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Re: The Smiler - Construction Discussion

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 2:59 am
by coasterdude_1
The reason they typically build a coaster in the order that it will travel (eg Gatekeeper, recently) is to avoid situations like this with mismatches. By building in order you can adjust support positioning as you go.

In the case of this one, it probably wasn't possible to do that given the jigsaw of components involved so they've not made it super easy for themselves.

Anyway, this is totally normal, we just don't typically see it, as usually the last bits to go in are low down and towards the end, rather than the highest point with all the enthusiast world watching each millimeter movement with bated breath. Is it surprising or could be viewed that a final piece of track is 6 inches on a track length of 3,840ft is an unforeseen problem? I'd say not, given the tolerances they'll be working to.

Re: The Smiler - Construction Discussion

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 3:04 am
by Rollercoasters4Life
Oh dear...looks like there will be some deleted messages in the morning! Remember guys, don't drink and post - could end in some embarrassing posts ay, snory Boz! :P

Hopefully we will have some informants on park tomorrow (today now) which can put our minds to rest about this dreaded piece of track, ay?

Then we can go back to moaning about the fins! :lol:

Re: The Smiler - Construction Discussion

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 3:13 am
by Kirsty25
I could actually do with a description of fins and their use on the track but if someone can, pm me as I'm off forum for 3 days when I go to sleep lol.

It's not a disastrous error in the scheme of the size of the thing they're building, I just hope they can get it sorted and it doesn't delay things too much, shame we've all been watching it so intently in a way cos we've seen a lot of mistakes and misjudgements in the construction.

Heres hoping it doesn't spoil the ride experience!

Re: The Smiler - Construction Discussion

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 8:00 am
by mattallennet
Evostance wrote: They should have just demolished those toilets and built some proper supports that are incorporated into a new toilet block.  It might have cost more, but the toilets at the Towers are pretty dated and old anyway.  They all need refurbing.
Agreed. They must have spent quite some time debating it too, and I'd imagine that costs, time constraints, planning permission, land availability and other issues all played a part. I think a tidy up and minor re-theme / re-fence around the toilets will be enough. A bit like the fencing near Duel, but made to 'fit in' with X-sector. The toilets could always do with a refurb, but that's for a whole other topic!

Re: The Smiler - Construction Discussion

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 9:21 am
by Don't_Look_Down
Evostance wrote: They should have just demolished those toilets and built some proper supports that are incorporated into a new toilet block.  It might have cost more, but the toilets at the Towers are pretty dated and old anyway.  They all need refurbing.
It's not as simple as that. It would cost an absolutely fortune to knock down the toilets and move a whole plumbing system elsewhere. It can't just be done (or so a trusted source tells me).

Re: The Smiler - Construction Discussion

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 9:26 am
by RollercoasterGEEK100
They will fix the track or order another piece, so lets move on and talk about something else now.  :roll:

Re: The Smiler - Construction Discussion

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 9:38 am
by Evostance
Don't_Look_Down wrote:
Evostance wrote: They should have just demolished those toilets and built some proper supports that are incorporated into a new toilet block.  It might have cost more, but the toilets at the Towers are pretty dated and old anyway.  They all need refurbing.
It's not as simple as that. It would cost an absolutely fortune to knock down the toilets and move a whole plumbing system elsewhere. It can't just be done (or so a trusted source tells me).
I'm not talking about moving them.  I'm talking about demolishing them, and rebuilding them in the same spot but with the supports incorporated into the new building

Yeah it would have cost more, but they get a new toilet block which will probably need work in the future anyway.  Now if they need to demolish them it's going to be a right pain

Re: The Smiler - Construction Discussion

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 9:39 am
by MatthewR1990
Why do people want a themed toilet block? It's a toilet! But in regards to this piece that doesn't fit I do wish people would read through at least the last few pages of posts before posting. It has been discussed greatly and we all know that this piece will be in place.

We are mere minutes away from an update on the situation on this piece. Unless they ran out of time last night this piece will be in guaranteed!

Re: The Smiler - Construction Discussion

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 10:04 am
by ManiaMuse
I think the reason why they built over the toilets is that they would have had to do a separate planning application for the toilet building which they had no guarantee of being successful with.

From what I've read here, they didn't actually need to submit a full drawing of the Smiler like they did as there are already rides in the area. But they did need to show the new buildings.

Plus, with it being the only large toilet block on that side of the park, they would have had to knock it all down and rebuild it over the closed period which may have been pushing it time and budget wise.

Re: The Smiler - Construction Discussion

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 10:11 am
by lewis97
Work has now started on The Hypnotiser, as shown in this image from Theme Park Worldwide's Facebook page!

Image

Rather than post again, here's another image from TPW, showing paint going onto the station.

Image

Re: The Smiler - Construction Discussion

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 10:29 am
by Evostance
lewis97 wrote: Work has now started on The Hypnotiser, as shown in this image from Theme Park Worldwide's Facebook page!

Image
The marmaliser is looking quite good now.  Much better than its original state.

I'm still not fond of that party hat though,  really is out of proportion

Re: The Smiler - Construction Discussion

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 10:30 am
by Mattfat1
They have joined the track. Well almost. Upload a pic to my twitter @mattfat1 I someone wants to get it

Re: The Smiler - Construction Discussion

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 10:32 am
by AndreJD
I feel like you don't really look at the party hat unless you're looking for it. Which obviously begs the question why bother sticking it on at all, but it's not really a problem in my opinion.

Here's @Mattfat1's images of the joined up track

Image

Image

Re: The Smiler - Construction Discussion

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 10:34 am
by lewis97
AndreJD wrote: Here's @Mattfat1's images of the joined up track

Image
Beat me to it, but I'll say something constructive instead... (See what I did there!)

I'm sure that in no more than a hour or so, it will fit perfectly and be bolted up.

Re: The Smiler - Construction Discussion

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 10:37 am
by spin_doctor
I understand why they wouldn't knock down the toilet block for the ride, as it's a lot easier for the designer to design supports to fit over it than to knock them down and build on the spot. However, I don't understand those of you who suggest building a toilet block is time consuming and expensive as it really isn't. For one, they would have seperate contractors meaning it wouldn't affect the Smilers construction at all. A toilet block is the most basic building ever, only slightly more complex than the games stall they have thrown up in a couple of weeks. And whilst bricks and mortar and plumbing are more expensive, to a theme park who spent tens of millions on new coasters, a simple brick building is mere pennies.

I think they built over them simply because they can, I mean, why go to such pointless effort of knocking them down, it looks fine as it currently stands, I like the supports over the toilet.

Re: The Smiler - Construction Discussion

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 10:38 am
by RollercoasterGEEK100
Atleast they've manages to pull it together! I knew they were going to fix it.

Re: The Smiler - Construction Discussion

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 10:42 am
by TomL
Roodlesnouter is on park today, here is a pic from him on twitter (@roodlesnouter): Well that's one way of doing it,  nearly there but not quite Image

Re: The Smiler - Construction Discussion

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 10:45 am
by lewis97
Are they using the weight of the cherry picker to push the track into place!? Or is that just a strange perspective...

Re: The Smiler - Construction Discussion

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 10:46 am
by TomL
@roodlesnouter: Anyone need a leg up? Image

Re: The Smiler - Construction Discussion

Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 11:03 am
by lewis97
More photos of The Hypnotiser from Roodlesnouter's twitter. Some hypno discs appear to already be in place on their motors.

EDIT: Actually they may be fixtures that the discs will attach onto.

Image