[The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation

[Anonymous]

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.

Can I just say, how can you prove that it is not a section of brake track? You can't. Where as all the evidence is pointing towards it being such track.

If you take a look below, you can see that the track is on it's side. This is probably to protect the equipment underneath it.

Image Copyright to TowersTimes

The below images show the same framework attached as the section of track above.

All of the above photos, and others show you the framework, I would go into the details of showing you the friction brakes, but in all honesty, it's not worth my time.

I know this is a brake section, everyone else bar you seems to agree with me, and I'm pretty sure there is no trick track for all the reasons already stated in this topic. If you want to be silly and disagree with everyone, then by all means, feel free, but when you're ignoring the facts and the information presented in front of you and being pretty damn blind, then, that to me, is just ignorance. Fact is, it's a brake section. Not a "Trick Track". Not a "Washing Machine" (although, I hear there's a sale in Argos if you're that obsessed with the idea). It's simply a brake section. Believe it if you will.

 

[DiogoJ42]

If the framework seems bulkier at all, it'll be because the trains will be heavier than a standard Eurofighter, so extra bracing will be needed.

 

[Joel]

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.

It's a little unfair to go around accusing them of making it up - we all have our sources of information, and they all have different credibility - it is up to each team to put out what we know in good faith, and yes that measure of credibility is flexible and ultimately teams gamble on their sources and credibility - but we're all liable to it at the end of the day.

I think its very wild and flammatory to suggest it was completely made up though. We do try our best to get it right, and admittedly we will hold back for further verification too, but like I say, that's personal choice of said teams

 

[JB1985]

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.

It's a little unfair to go around accusing them of making it up - we all have our sources of information, and they all have different credibility - it is up to each team to put out what we know in good faith, and yes that measure of credibility is flexible and ultimately teams gamble on their sources and credibility - but we're all liable to it at the end of the day.

I think its very wild and flammatory to suggest it was completely made up though. We do try our best to get it right, and admittedly we will hold back for further verification too, but like I say, that's personal choice of said teams

making up was probably the wrong phrase, perhaps i meant exaggerating the truth

 

[Rob]

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.

I think you need to take a trip to Specsavers!

A couple of points though BigT. Firstly, you're saying you think this is part of a secret element? Well, if this is part of a secret element, why put it in a public car park so that anyone can see it? Hardly secretive! Any secret element would be taken 'behind the scenes' to Studios or something.

Secondly, you're saying this is the reason for the delay? Fair enough, track not being ready could be the cause (although I don't think it is). However, how does this explain the massive delay in groundwork? Do you really think that the lack of a few pieces of track on site slows down digging and footer pouring etc around the construction site? Of course not!

Towers management are going to have fun reading this topic!

 

[Withnail]

It is clear from those pictures of other coasters that that's a section of brake track.

For what it's worth, I think it's very unlikely that the 'washing machine' element as described by TowersTimes will feature on this ride:

1. For this to work, and for the rotation to not be impossibly tight, you'd need a very large 'barrel' or 'drum' to rotate the track. With the return track running so close to the area in question, I really don't believe there's space for this barrel

2. The idea that they'd keep adding rotations to hang on to an inversion record is frankly laughable. Cam you imagine in a few years when a billionaire in Dubai builds a 30 looping coaster, and every ride on The Smiler begins with a 'sorry guys, we're just gonna spin you for a few minutes so we can keep that record. Try not to puke'?

3. Don't forget, when the 'washing machine' was originally described, it was supposed to be going underneath the shop. Clearly this is not the case. The 'washing machine' story is not coming from a reliable source.

It does seem likely that *something* will be going in the spot that TT are covering up though. I can quite see a short 'show scene' - quite possibly trying to create the 'effect' of spinning you round without actually doing it - the track might even move a bit to create a 'mad house' effect. But I'm sure that the whole track won't spin round.

 

[Rollercoasters4Life]

I'll be honest and say I don't know for sure if there will or will not be a secret element such as the 'washing machine' idea. Although, I have seen some saying 'This IS brake track only' - as if it is fact. I'm not being funny, but without seeing the whole section of track and getting a good viewing of it in person then you can't say that. You could say you think it is, but to say for 100% sure is silly.

Some need to get off their high horse when it comes to saying 'this will have/will not have a secret element/washing machine element'. No one can be 100% sure - all they can do is give their own opinion, but stop stating it as fact!

EDIT: 100th post!

 

[BigT]

Now Rob where did I say it was part of the secret element, I didn't, I said could big difference. I'm not going to go into details of the differences, I'm the one with the engineering degree / background and 20 years experience but hey I don't know what I'm talking about.

The footers are a sideshow Rob, they are not being rushed because they don't need to be, if there was nothing going in that shed it would be up by now and cladded and the footers would be finished and the track up.
In my opinion (and that's all it is, although informed) there is a secret element and its not testing correctly so is not finished and can't be installed yet.

It might not be a washing machine but there will be a secret element.


Alton Towers reading this! Yea right because there really interested in the opinion of 100 people when they have millions of visitors a year, don't kid yourselves.

 

[Earthwürm]

In my opinion, I'm 100% sure it's a brake run

 

[Jonathan]

Alton Towers reading this! Yea right because there really interested in the opinion of 100 people when they have millions of visitors a year, don't kid yourselves.

You'd be surprised. They actually do read forums.

 

[Josh]

Now Rob where did I say it was part of the secret element, I didn't, I said could big difference.

Are you sure about that?

That's trick track, the frame supporting it is temporary.

Looks to me like its going to bolt onto another frame of some sort.
This could well be the centre of said washing machine.

And as for this:

The footers are a sideshow Rob, they are not being rushed because they don't need to be,

I'm not sure if you're being serious here, but I think that before any track goes up they need footers to attach the supports to the ground...

 

[BigT]

Now Rob where did I say it was part of the secret element, I didn't, I said could big difference.

Are you sure about that?

That's trick track, the frame supporting it is temporary.

Looks to me like its going to bolt onto another frame of some sort.
This could well be the centre of said washing machine.

And as for this:

The footers are a sideshow Rob, they are not being rushed because they don't need to be,

I'm not sure if you're being serious here, but I think that before any track goes up they need footers to attach the supports to the ground...

I'm getting bored now learn to read and then come back and apologise.

 

[Josh]

I'm getting bored now learn to read and then come back and apologise.

I don't need to apologise, I'm only stating my opinions just like everyone else on this forum. It's just unfortunate that your opinions on this matter differ to everyone else.

I originally thought this was some sort of special track, I saw the evidence against it, and I now realised its just brake track. That's my opinion. And everyone else's for that matter.

 

[Rob]

Now Rob where did I say it was part of the secret element, I didn't, I said could big difference. I'm not going to go into details of the differences, I'm the one with the engineering degree / background and 20 years experience but hey I don't know what I'm talking about.

The footers are a sideshow Rob, they are not being rushed because they don't need to be, if there was nothing going in that shed it would be up by now and cladded and the footers would be finished and the track up.
In my opinion (and that's all it is, although informed) there is a secret element and its not testing correctly so is not finished and can't be installed yet.

It might not be a washing machine but there will be a secret element.


Alton Towers reading this! Yea right because there really interested in the opinion of 100 people when they have millions of visitors a year, don't kid yourselves.

My 21 years of common sense beats your 20 years of engineering expertise by the looks of it then!

Your argument regarding the footers is completely invalid in my opinion. Why slow down all of the groundwork just because one element of the ride has not arrived? That would be a stupid thing to do. If they were just waiting on a secret element then they could still have built other parts of the ride. They might have to leave space for where it would be placed but there would be nothing stopping them from building at the top or at the X-Sector side of the site for example.

And Towers management do read these forums. In fact, the former Hotels Director had an account when we were all over on TTF and posted with it.

 

[BigT]

I'm getting bored now learn to read and then come back and apologise.

I don't need to apologise, I'm only stating my opinions just like everyone else on this forum. It's just unfortunate that your opinions on this matter differ to everyone else.

I originally thought this was some sort of special track, I saw the evidence against it, and I now realised its just brake track. That's my opinion. And everyone else's for that matter.

Ok now I've had enough, listen I didn't say it wasn't brake track what I said was it was different to the brake track shown so could be for something else more special.

The point on the footers is this, they don't lay all of the footers and then the track, they build the building parts first as they take the most work whilst at the same time laying footers.
They then work out of the site laying track and the last piece will be by the entrance to the ride.
Simples really, if I need to use smaller words let me know.




AT might read TTF, but that's a bigger forum with more members!

 

[Rob]

AT might read TTF, but that's a bigger forum with more members!

And you expect to be taken seriously? All you seem to care about is causing a stir in the discussion you are involved in.

I used the example of the former Hotels Director reading TTF because it was one I knew of and one of the best examples. They read this forum as well. There have been obvious signs of that.

 

[Josh]

Simples really, if I need to use smaller words let me know.

No need to be rude, you've succeeded in turning this from a harmless debate into a slagging match. At the end of the day it's a bit of track, and we'll soon see where it goes.

AT might read TTF, but that's a bigger forum with more members!

Most of the TT community came over here, so although it has more members, this forum is a lot more active. And I know for a fact that AT moniter any major fan site, may that be TS, TT, Towers Nerd or ATA when that was running, they don't want information leaking out without them knowing about it.

 

[Wilsy]

Back on topic please guys

 

[James]

Alton Towers and Merlin (and their lovely legal team ) read both TowersTimes and TowersStreet on a regular basis. They care more than you would think.

I'm on the side that the new piece of track in the car parks looks like it is for a break run, or just before one of the lift hills. the supporting metalwork around it would be for transportation, and the other metalwork I would fit in with what Diogo said that with heavier trains this extra metalwork would be required.

On the subject of trick track, it's still possible it could happen. However I'd rather see The Smiler stay clear of that. I just want a good, fun, solid ride with a simple worlds first applied to it. Hopefully this will be a ride with no gimmicks attached to it.

 

[delta79]

Am I alone in not caring about what that bit of track is, but just wants it fitted to the rest of the ride as soon as possible ?