Jump to content
  • entries
    17
  • comments
    46
  • views
    13195

Behind the scenes: Stealth & Swarm


Mitchada04

2737 views

As part of the 2-4-1 deal TPM was given for the new VIP experiences, a group of us went down to go behind the scenes and ascend 127 feet.

We began our day going into Stealth's bunker where the launch system sits. The size of it is ridiculous! There are a few photos of Inatamin accelerator hydraulic systems around the internet but they don't do it justice! It also makes the coolest noise ever when it launches :P unfortunately, no picture were allowed down here so here's one of everyone's favourite Stealth element.

10431575_901507769874652_8781346300904014253_n.jpg

I also really like this photo

10177500_901507786541317_313173750493339525_n.jpg

Next we headed up to the console where we saw people press buttons and how the system registers where a train is at any one time. For anyone who loves codes, Code Bronze is where it doesn't launch (because the dog is out of the 3mm tolerance on the 3 tonne catch car), Code Silver is a rollback and Code Gold is a stall at the top of the ride.

10154946_901507929874636_7854953319526189478_n.jpg

We were however allowed out onto the platform thingy of the station to take pictures

1534282_901508179874611_1215525476775747898_n.jpg

10405623_901508283207934_6508159401343280567_n.jpg

1964792_901508306541265_9211968518483481757_n.jpg

Yes, we also got to wear fancy hi-vis jackets alongside our steel toe capped boats.

10352767_901508429874586_3687136569195725127_n.jpg

Still amazes me that this thing is 3 tonnes!

We then headed under the station to watch a launch and here the dog fall into the catchcar (that's what the lovely ping noise it makes while moving back and forth before launch is) and then down the metal path to the warehouse.

10320319_901508449874584_2818085416262880465_n.jpg

10325759_901508479874581_3004359743691702321_n.jpg

10437739_901508506541245_3746845458560261000_n.jpg

10361267_901508556541240_5164600768320221779_n.jpg

10341543_901508599874569_3899509510147653985_n.jpg

1604816_901508663207896_2231843817307515354_n.jpg

In the workshop we were lucky to see one of the trains that is operational this season (don't ask me why it was in there and not operational, surprisingly that wasn't a question that came to mind). In here we saw them drop the dog and realised how little actually touches the catchcar to launch it. There was also a cannibalised train which they rebuild over the season so over winter they only have to strip down one train as the other is done during the season. We were then meant to head to Saw but we overran at Stealth (2 hours we were there for :P ) so were given The Swarm's workshop before our lift hill walk.

10373691_901508829874546_4663958845751145415_n.jpg

Wee!

10398040_901509056541190_7935148843613335528_n.jpg

With 10 of us around this hatch taking pictures, people soon began to wave and shout at us :P

10363335_901509066541189_8399886952192595663_n.jpg

We waited around for it to close and then watched the magical transfer table move!

10313590_901509169874512_5878567073411539101_n.jpg

Although it may look slow, you have to remember it's carrying a ridiculously heavy train and it is moving as fast as possible as this was requested by the park and B&M set it to the fastest safest speed.

10438919_901509313207831_1799754718850919612_n.jpgThe track locks into place

10300097_901509349874494_4743888369880647645_n.jpg

We all ran away

10420103_901509416541154_3131225053275944376_n.jpg

10403448_901509436541152_4594281024335408181_n.jpg

And in it came!

Like other B&Ms, the wheel bogeys are left completely open making it easy to inspect and change without having to move the train (like you have to on those wretched Intamin rides) so the train runs on a set of wheel in the middle and two rails where a slot between the seat runs along.

10334354_901509589874470_1951434963485572911_n.jpg

And out we went

10356341_901509783207784_3711267497576365704_n.jpg

To the control booth

10390539_901509673207795_3217313364871990686_n.jpg

Sun setting

10376321_901509826541113_124672384704643360_n.jpg

To ascend this!

10377251_901509906541105_2110168840588424540_n.jpg

1012286_901510039874425_7005368076406536272_n.jpg

10414469_901510053207757_3176577819893767349_n.jpg

Still going

10401495_901510083207754_6629883866014592132_n.jpg

10342455_901510109874418_6329746376996548252_n.jpg

Higher

10295708_901510639874365_6035081488923358951_n.jpg

And we made it

10426622_901510826541013_5995004042363653638_n.jpg

And what a view it is!

10398072_901510723207690_1781427972439220569_n.jpg

10403470_901510676541028_488716690156031137_n.jpg

10432122_901510376541058_161896826282196044_n.jpg

10371935_901510306541065_1622613180993786098_n.jpg

10390084_901510163207746_2073354732749481003_n.jpg

10390306_901511049874324_7803782640886311101_n.jpg

Quick panoramic of the park

10366043_901511116540984_4403386355616038019_n.jpg

And it was time to come down

Few things, the park went to B&M and asked how they'd go about making it backwards. They considered alternating rows, one whole train backwards and the other forwards and in the end when with what we have due to the queueing situation. B&M supplied four new chassis for it and they do still have the other four for when it went forwards so it may return but for now it will remain as it is as it's still proving popular. The engineers do try and keep the theming in working condition and even want to replace the sign as its peeling away but budgets say other things and it's not always possible for them to fix effects such as the water spray and fire as their job is to get the ride operational and often by the time they've done that it's open and they can't get to the effects. The gas tower was also mentioned and they are looking into bringing back the fire especially with ABL now open but again budget and time says otherwise.

Was a great day and the view from Swarm's lift is amazing!

10440698_901511716540924_2152490134587625040_n.jpg

Goodnight Swarm.

0 Comments


Recommended Comments

There are no comments to display.

Guest
Add a comment...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...