[The Smiler] Construction Updates / Ride Speculation Part 2 *SPOILER FREE*

[Rupert]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

Thanks Rob. This seems to look more and more insane with each update.

I do get really nervous about Gerstache when I see something like the below picture - where a support appears to be concreted in at a slight angle to the painted grey area which marks where cement should come up to:

Similarly the pictures that suggest that some supports (near the toilets) aren't actually concreted in yet but are currently just positioned in the holes worries me a bit. I really do feel that roughness/Gerstache could make or break the ride. If it's smooth it will be amazing I'm sure.

That support has definitely not been concreted in.

I meant the support at the bottom, slightly to the left with the yellow rag/tape on top. To me it looks like it's concreted in but at a slight angle to what is intended by the grey paint line. I agree the support behind it and to the right is still awaiting concrete.

Good job they haven't concreted in those footers, there will come a point I'd imagine they will need a bit of wiggle room to ensure the final pieces fit together nicely.

Having 'wiggle room' is in theory the exact reason why Saw suffers from such severe Gerstache at the bottom of the main drop. I really don't want there to be any movement of the supports in their foundations at all, it only results in the track being not quite in the exact place it was designed to be.

 

[Dar]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

It looks more like water to me from the snow?

As for SAW, I thought it was the actual floor of the island moving slightly as opposed to a single support?

 

[Olii]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

I was under the impression that wiggle allowance in the supports actually helped keep the coaster smooth and also reduce strain on the supports? I'm sure I saw it one of those random top 10 coasters programs...
Anyway, Just saying but this beast is looking INSANE and might I add rather a sexy bit of steel Am I speaking too soon when I say; Wardley, you've done it again!

 

[Wilsy]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

I'm pretty sure that considering Gerstlauer are being paid a lot of money to build a rollercoaster they know what they are doing.

Saw is completely different to The Smiler, as building on reclaimed land isn't the brightest of ideas, its issues are nothing to do with the actual coaster.

Don't worry yourselves for no reason.

 

[Scott]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

I think the 'wiggle room' being referred to is for construction purposes - thus saving them digging up already concreted supports if they need moving slightly. The supports will be secured once the track is complete.

 

[Quetzal]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

Thanks Rob. This seems to look more and more insane with each update.

I do get really nervous about Gerstache when I see something like the below picture - where a support appears to be concreted in at a slight angle to the painted grey area which marks where cement should come up to:

Similarly the pictures that suggest that some supports (near the toilets) aren't actually concreted in yet but are currently just positioned in the holes worries me a bit. I really do feel that roughness/Gerstache could make or break the ride. If it's smooth it will be amazing I'm sure.

That support has definitely not been concreted in.

I meant the support at the bottom, slightly to the left with the yellow rag/tape on top. To me it looks like it's concreted in but at a slight angle to what is intended by the grey paint line. I agree the support behind it and to the right is still awaiting concrete.

This is also the support I meant...

 

[CoasterCrazyChris]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

It is compact, whilst still being rather large - and this is one coaster I don't think anyone will mind cattle pen queuing around.

I'm afraid I really don't agree.

As amazing as this coaster is shaping up, it will not cure the horrendous experience of a two hour wait in a cattlepen.

 

[Scott]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

Hmm, cattle pen's are most certainly not fun - but in such a small space I am unsure what else they can really try to do. Especially if they want a plaza space for guests to roam too! I can see what people mean by cattle pen's feeling okay with this beast above them though, as the spectacle will certainly not get boring quickly!

 

[BigDave]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

I know its probably built to survive wet and cold weather, but cannot help but think that the LED screen on the Marmaliser should be covered up. Won't look good if they come to switch it on and nothing happens

 

[Rollercoasters4Life]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

I know its probably built to survive wet and cold weather, but cannot help but think that the LED screen on the Marmaliser should be covered up. Won't look good if they come to switch it on and nothing happens

Weather proofing of Sub Terra's queue line TV/speakers failed...lets hope they have done a better job with these screens!

This picture intrigues me. First off, what is that brown pipe sticking out of the ground and what is its use? Second point, most of the supports (look to the back left) have holes in them - usually they are capped whereas on most of them they are either uncapped or have been capped with a yellow/green cap. Also does anyone know the reason for the holes? I always thought it was for dampening noise with the use of things like sand and whatnot if needs be.

 

[CoasterCrazyChris]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

Hmm, cattle pen's are most certainly not fun - but in such a small space I am unsure what else they can really try to do.

Bags of room up and behind the vertical lift hill.

 

[Rob]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

Hmm, cattle pen's are most certainly not fun - but in such a small space I am unsure what else they can really try to do.

Bags of room up and behind the vertical lift hill.

Room, kind of yes. Bags of it? Questionable I'd say. Plus the hill up there is very steep, getting the queue up there would be very challenging.

 

[TheMan]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

I know it is sacrilege on here, but given the subject matter and how intimate the queue will be with this coaster, a cattle pen is almost suited to it.

On most other things I detest them, and yeah weather wise - awful. Think about it though. OK parts of the marm annoy me as does aspects of theme in certain contexts as we all know pmsl.

I cannot however, imagine queuing around that ludicrous thing in the middle and all that twisty, no doubt dueling track, with Oblivion right next door and dropping in and popping out the other side - with the no doubt daft video and stuff about the place, and thinking - oh no, it is a cattle pen queue.

It is still meant to be a complex remember - with sinister aspects.

Yes that's right folks, I am not a fan of the uniform and other parts, but I don't mind the cattle pen queue idea on this ride ;D

Never has a :twirly: been more apt.

Non conformism FTW!

 

[Alastair]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

Great pictures Rob, love how much detail you go into and how you spot things on site that I wouldn't even dream of looking for. They're clearly working at top speed now, shame they didn't do the same when we had the "bad weather" earlier on this year and the end of last year.

 

[CoasterCrazyChris]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

I know it is sacrilege on here, but given the subject matter and how intimate the queue will be with this coaster, a cattle pen is almost suited to it.

On most other things I detest them, and yeah weather wise - awful. Think about it though. OK parts of the marm annoy me as does aspects of theme in certain contexts as we all know pmsl.

I cannot however, imagine queuing around that ludicrous thing in the middle and all that twisty, no doubt dueling track, with Oblivion right next door and dropping in and popping out the other side - with the no doubt daft video and stuff about the place, and thinking - oh no, it is a cattle pen queue.

It is still meant to be a complex remember - with sinister aspects.

Yes that's right folks, I am not a fan of the uniform and other parts, but I don't mind the cattle pen queue idea on this ride ;D

Never has a :twirly: been more apt.

Non conformism FTW!

Are you seriously saying you actually WANT there to be a cattepen!?

The Swarm proves that even with a photogenic ride flying about overhead, themed news reports and a highly themed station in front of you nothing can detract from the horrid experience of being penned in for over an hour with people (many unpleasant) on all sides.

And believe you me, not even the best rides ever created are still exciting to watch after you've watched the train go round a hundred times whilst seemingly not moving anywhere. Except maybe Nemesis, of course.

 

[Dar]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

I know its probably built to survive wet and cold weather, but cannot help but think that the LED screen on the Marmaliser should be covered up. Won't look good if they come to switch it on and nothing happens

Weather proofing of Sub Terra's queue line TV/speakers failed...lets hope they have done a better job with these screens!

This picture intrigues me. First off, what is that brown pipe sticking out of the ground and what is its use? Second point, most of the supports (look to the back left) have holes in them - usually they are capped whereas on most of them they are either uncapped or have been capped with a yellow/green cap. Also does anyone know the reason for the holes? I always thought it was for dampening noise with the use of things like sand and whatnot if needs be.

I think the pipe is for letting gases out from under the concrete that might have gotten trapped while they were pouring it. Or it could be a drain that they haven't cut down and covered! (Personally I think it's the former )

As for the hole, could they be used as lifting points for the cranes?

 

[TheMan]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

The Swarm proves that even with a photogenic ride flying about overhead, themed news reports and a highly themed station in front of you nothing can detract from the horrid experience of being penned in for over an hour with people (many unpleasant) on all sides.

Now now Chris, I have been on a meet, and they aren't THAT bad to queue with...

I'd love a quality themed queue, don't get me wrong, and Nemesis doesn't really count as you say lol - I just think, because you wont be shoved out the back of the ride behind a shed, (and I agree about Swarm by the way - that isn't at all nice as a queue), and the ride being so intimate with a piece of theme that will supposedly be interacting with the ride right adjacent to the queue, it may be one of the better cattle pen style queues.

I struggle to imagine what else they could do, and still create that ride in that space I really do. Most are obvious, Swarm has tons of space it doesn't use for example - where a queue could be way more imaginative - but on this?

I'd take the ride with a queue crammed in and around the ride and theme elements, than compromise that.

I reckon it may just surprise a few people - and may, in this very rare of cases lol, add to the sense of claustrophobia, intensity, and sense of occasion they are trying very hard to create (despite my personal preferences).

It isn't perfect, but if there was one occasion to forgive a rather annoying queuing system, this may be it.

EDIT:
To add by the way with regards to the pipe, it is possible it could be connections for a water effect on the marm? That is my guess anyway, with no real clue how this thing fits together lol!

Reminds me of an MFI chest of drawers with no instructions.

;D

 

[Nemesis94]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

Oh dear... somebody's made a bit of a gaff. Look at the right most support in this image, the track doesn't meet it! They've got a single bolt lining them both up at the moment. Either the footer is too deep, or the've made the support too short!

 

[BigDave]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

Thats exactly why they dont concrete them in yet so they can wiggle (see Tavern topic about wiggles) it about and get it lined up properly.

 

[andyramone]

Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2

This last twist:

...

That inversion looks absolutely insane. Is it a corkscrew? What the hell is that gonna be like to ride?