Ian-S Posted August 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 Only engineers can add and remove trains at Thorpe. Not a single operator would even know how to do it. I don't know what you thought you saw, but you can believe whatever explanation you want to believe. It's fair enough, I don't profess to know everything so if you guys say he was an engineer then he was, I just thought it curious he was the same guy who had been operating the ride for the hour previously and was still there at 9.30 (they took the train off around half seven). Oddly though, it will be very interesting to find out just exactly what did happen at Alton as I think you'll find your faith that a ride operator wouldn't know how to do something is very much misplaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian-S Posted August 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 Yes I know what you mean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coaster Posted August 24, 2015 Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 Until the full report is published I will be taking this with a pinch of salt, but I think that the fact that it was human error bodes well for the ride's future rather than if it was a fault with the ride itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeah Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 (edited) I'm not sure if this is completely true, and you probably already know this whether it is or not, but apparently what happened is the ride operator saw the empty train and did in fact stop the lift hill to remove the stalled train, however after 10-15 minutes the computer 'panicked' so to speak and restarted the lift hill. Edited August 28, 2015 by ChessingtonSam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 Yeah that's utterly, utterly wrong... If the E-Stop had been pushed, then the system would not by itself restart the ride, it would need a manual reset... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeah Posted August 31, 2015 Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 Hmm, I thought that was a statement from the park, I have no idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pluk Posted August 31, 2015 Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 I'm not sure if this is completely true, and you probably already know this whether it is or not, but apparently what happened is the ride operator saw the empty train and did in fact stop the lift hill to remove the stalled train, however after 10-15 minutes the computer 'panicked' so to speak and restarted the lift hill. Hmm, I thought that was a statement from the park, I have no idea. Just to reiterate. No. Nothing like this. Graw 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 So according to TowersStreet track inspection has continued today on the Smiler, and there has been some new control panels installed around the ride. To me they look like Phone boxes which will connect to the operator? More photos on Towerstreet facebook page. When do people think it will re-open? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 I'm almost certain it will open very soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 I originally thought it would re-open for next season but with all this happening now I think it could possibly open for scarefest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coaster Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 It's looking promising for the ride to re-open this year. Really hope it does, the longer it's sat there closed, the less faith the GP will have in it IMO - also if the ride re-opened this year then hopefully they could have a fresh start next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.S217 Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 Those are definitely phone boxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LK_ Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 track inspection? (images not mine, taken from Ride on Review Facebook page) Mysterio Ka 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rover2012 Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 I originally thought it would re-open for next season but with all this happening now I think it could possibly open for scarefest? Can you imagine the negative tabloid reports if they opened Smiler for Scarefest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshuaA Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 Can you imagine the negative tabloid reports if they opened Smiler for Scarefest! IMO I think whenever the Smiler will open it will be slammed by the papers.. Even if it is next year or in 5 years. JoshC. and alexander 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coaster Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 Can you imagine the negative tabloid reports if they opened Smiler for Scarefest! That's why I want it to open this year - that way they can hopefully have a fresh start next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitchada04 Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 The park is struggling without Smiler too. Lots of people to this day still ask if it's open and will probably be putting off trips till it is again. It's a huge draw for Towers, remember how dead April 2013 was as it wasn't opening till May? Opening it will cause press field day. Whenever, and it won't die down quickly. I doubt it'll be over by next year. It's going to be a slow process for Towers. They need to be careful when they open it, if or more likely when it breaks down what will the press do? "Park opens dangerous ride for it to break with guests on again" etc. There's no easy time to open it, maybe just potentially worse. If they want it for Scarefest which I'm sure they do, they'll want it running a while before hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWOAfanMalcolm Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 I personally think That when/if Opening Smiler May have negative media attention but it is essentially free advertisment for alton towers At the end of the day and people will all know that it is open the worst thing the media can do Is ignore it completely Imo From attracting guests to towers perspective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted September 7, 2015 Report Share Posted September 7, 2015 The Smiler is currently testing Liam T, Kerfuffle, Coaster and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamminGamer Posted September 7, 2015 Report Share Posted September 7, 2015 Brace yourselves, incredibly negative, stupid and under researched slander articles are coming! pognoi, Nffc, JoshuaA and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holtjammy16 Posted September 7, 2015 Report Share Posted September 7, 2015 The Smiler was testing https://www.facebook.com/gu08sty/videos/10153636627816103/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyMoo Posted September 8, 2015 Report Share Posted September 8, 2015 Would be very pleasantly surprised if it does reopen for the season - but the fact they are actually working on installing barriers etc. obviously shows that they are going to re-open it... at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt10 Posted September 8, 2015 Report Share Posted September 8, 2015 Wouldn't be surprised for it open for scarefest.... But if it does, surely they will only be able to run a maximum of 3 trains because the other two are damaged probably beyond repair and it would take longer for new ones to be made.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordanluke2009 Posted September 9, 2015 Report Share Posted September 9, 2015 They are aiming to get it open as soon as possible. But if I've heard correctly HSE haven't given them the go ahead to reopen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted September 9, 2015 Report Share Posted September 9, 2015 Nah, course the park don't want to get it open as soon as possible, not like it's been affecting their attendances at all this summer... JoshuaA and Altitude 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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