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

[Bubblegum]

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

Ooo, really glad they've added speakers to the entrance to X-Sector.

I'm just hoping they arn't too Smiler orientated, I'd much prefer they just play that ambient audio that plays around the rest of X-Sector, would really suit the area!

 

[James]

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

[EDIT] Judging by the images from the front I dont believe that all rows have the illusions on, just the rear row.

I didn't notice that in the pictures released. You could well be right!

 

[TheMan]

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

[EDIT] Judging by the images from the front I dont believe that all rows have the illusions on, just the rear row.

I didn't notice that in the pictures released. You could well be right!

Also, talking of these cars, what is the metal casing behind the seats??

Now - we only have the back seat illusions as I believe cotda points out (thankfully lol!) - yet there appear to be these cages behind the others, and we don't have pictures of it...

Is this normal, does it simply house the restraint mechanisms?

Also, on the track, they do look brilliant don't they? I was not a fan again, but that overt, square, in your face design contrasts beautifully against the curvaceousness of the track - 4 of those babies racing around the track together is going to look brilliant! If they duel... oh boy.

 

[Rob]

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

Time for another photo update! Hope you enjoy!

What is this waiting to be lifted over the trees?

It's part of one of the trains:

Nice yellow wheel metal thingys (can't for the life of me think what you actually call them):

TV screens and speakers on the bridge above the track before the vertical lift:

From another angle:

Half way corrected:

It probably would have looked better on a black background:

It looks like all of the footers have now been filled with concrete:

Paving at the bottom of the site:

Panes of glass, which were being carried into the shop:

Things are starting to look more complete all of the time now:

A look inside the shop:

Standard overview of the station:

Looking up the site:

An overview from Blivvy's merge point:

A look at the Marmaliser with the screen on from the same place:

More new fencing:

It looks like the queue may go through a little tunnel here:

The queue is coming along nicely. You can also see here that the feet of the Marmaliser legs have been wrapped up for protection:

New speakers at the entrance to X-Sector:

Scaffolding has now been put up so Gerstlauer can work on the support:

Here you can see the chain in the first lift:

A good overview of all the different swirls on the buildings:

And a good look at The Smiler logo on the maintenance shed:

Here you can see yellow writing on the station building. It isn't possible to work out what it says though:

Yellow panels have now been installed to the syringes on the Inoculator:

Speakers on the first lift:

A closer look:

A nice overview photo:

A slightly wider angled shot:

A look at the Marmaliser, the screen was on all day today:

Another look inside the shop:

The indoor section is almost sealed in, it looks like there is just one piece to go:

More cladding work on the shop:

Steps being delivered to the site:

And there we have it, I hope you enjoyed!

All photos taken from areas of the park fully accessible to the public. Please do not replicate my photos without permission. TowersStreet may use photos if they wish.

 

[TheMan]

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

Nice yellow wheel metal thingys (can't for the life of me think what you actually call them):

Bogie I believe.

Also, that nicely answered my question I asked literally in the post above yours about the metal casing at the back ha-ha!!

Great photos Rob thank you

EDIT: If Dr Kelman talks to me all the way up that lift hill? :*

;D

 

[Jonathan]

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

Interesting to see that there are speakers on the lift hill - I don't think this has been done on a coaster at Towers before, although feel free to correct me.

 

[Ian]

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

Most rides do these days. I think Th13teen does? I imagine it's so staff can quickly inform guests in the event of a ride stop on the lift or similar. Colossus at Thorpe actually has a breakdown message played on the lift to tell guests what's happening if I recall correctly

 

[Jonathan]

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

Ah, that would make sense. I was thinking they'd be used for lift hill audio like on Pegasus at EP.

 

[James]

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

Yeah Th13teen has speakers. You have a voice telling you to hold on tight and to stay in the carriage (or something along those lines).

 

[TheMan]

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

Speakers are all over this ride, with them wanting to make it a device that you are taken around, I'd be surprised if it didn't play some form of audio - it's easy to do in fairness. Crikey even I could set that up for them ha-ha!!

 

[Tom]

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

Great pictures as always Rob.

 

[mrvardermier123]

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

Glass pane... shop floor anyone? :twirly:

 

[John]

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

Surely they don't need speakers for breakdown purposes though as the lifts don't have mechanical anti rollbacks, so in the event of a breakdown the trains will presumably slowly return to the base of the lift?

It's possible they're only there as an added precaution, but I'm hoping for ride audio.

 

[electricBlll]

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

That queueline...

I can't judge whether it will be the worst queueline experience ever or one of the craziest. I love how it goes right along the precipice of the lower pit at one point, and with such a manic ride constantly on top of you I can imagine some great views. (As long as safety netting doesn't come and ruin it...) However, it just comprises of very tall fences on a totally flat, boring pavement.

I guess I miss the era of landscaped queuelines: with Nemesis, for example, you view almost the entire layout from a number of dramatic elevations, going right down into the quarry and out again, before even reaching the station. And who can forget the enormous rush of wind that hits you next to the vertical loop? The Smiler has plenty of similar track 'moments' that could have been exploited with the queue, but not taken advantage of.

Then again, they are extremely tight for space. At least its not a total maze of switchbacks.

I also love the prospect of X Sector having its own entrance audio, whatever it may be. Preferably not The Smiler's demented tune, but its own ambiance.

 

[DiogoJ42]

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

Well at least these queue fences will be un-jumpable. And they can't be as bad as Saw's high fence cattle pen, can they? CAN THEY? O.O

 

[JAMMY_Jaunts]

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

One thing that has me curious is that the seats on the trains look very low down situated within the carriages and there does not appear to be much leg room. Is this just perspective or is it just me?

Not really concerned, just curious. Plus thanks for the pictures Rob, the excitement is building.

 

[Olii]

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

The queue looks great to me, like you're caged in, and you can't escape... Kinda like the cages on Oblivion's queue line just before it enters the station, a sense of being trapped.... I like it!

 

[Dar]

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

Firstly, great pictures Rob! Better than my phone's camera anyway!

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Now then, after being on park today, I have to say that watching some of the workers today was like watching paint dry! Some of them, such as those laying the paving near Oblivion, those working on enclosing the shop, and those that were involved with getting the the trains on to the track looked to be working their proverbials off.

However, after watching a couple of workers spend the better part of the day erecting the scaffolding around the cut support and then spending the rest of it chatting and messing on their phones, I do find myself questioning some of the working practices there. As Josh/Bear put it, it seems like they get some work done, check their watch and see it's half three and decide that there's no point starting another job because they knock off soon. :/

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Speculation!

I expressed disappointment today that some of the track is being enclosed in solid black fencing, rather than the wire fence elsewhere, kinda defeating the point of ride interaction.
Here:

Then I realised that this is the section that goes under The Flasher leg and I wondered if maybe they are enclosing that section to enhance the effect of The Flasher? I'm not sure of the height required, or even if it's feasible, it was just I thought I had!

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Should also add, the place seemed to be swarming with managers today. Anybody got any idea why? John Wardley was on site too, with a group of 5 or 6 business types in suit's and high-vis vests!

 

[dazza4783]

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

Nice pics, thanks. The writing on the side of the station as the train goes back to it looks like it says "PROCESS COMPLETE"

Here you can see yellow writing on the station building. It isn't possible to work out what it says though:

 

[DiogoJ42]

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

If they were going to enclose the Flasher, surely the inside of the tunnel would be black, not white?