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At least you didn't get wet @EthanRode Th13teen for the first ever time in the dark today and wow what a kick that has to it at night! Sokoto much better than during the day, I was smiling the whole way round
Skyscraper
TS Member
Glad you're hooked Ethan, it's a whole different ride at night! Can't wait to ride it in the dark myself on Monday.Rode Th13teen for the first ever time in the dark today and wow what a kick that has to it at night! Sokoto much better than during the day, I was smiling the whole way round
Skyscraper
TS Member
Don't jinx it Rob, the forecast is looking good!...if it isn't raining.
Rode Th13teen for the first ever time in the dark today and wow what a kick that has to it at night! Sokoto much better than during the day, I was smiling the whole way round
Did the same, even planned joining the queue so we entered the station around 7:15pm to ensure it was dark. Felt like a complete dark ride to me and the must do ride of the night
Steve74
TS Member
I do like riding it more in the dark, especially if the camera flash blinds you! But I can't make my mind up if the crypt interior is better at night when my eyes are adjusted to the darkness so it appears brighter, or during the day when it appears darker because my eyes need to adjust from daylight. Both are good for different reasonsDid the same, even planned joining the queue so we entered the station around 7:15pm to ensure it was dark. Felt like a complete dark ride to me and the must do ride of the night.
Danscott22
TS Member
Thirteen is probably joint first with Wicker Man for best night ride.
Skyscraper
TS Member
Forget the weather forecast, if Thirteen's closed you know it's probably raining. 

coastinginlife
TS Member
How's this for a totally pie in the sky idea! Remove Rita and utilise the ride area to extend Thirteens layout, remove the problematic lift hill and replace with a launch instead, with a couple more thrown in for good measure. Add more theming around the ride, similar to Hagrids magical creatures motorbike adventure, giving you the two coasters we have now in one!!!
NuttySquirrel
TS Member
How's this for a totally pie in the sky idea! Remove Rita and utilise the ride area to extend Thirteens layout, remove the problematic lift hill and replace with a launch instead, with a couple more thrown in for good measure. Add more theming around the ride, similar to Hagrids magical creatures motorbike adventure, giving you the two coasters we have now in one!!!
How about just gut the whole area and start again? Likely to be cheaper!
Skyscraper
TS Member
Would enclosing the lift hill in a tunnel to keep the rain out be a good idea? Saw it mentioned somewhere.
I very recently watched John Wardley’s presentation on the development of Thirteen on YouTube and it explains why they had to use tyre kickers as opposed to a chain lift because of the proximity to Alton village. When SW6 was first proposed, John explained that Alton’s residents hated the noise of Corkscrew’s lift hill and sight line of the ride’s high point, and the planners allegedly said that unless you build SW6 on the site of the Corkscrew and remove it, we’ll make it really difficult for you if you decide to build it somewhere else. Not only did some guests think the Corkscrew was past it’s best, but it was also a problem for the residents of Alton. It was therefore decided that because the cars needed to be light for the magnetic brake drop mechanism, a tyre kick lift hill would be enough to get the cars up and over whilst also satisfying the planners.
AT now just need to find a way of operating the ride in the rain without any threat of rollback.
AT now just need to find a way of operating the ride in the rain without any threat of rollback.
Apologies for quoting myself but this is the link to the YouTube video for those who are interested.I very recently watched John Wardley’s presentation on the development of Thirteen on YouTube and it explains why they had to use tyre kickers as opposed to a chain lift because of the proximity to Alton village. When SW6 was first proposed, John explained that Alton’s residents hated the noise of Corkscrew’s lift hill and sight line of the ride’s high point, and the planners allegedly said that unless you build SW6 on the site of the Corkscrew and remove it, we’ll make it really difficult for you if you decide to build it somewhere else. Not only did some guests think the Corkscrew was past it’s best, but it was also a problem for the residents of Alton. It was therefore decided that because the cars needed to be light for the magnetic brake drop mechanism, a tyre kick lift hill would be enough to get the cars up and over whilst also satisfying the planners.
AT now just need to find a way of operating the ride in the rain without any threat of rollback.
Rick
TS Member
They found a way, it worked fine for 11 seasons. There are a lot of bizarre assumptions around this whole thing.AT now just need to find a way of operating the ride in the rain without any threat of rollback.
True, but after the rollback incident allegedly caused by a combination of worn and wet tyres, who knows!They found a way, it worked fine for 11 seasons. There are a lot of bizarre assumptions around this whole thing.