With Alton Towers Resort closing the theme park gates for the final time on the main 2017 season, the annual Ultimate Fireworks Spectacular offered an opportunity to take a last detailed look at construction of the Resort’s upcoming wooden rollercoaster. TowersTimes take a look at the latest progress.
The weekend saw the path from Mutiny Bay to Katanga Canyon opened up for full days for the first time, offering the ideal opportunity to view progress from the station side of the construction site. The main station and maintenance building is now completely enclosed and clad in ‘aged’ wood allowing for work to continue within the building. Whilst not much can be seen of this interior work, a wooden frame can be made out just inside the maintenance area of the building, however it is not known what this is for. Work on the track from the maintenance area to the station appears to now be largely complete, with the framework for the tunnel in place ready for the section to be enclosed.
Although the main theming feature has remained firmly under wraps, the track which travels through the structure is now in the process of being added with there appearing to be a small bunny hop as it passes through the uppermost part of the structure.
Over on the lift hill, the lift chain system has now been installed with the main chain return cog clearly visible at the lift hill’s peak.
Across the site, the track is in various stages of being installed, with the metal topper track now in place on the lift hill and first drop. Other areas of the track have had all 6 layers of southern pine installed in preparation for the addition of the metal track components, whilst further along the layout the wood is at varying stages of layering.
Work has also been steadily continuing on the queueline with large sections of paving now in place along with queueline fencing. What would appear to be the games stall indicated on plans has also been constructed at the Mutiny Bay end of the construction site. The rockwork theming on the wall underneath and next to the station is also now complete.
For the first time, guests were able to walk directly underneath the ride this weekend as the access road leading underneath the lift hill was opened for a brief period following each fireworks display, offering a unique perspective of the ride, and allowing a closer look at the bottom of the ride’s first drop.
What are your thoughts on the latest construction progress? Join in the discussion over on the Attraction Source Forum. With closed season now upon us, TowersTimes will continue to bring you all the latest news surrounding SW8 as we get it.
