

 

[JB1985]

Dave, you don't sound so confident now if you don't mind me saying!

Why?

We haven't changed our position, but the trouble with this debate is its impossible to take it anywhere as neither side can prove they are right at this current time. Therefore all anyone can say is wait and see.

we shall soon see who is right but its ridiculous this has come to 'sides'.

For the record, i think TS are right and there is no trick track and i have believed all along that TT have made a lot of crud up to get people onto the site. More evidence points to no trick track

But its getting boring now, both teams have there contacts and points of view.