Alton Towers Secret Weapon 7 (SW7)

[UK-Trigg]

Roodles, I get an error message on the video, saying: "Sorry. The creator of this video has not given you permission to embed it on this domain. This is a Vimeo Plus feature."

Have put a link up until I can find a you tube version. Hope it works.

PS just working on an update from today. :thumbs:

 

[Felipe]

Thanks, Roodles!

 

[Hatetofly]

Holy effin vomit

 

[Hockeyman55]

:drool:

 

[UK-Trigg]

So here we go again with another update. The Smiler really is not far off now, most of what we can see being done is finishing touches. Not long now Smiler fans

Entrance

Work continued on the entrance with block paving being fitted.

Entrance overviews

Closer up

Landscaping

Plants, Shrubs and grass is being planted.

The turf looks good and really sets off the black track

Trains

I missed trains going round by 10 mins so only managed these 2 shots of the trains.

Theming

A close look at the Hypnotisers theming.

Getting a lick of paint

Marmaliers new base

Close up Marmaliser shot

A smiler has appeared down in the pit

Other Bits and Bobs

Still quite a bit of touching up to do

CCTV at the top of the vertical lift

More fencing being installed

A look down the bunny hill 5 Gs at the bottom 0 Gs at the top (Thanks to JW for this info)

John Wardley

The rides designer, the legend, John wardley.

Meeting JW was a personal highlight for me.

Chatted with John for quite a while, he is a real down to earth guy and Im so happy I met him before he "retired". Later in the day I got chatting to Mike Tubbs, Project manager, another great guy who I had a fascinating conversation with.

Final overview shot

 

[bobwadd]

^ Another great update as always

 

[Felipe]

Thanks for the update, Roodles! How cool that you got to chat with the ride peeps! Very cool! :thumbs:

 

[Hatetofly]

Roodles I envy you getting to have a casual chat with him. Your updates through this coaster have been phenomenal!

 

[UK-Trigg]

^ Another great update as always

Thanks for the update, Roodles! How cool that you got to chat with the ride peeps! Very cool! :thumbs:

Roodles I envy you getting to have a casual chat with him. Your updates through this coaster have been phenomenal!

Thanks a lot guys. It is nice to know you are all enjoying my updates across the pond :thumbs: Seeing as you are enjoying them so much here is another from today.


Entrance

Plans, in another set I noticed a sign to go on the side of the entrance

new signs

we also got new theming

Close ups

Entrance overview

Be running down here in less than a week

Landscaping

Many plants,shrubs and tress have been planted and they really brighten up the area

Shop

New frame work has appeared on the side of the shop/station building

Shop sign has gone up

and merchandising has started

Bit & Bobs

Something being installed at the bottom of the Re-hydrater, whatever it is there will be 2 of them

wiring up the half way screens

New camera on the marmaliser

Supports

Marmaliser shots

A few track shots to finish
Sea serpent

A look down the tracks

The two lift hills

So their you have it. Ride opens a week today so not many more updates to come 2 maybe 3 and then it will be review time, I really cant wait to ride this thing now.

Talking of riding here is one more on ride Video for ya to feast your eyes on.

[video=youtube;LwsDR_zJ7nc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=LwsDR_zJ7nc[/video]

 

[bobwadd]

^ More great shots Roodles! Thanks

 

[Felipe]

The area is lookin' snazzy! Can't wait to read your review, Roodles! You lucky, lucky fella! op:

 

[UK-Trigg]

Here is a video I shot a few dats back, it shows the Marmaliser screens testing a new imporoved video....

For those of you who don't know this is the Marmaliser.....Video below

[video=youtube;eDu6HIc3sKY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDu6HIc3sKY[/video]

 

[bobwadd]

Awesome video, thanks

 

[UK-Trigg]

I had another day on park to bring you the latest from the site, it was quite a slow day as The Smiler seems to be having a few issues and most of the work looks like it is about done. The ride is looking really good though and I just can't wait to ride it but for now, here is my penultimate update.

Media

Remnants of last nights media event

Another event was scheduled for this morning,

All the Effects were running on the Marmaliser

New lights were shining on the entrance

But that's where it ended as the ride didn't go anywhere

and the waiting media were sent away. The ride didn't move all day.

Working on the first lift.

Signage

More signs have been added

Close ups

and we now have signs above queue line entrances

Footers

With the groundworks complete all that is left is to paint the footers

Floor Theming

Merlin studios turned up with a wagon full of theming

It was used to create the yellow markings on the ground within the queue area

Other Bits

Evacuation stairs

More stock in the shop

So thats it for the penultimate update we are very nearly there Smiler fans, only 5 more days until opening . I plan one more trip before the big day, possibly Monday. After that I will be LIVE on park from Wednesday to bring you all the action as it happens, more info about TTLive to come.

Enjoy the update and be sure to look out for the final Instalment on Monday...

Bonus shot taken from TV, really puts this thing into perspective.

 

[Hatetofly]

Amazing update Roodles, too bad for the media coverage though.

 

[Felipe]

Awesome update! Thanks, Roodles! :thumbs: I love that first warning on the sign

 

[bobwadd]

Another great update as usual :thumbs:

 

[UK-Trigg]

Amazing update Roodles, too bad for the media coverage though.

Awesome update! Thanks, Roodles! :thumbs: I love that first warning on the sign

Another great update as usual :thumbs:

Thanks guys not long to go now, hopefully.

As I mentioned yesterday The Smiler had a bit of a problem at the media events, with the press being turned away and the ride not running all day on Saturday. The problem stemmed from the media event from the night before (Friday) where one of the trains got stuck on the first lift hill. Many had turned up including celebrities to pre ride and attend a launch party. The celebs and many others left disapointed without after not getting a go on the new ride. I just hope Thurdays not in jeopardy.

Here is one of the news papers takes on events

And another can be found here

 

[bobwadd]

^ Please let us know when you find out what happened. It's a shame that this had to happen but we did discuss lack of testing.

Love this shot from The Daily Mail . . .

 

[TheDecemberists]

^Looks like a pile of barbed wire