With the opening of Nemesis Reborn fast approaching, Alton Towers Resort have today provided an insight into just some of the individuals behind the project as they complete the finishing touches.
Ahead of the roller coaster’s opening on Saturday 16th March, the Resort have published a selection of photos of the team applying the final touches to Nemesis Reborn. These include some as yet unseen angles of the new-look track, as well as some sneak peeks of the overhauled creature itself, which will take on a much more menacing (and spiky) appearance!
The Resort have also released a time lapse of the track replacement project, which began in November 2022 with the removal of the original track from the top of the lift hill through to the start of the brake run. The new track then arrived and began to be installed from April 2023, with work then also getting underway on transforming the station building and wider theming.
Amongst the on-site team is Senior Project Manager David Taylor, Site Driver Chris Beck, and Construction Director Pete Bartlett whose first job was on the original Nemesis construction project in 1994 alongside dad Harry. Pete said:
“Over thirty years ago I took the first steps in my construction career at Alton Towers, making indelible memories working side by side with my dad on the original Nemesis build.
“There have been many projects since then, but helping to bring back this iconic coaster is a true career highlight.”
Another member of the team is Gemma Byrne who has been given the title of “Tentacle Technician” with responsibility for hand-crafting and installing over 100 metres of tentacles for the attraction – these will be among an extensive array of elements, including state-of-the-art audio visual technology, that will vividly bring to life the Nemesis creature. Gemma said:
“What has always set Alton Towers apart for me is its ambition to tell great stories before anyone even sets foot on a ride.
“It’s been a real thrill to play my part in crafting these tentacles to help bring the narrative of Nemesis Reborn to life.”
Speaking ahead of the imminent opening date, Bianca Sammut, Divisional Director at Alton Towers Resort, said:
“As the final finishing touches take place, we are beyond excited to open the doors to Alton Towers Resort on March 16 so visitors can enjoy the heart-pounding thrills of Nemesis Reborn for themselves.
“At Alton Towers Resort we’re devoted to creating unrivalled experiences for our guests.
“The original Nemesis rollercoaster set a very high bar. But with Nemesis Reborn we’re confident we have raised that even higher.
“I couldn’t be any prouder of our team of engineers, model-makers and technicians who have truly surpassed themselves on this project.”
A range of facts about both Nemesis itself and the project to transform it into Nemesis Reborn have also been shared:
- 53 pieces of track
- 89 columns
- Over 2,500 bolts
- 716 metre track length
- 250 tonne track weight
- Each of the two passenger trains weighs 10 tonnes unloaded
- 1400 working days over 17 months
- Team of over 500 construction workers
- Over 750 different tradespeople from all over the world
- 10,000 test runs of the ride will be completed before opening day
- Over a mile’s worth hand-painted veins on the track
- Over 8,000 crane lifts during construction
- 10 mile’s worth of cabling to operate the ride, power operate and generate SFX
- 13m – Highest Point
- 50mph – Top Speed
- 3.4 – G Force
- The original Nemesis travelled the equivalent to the moon and back, and back to the moon again
- This is equivalent to circling the world 32.2 times
- More people rode the original Nemesis than the population of Colombia, Spain and South Korea
- Nemesis opened March 19, 1994 and was Europe’s first inverted rollercoaster.
- The original cast of TV show Gladiators were the first riders
- Each track piece was manufactured in Ohio, US
- Over 100 metres of tentacles have been hand-made to bring the new creature to life
Will you be at Alton Towers for Nemesis Reborn’s opening day and the start of the 2024 season on Saturday 16th March? Let us know on our social media channels.
