tomathy Posted April 15, 2013 Report Share Posted April 15, 2013 Doubt the lift hill will be launched seeing as we can clearly see the chains mechanism Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted April 15, 2013 Report Share Posted April 15, 2013 Whilst Gerstlauer vertical lifts do HAVE the potential to stop whilst vertical (hello Fluch), I doubt it could 'freefall'... Enthusiast wishes I would believe... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan9 Posted April 15, 2013 Report Share Posted April 15, 2013 There's some rumors going round some other website forums that the vertical lift could stop and freefall backwards before climbing it again, similar to the freefall chain lift in expedition everest and big grizzly mountain railroad. Do you think this could possibly happen and be the long awaited secret element? Urgh... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted April 15, 2013 Report Share Posted April 15, 2013 Have you seen how Grizzly Mountain's works? (I.e. NOT like Everest's) It's AMAZE <3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan9 Posted April 15, 2013 Report Share Posted April 15, 2013 Have you seen how Grizzly Mountain's works? (I.e. NOT like Everest's) It's AMAZE <3 The plan was to not know about any of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted April 15, 2013 Report Share Posted April 15, 2013 My work here is done... MWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EC! Posted April 16, 2013 Report Share Posted April 16, 2013 I'm predicting that the first lift hill should be completed by Friday or Saturday, I'm guessing the hypnotiser leg will be on this week too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RideAddict Posted April 16, 2013 Report Share Posted April 16, 2013 This lift hill looks OK, but at the moment I don't like it. It doesn't fit in well IMO, but when I see it when I first go, I'll probably cast another opinion. I don't understand the magnetic brake fins though, is that what they are? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pickles Posted April 16, 2013 Report Share Posted April 16, 2013 Yes, they might be there for numerous reasons. My first thought is maybe comfort as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted April 16, 2013 Report Share Posted April 16, 2013 Final turn being done today, I would imagine the first lift is next on the agenda (with the drops)... Aforementioned final turn... Supports for the drop(s) coming into place... Mechanisms on the lift hill... Coming off the vertical lift... Decent transistion for a Gerst Alton Towers Guide's pics Mer, Whiteknuckle and EC! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zalittleguy Posted April 16, 2013 Report Share Posted April 16, 2013 And now complete... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EC! Posted April 16, 2013 Report Share Posted April 16, 2013 Well that confirms that there is 14 inversions then and not a sneaky 15th before the brake track, ah well it's not as if 14 isn't enough, it'll be enough for people to summon their chunks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricky Posted April 16, 2013 Report Share Posted April 16, 2013 Wouldn't necessarily call it complete as the first lift and the two drops still aren't constructed Stokesyboy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerfuffle Posted April 17, 2013 Report Share Posted April 17, 2013 Out of interest, when does The Smiler actually OPEN in May? I mean, all AT have given us is "May 2013" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaz Posted April 17, 2013 Report Share Posted April 17, 2013 Out of interest, when does The Smiler actually OPEN in May? I mean, all AT have given us is "May 2013" Most rumours suggest May 18th as AT have called a press conference on 17th but there is no confirmed date yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pluk Posted April 17, 2013 Report Share Posted April 17, 2013 If this thing is open by May 18th I'll eat my socks*. If it opens in May I'll be surprised but May 25th is the start of the school half term break so I reckon that's a good bet, maybe with some 'previews' of an unfinished article beforehand. *Disclaimer: I'm not wearing any socks. MattyMoo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubzywubzy Posted April 18, 2013 Report Share Posted April 18, 2013 I'm going on the 10th June so it should be open, although I wouldn't be surprised if its not. Will just make another visit in that case. looks pretty worth it to me! I love the whole theme/story they have gone with and loved The Sanctuary, so on the journey up there I'm going to be dying of excitement haha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoelPagett Posted April 18, 2013 Report Share Posted April 18, 2013 Morning all, Was at Alton Towers yesterday and its the first time I have seen The Smiler up close, it is HUGE! Cannot wait for this to be opened! Here are some pictures from yesterday. Whilst eating lunch in Fried Chicken Company (which we also won for free due to the red button challange!) we saw Barney from Blue Peter who was on site! The rest of the photos are on my Facebook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted April 18, 2013 Report Share Posted April 18, 2013 Banners down, Fences up! ATG JoelPagett 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexander Posted April 18, 2013 Report Share Posted April 18, 2013 Loving the guy in the Smiler hoodie looking at the construction Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jammy3112 Posted April 19, 2013 Report Share Posted April 19, 2013 I went on Tuesday & Wednesday and I was completely awestruck by the sheer enormity of The Smiler! Unfortunately, the banners were still up, and so never quite got a full view. However, I was suckered into buying the Smiler hoodie, like the guy in the picture above! The amount of advertisement and curiosity that this ride is generating is really good, and I saw a few people have quite in depth chats with staff members about when it would open etc etc...I for one was called a geek by one of the Smiler staff, just because I was wearing my hoody hahaha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stretchy Posted April 20, 2013 Report Share Posted April 20, 2013 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. SteveJ, MikeC, Ryan and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted April 21, 2013 Report Share Posted April 21, 2013 Hah! I knew when I saw it from Skyride yesterday it wasn't set properly... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke_A Posted April 21, 2013 Report Share Posted April 21, 2013 *Ta-daaah!* The first inverted drop has finally been pulled into place. I can see these two drops pulling some great G's just like the inline after the MCBR on Speed @ Oakwood, should be a great feeling! (Thanks to TowersTimes) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted April 21, 2013 Report Share Posted April 21, 2013 So gorgeous Also, the Hypnotiser leg is being done... Theme Park Worldwide Whiteknuckle, Sidders and EC! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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