Static Veins wrote: Well now we know what the crane's for - putting a train on the track:
From TowersStreet Facebook.
This has to be a good sign, right? RIGHT?!
I'm hoping so. They only put 4 out of the 5 trains on in the end before, didn't they? Actually, I'm pretty sure it's new because you can see plastic on the seats still - something that was taken off all the other trains I believe.James97 wrote:my question is, are they new trains?.Static Veins wrote: Well now we know what the crane's for - putting a train on the track:
*SNIP*
From TowersStreet Facebook.
This has to be a good sign, right? RIGHT?!
I think your missing my point, did these trains stall, and thats why they are being moved.nemesis_nut wrote:Static Veins wrote: Well now we know what the crane's for - putting a train on the track:
From TowersStreet Facebook.
This has to be a good sign, right? RIGHT?!
Thatll be why I saw the carriages disappearing yesterday, anyone know why they were taken off??? Possibility they are new but i doubt it, im guessing tweeks.
No confirmation, but I dont see the need of closing the x sector for a day to move a car of the brake run.nemesis_nut wrote: Trains stalling, I dont know if thats been confirmed at all, thought that was a rumour Anyone know?
TSFB page an official AT thing?Benji wrote: Apparently x-sector was closed today due to one of the smiler trains stalling, and the crane was brought in to get the stranded train round the track - source, TowersStreet Facebook page
they have a maintenance shed for that though, there would be no need to take them of the track by crane.Astro61201 wrote: training wheels being removed perhaps?
You can see the height restriction board in this photo, plus it's a sunny day. So I think it's real and would explain why the ride is closed.altontowersbarlow wrote: Towers street were the ones who used an old photo to try and prove fences were being removed
Alton Towers are now taking the mick! I support them in everything they do but this is going to ruin them! Bank holiday weekend is probably going to be busy, very busy! As much as I wanted this ride to be finished I am losing my interest in it now!SamPowell wrote: AT's website has been updated. The smiler wont open All bank holiday weekend.
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Told you so!jbuckton18 wrote:Ill bet you a few quid it will open sometime this weekend ( Sunday or Monday ) ?Stern John wrote: I'll bet with anyone that The Smiler will not be open this weekend including Monday.
I will also say that it won't be fully operational (ie running on or near capacity) until June at the earliest.
I wouldn't say it'll ruin them but it's certainly doing a good job of ****ing off (sorry mods, but there really is no other way to describe it) the enthusiast communityW@LLI$ wrote:Alton Towers are now taking the mick! I support them in everything they do but this is going to ruin them! Bank holiday weekend is probably going to be busy, very busy! As much as I wanted this ride to be finished I am losing my interest in it now!SamPowell wrote: AT's website has been updated. The smiler wont open All bank holiday weekend.
Couldn't have summed it up better myself.ponder wrote: I'm not sure whether this adds any fuel to the 'stalling' fire, but when at Thorpe Park 2 weeks ago, Saw was down all day as it had stalled on the overbank after the Immelman during testing that morning. I believe it's not the first time, and I'm still not sure how it's possible to stall there - but it was there all day, with another train held at the top of the vertical lift.
Seems to be a potential Gertslauer glitch...
As for Alton Towers and them advertising an opening date, well, I can totally understand people's frustration and anger. A lot of people travel long distances to visit Alton Towers, and will book hotels and days off work weeks and months in advance. Towers gave a clear opening date and there was no reason to suspect there would be major issues. Sure, some of us might anticipate some down-time, but for the coaster not to open at all 3 days after it's advertised opening date is a poor showing indeed. To be honest, even without the weather over winter, I can't see there being any way they could have ever opened for the start of season - they've always appeared to be a long way behind schedule with this project.
As for how they've handled it, reports from on park would suggest they have a lot of angry customers on their hands, and offering return tickets is not much compensation for people who've travelled long distances, booked time off work and incurred fuel costs etc. Customer service is the most important part of being in the service industry, and they've failed pretty badly on all counts here.
I understand why enthusiasts are defensive of Alton Towers, but the general public simply don't have your level of knowledge around theme parks, coasters and potential problems. They will see it advertised on the TV, the huge level of coverage in the national media over the last fortnight, and plan their visit. So I totally empathise with their situation.
The fact a crane was used to take a train off, was probably the main reason its closed. If the pictures old, and about the fences, thats probably been sortedJordanGriffin wrote: You can see the height restriction board in this photo, plus it's a sunny day. So I think it's real and would explain why the ride is closed.
