February 22, 201411 yr comment_177043 'Back drop' you say? My nightmare vision of a giant MDF board with a wild west scene sketched onto it isn't becoming a reality is it?
February 23, 201411 yr comment_177070 The train has arrived back on site according to Theme Park Guide's Facebook page
February 23, 201411 yr comment_177072 https://www.facebook.com/themeparkguide Train. And this looks to be the scorpion... I'm assuming hoping that the scorpion is no where near complete yet
February 23, 201411 yr comment_177073 Hmm, is it me or does there seem to be some sort of nozzle in the scorpian's stinger? If it is then maybe that's where the water would come from...
February 23, 201411 yr comment_177075 That will indeed be a water spray, as shown on the promo image. The flame will presumably come from the new oil tower being installed too.
February 23, 201411 yr comment_177085 So is there gonna hopefully be more themeing than we hoped for? Or do we still think it will be the cattlepen and no rocks ?
February 23, 201411 yr comment_177106 I get it, a steampunk style Scorpion to go with the exposed ride frame, very clever Chessington.
February 23, 201411 yr comment_177108 I'm assuming hoping that the scorpion is no where near complete yet Unlike the marketing image, the original concept art showed a very metal, built creature - maybe something the locals have thrown together to scare off people ? (haha ironic!)
February 23, 201411 yr comment_177109 Unlike the marketing image, the original concept art showed a very metal, built creature - maybe something the locals have thrown together to scare off people ? (haha ironic!) Hmm, interesting! Have to say, I'd much prefer a more padded-out, 'realistic' (well, as realistic as you can get with an oversized creature! - as a side note, I think it's a decent size) creature, much like in the marketing image. It just seems more in-line with Chessington's overall image, and fits with the idea of the back story of the ride. But if that's the look they were planning, then so be it I guess. *Insert standard 'I'm not judging it till I ride' and 'I'm trying to keep an open mind about it all' comments, even though I am dubious about it all*
February 23, 201411 yr comment_177156 Picture from TPG, this scorpion looks pathetic :/ I at least through it would move or something, I'm hoping they have absolutely loads of theming to go in, its like a brown flying fish with some MDF sheds around it. (look in the background of the pictures you can see whats on the front of the back edging) But on a plus point they have some rocks..
February 23, 201411 yr comment_177157 Ironic that those steel girders holding up a 2D background are far more robust than the scaffold-thing that held up the big mine caves for 26 years! I'll miss the old Runaway Train, if mostly for the ability for the operator to interact with the riders so much. I'm assuming that flexibility will be gone now the ride has been refurbished so thoroughly, with prerecorded announcements and such probably coming next year. I've also heard murmurs (that I hope aren't true) about the ride getting some kind of pre show, which could rule out the extra circuits you'd get on off-peak days!
February 23, 201411 yr comment_177161 I've also heard murmurs (that I hope aren't true) about the ride getting some kind of pre show, which could rule out the extra circuits you'd get on off-peak days! Ooh, I like this! I hope it's another animal talking preshow. They're good at those.
February 23, 201411 yr comment_177162 I thought the scorpion was gonna be hidden for most of the ride and on the last time it goes round at full speed it was gonna pop up sort of like a scary effect or something
February 23, 201411 yr comment_177163 I think that was just an idea someone had... a good one at that! I'm visiting end of april... I'm gonna hold judgement until I ride it then - but this is merlin so I shall not be getting my hopes up! at least the ride will be open unlike the whole of last year!
February 23, 201411 yr comment_177165 I am just praying that steel perimeter isn't going to support a backflash. Can't stand those things unless they are at circus/fairgrounds. So cheap looking!
February 24, 201411 yr comment_177170 The one thing I liked about the mine train is you didn't see most of the track like you do on the Fish. Now as said above, it is just a brown flying fish.
February 24, 201411 yr comment_177172 If this ride was a new project being pulled off from parks like Pleasurewood Hills or Adventure Island, then I would be rather impressed. However as this is Chessington and actually a retheme of a ride, I am not and feel disappointed the scorpion isn't of a larger scale or that it can move itself away from the riders. I'm also not keen on the metal railings as it makes the ride feel even more-so out of character.
February 24, 201411 yr comment_177177 I don't think I'd be impressed by this regardless of park, as we would point towards the original Runaway Train as a prime example of how to do this... Sounds the usual, good ideas poorly executed, a Merlin trait becoming more and more worrying...
February 24, 201411 yr comment_177179 It's a shame it doesn't look like they went down the individual lap bar route like the Fish.
February 24, 201411 yr comment_177181 I feel that a part of my childhood has died Mine was already written off after the 2013 season!
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