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[The Smiler] Construction Updates / Ride Speculation Part 2 *SPOILER FREE*
stretchy
TS Member
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2
Hi all, Some pics from today.
Arrived on park to find them adding a piece to the main lift hill. Look they're adding a support
Yay look it fits
And this is what it looks like from the other side
The station is looking more themed and look, the pipes all fit.
Usual overview shot.
Top of the vertical lift
Ohh look, they're also adding the inverted drop.
Hammer that bolt in, Hammer it.
Drill that connector Drill it.
Paint that track, paint it
Yes work was going at a full pace so we went and had a look to see what we can see inside the station., this is through the entrance hole for the trains.
Inside the shop
What about the games unit, I hear you ask.
Marmaliser leg footer and template. Its all technical stuff.
Back at the top of the site we were drawn by the sound of a ratchet... They had added the linking bit between the bottom of the inverted drop and the top... one min.. .. That's not right. aren't these meant to MEET?
They were using that ratchet to pull the 2 pieces of track together but that's quite a large discrepancy . So they started using these things at the bases of the supports. I think they are mini rams.
and more ratchets on other supports
We stood there for about 40 minutes watching them try in vein to get the track to meet and this is how it was when we left.
Well I think tomorrow is going be a stressful day for the construction team.
Hi all, Some pics from today.
Arrived on park to find them adding a piece to the main lift hill. Look they're adding a support
Yay look it fits
And this is what it looks like from the other side
The station is looking more themed and look, the pipes all fit.
Usual overview shot.
Top of the vertical lift
Ohh look, they're also adding the inverted drop.
Hammer that bolt in, Hammer it.
Drill that connector Drill it.
Paint that track, paint it
Yes work was going at a full pace so we went and had a look to see what we can see inside the station., this is through the entrance hole for the trains.
Inside the shop
What about the games unit, I hear you ask.
Marmaliser leg footer and template. Its all technical stuff.
Back at the top of the site we were drawn by the sound of a ratchet... They had added the linking bit between the bottom of the inverted drop and the top... one min.. .. That's not right. aren't these meant to MEET?
They were using that ratchet to pull the 2 pieces of track together but that's quite a large discrepancy . So they started using these things at the bases of the supports. I think they are mini rams.
and more ratchets on other supports
We stood there for about 40 minutes watching them try in vein to get the track to meet and this is how it was when we left.
Well I think tomorrow is going be a stressful day for the construction team.
LordOfDarkness
TS Member
[The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2
Station Artwork:
5th Marmaliser leg in place:
Lift hill progress:
Photos from Theme Park Worldwide
Station Artwork:
5th Marmaliser leg in place:
Lift hill progress:
Photos from Theme Park Worldwide
mrvardermier123
TS Member
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2
Did they just draw the design on the building? How did they do it accurately? :twirly:
Did they just draw the design on the building? How did they do it accurately? :twirly:
E
electricBlll
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2
More exciting progress... And good decision to use grey paint rather than yellow; it doesn't look as bad as I was expecting. But I still view it as a temporary substitute for a real exterior, like Thirteen's silly scaffolding, and I hope the walls will be dressed properly some day.
It's a bit sad really knowing this construction is coming to an end... It has been fascinating to see the ride evolve day by day. I couldn't really care less about the delays, SW7 was proposed for 2014 so, the way I see it, The Smiler has come a year early. :twirly:
More exciting progress... And good decision to use grey paint rather than yellow; it doesn't look as bad as I was expecting. But I still view it as a temporary substitute for a real exterior, like Thirteen's silly scaffolding, and I hope the walls will be dressed properly some day.
It's a bit sad really knowing this construction is coming to an end... It has been fascinating to see the ride evolve day by day. I couldn't really care less about the delays, SW7 was proposed for 2014 so, the way I see it, The Smiler has come a year early. :twirly:
mrvardermier123
TS Member
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2
If they've done the taping by eye, without the aid of projections i am well and truly impressed! Very skilled work indeed! :twirly:
I am a bit worried by the potential OVER usage of the smiler logo. Usually a brand has more than one asset. Look at the rooms for example, they've expanded the aesthetic to other graphics like the barcodes and optical illusions:
http://www.altontowers.com/uploadedImages/Page_Content/Hotels/Alton_Towers_Hotel/smiler-bedroom-gallery(1).jpg
http://www.altontowers.com/uploadedImages/Page_Content/Hotels/Alton_Towers_Hotel/smiler-bedroom-gallery2(1).jpg
James said:They've put white tape on the building that is in the shape of the final design. Just a matter of them painting between the lines.
If they've done the taping by eye, without the aid of projections i am well and truly impressed! Very skilled work indeed! :twirly:
I am a bit worried by the potential OVER usage of the smiler logo. Usually a brand has more than one asset. Look at the rooms for example, they've expanded the aesthetic to other graphics like the barcodes and optical illusions:
http://www.altontowers.com/uploadedImages/Page_Content/Hotels/Alton_Towers_Hotel/smiler-bedroom-gallery(1).jpg
http://www.altontowers.com/uploadedImages/Page_Content/Hotels/Alton_Towers_Hotel/smiler-bedroom-gallery2(1).jpg
RustyRider
TS Member
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2
Oblivions logo is plastered all over the queueline/x-sector in general...I don't really see that much of an issue with it being over used to be honest.
Oblivions logo is plastered all over the queueline/x-sector in general...I don't really see that much of an issue with it being over used to be honest.
TheMan
TS Member
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2
I like the station building and always have. I'd like to have seen them add some barbed wire, search lights, things like that - make it very, very sinister looking to totally contrast to the Marm which still makes no sense to me really.
This is however perhaps the bravest and most out there coaster we've ever had built in this country, and it most definitely world class. It is the most effort that has been put into theme for decades other than Valhalla and it's 2 local infamous neighbours.
I still would rather have had a darker theme, not to compliment X-Sector as much as taking more cues from The Sanctuary - that being said, this is easier to understand visually than that would be. It isn't intelligent, it is taking the theme and making it bonkers and in your face.
It is also, absolutely, undoubtedly unique. To my knowledge there is nothing like it anywhere - and neither will there be I don't reckon, such is the utter madness of it.
I'd still have preferred something else theme wise I have to say, but I just cannot fault what they are doing with THEIR chosen direction. I find myself thinking, how the heck are you doing that for £18m - rather than, where did £18m go?
I like the station building and always have. I'd like to have seen them add some barbed wire, search lights, things like that - make it very, very sinister looking to totally contrast to the Marm which still makes no sense to me really.
This is however perhaps the bravest and most out there coaster we've ever had built in this country, and it most definitely world class. It is the most effort that has been put into theme for decades other than Valhalla and it's 2 local infamous neighbours.
I still would rather have had a darker theme, not to compliment X-Sector as much as taking more cues from The Sanctuary - that being said, this is easier to understand visually than that would be. It isn't intelligent, it is taking the theme and making it bonkers and in your face.
It is also, absolutely, undoubtedly unique. To my knowledge there is nothing like it anywhere - and neither will there be I don't reckon, such is the utter madness of it.
I'd still have preferred something else theme wise I have to say, but I just cannot fault what they are doing with THEIR chosen direction. I find myself thinking, how the heck are you doing that for £18m - rather than, where did £18m go?
LordOfDarkness
TS Member
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2
Photo from Theme Park Worldwide
Photo from Theme Park Worldwide
mrvardermier123
TS Member
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2
I have to say I completely agree, to say Thirteen cost only 3 million less is quite astonishing!
My favourite marmiliser leg so far! Fantastic! Again, are there motors? Will they spin? If they do I might wee a little bit. :twirly: Getting excited now!
TheMan said:
I have to say I completely agree, to say Thirteen cost only 3 million less is quite astonishing!
My favourite marmiliser leg so far! Fantastic! Again, are there motors? Will they spin? If they do I might wee a little bit. :twirly: Getting excited now!
Benzin
TS Member
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2
It's actually so weird the difference between photos and seeing this thing in real-life on a scale basis... Even the Tickler leg stuff looks massive when you see it up close... Actually made me like it more...
More, rather than actually like that leg mind, it's easily the worst...
And that Hypnosis leg looks fab <3
It's actually so weird the difference between photos and seeing this thing in real-life on a scale basis... Even the Tickler leg stuff looks massive when you see it up close... Actually made me like it more...
More, rather than actually like that leg mind, it's easily the worst...
And that Hypnosis leg looks fab <3
Martin
TS Member
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2
The station already looks much better now it's getting painted. I didn't think it looked that bad to start with, but now it's starting to look good.
To be honest, the new leg will be of more benefit to guests off the ride. You'll be going too fast to notice the swirls and it's not even a head chopper like the car wash.
The station already looks much better now it's getting painted. I didn't think it looked that bad to start with, but now it's starting to look good.
To be honest, the new leg will be of more benefit to guests off the ride. You'll be going too fast to notice the swirls and it's not even a head chopper like the car wash.
Alastair
TS Team
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2
*Awaits MeatPie and CoasterCrazyChris to savage it*
The troublesome inverted drop has finally been sorted (picture courtesy of Roodlesnouter on TT):
LordOfDarkness said:
Photo from Theme Park Worldwide
*Awaits MeatPie and CoasterCrazyChris to savage it*
The troublesome inverted drop has finally been sorted (picture courtesy of Roodlesnouter on TT):
Coolbeans14
TS Member
Re: [The Smiler] Construction Updates and Ride Speculation Part 2
That is some good looking track! ;D
That is some good looking track! ;D