Attraction Source Forum

Danny wrote: Taken from TT News:

Alton Towers latest rollercoaster, The Smiler opened over a week ago. With the immense amount of positive reviews clearly outweighing the negative, The Smiler has been a massive hit to guests of the resort.  It was therefore only going to be a short amount of time before fastrack was introduced for the ride.

Fastrack isn't normally introduced for a brand new ride until later on in the season, much like Thirteen when it opened in 2010. However, the sheer popularity of The Smiler [which has lead to three hour queues and the ride having to close at 8pm on some days] has seen the introduction of Fastrack for the ride.

With regards to the Fastrack, TowersTimes have approached Liz Greenwood at the Resort, who has had this to say:

"We have introduced very limited numbers of Fastracks for The Smiler to help us manage the queue line more effectively – ie, by opening the Fastrack line we can take some people out of the overflow area.  We’re very much reviewing it on a daily basis to ensure we get the balance right."

At present, only a certain amount of Fastracks for The Smiler are being sold each hour, so they sell out very quickly!

In other news however, The Smiler has stalled yet again, this time for the third occasion. On both previous occasions, a train has 'valleyed' on the batwing element of the ride circuit. The last stall, which occurred last week, saw an unweighted train stop in the centre, and had to be removed by a crane. There was speculation that the lack of weight caused the train to be stopped. It was also noted that the yellow wheel covers were removed from all trains after this incident. Thankfully, The Smiler opened the next day.

Unfortunately the third time hasn't been so lucky with a ride vehicle, this time with weighted dummies as it came to a halt on the batwing. It is believed that the rides computer system caused the trim brakes on the first airtime hill to be applied unnecessarily, causing the vehicle to come to a halt. A crane is currently on site to remove the stalled vehicle, and X Sector will remain open to the guests, something which hasn't happened on the past two occasions.

Liz Greenwood went on to inform TowersTimes that Alton Towers are working closely with Gerstlauer in order to rectify the problem. We will have information regarding The Smiler opening again as soon as we get it.

Rob-TT wrote: I believe the crane pulls the car though the track.

You can't get a better source than Alton Towers themself.

lewis97 wrote:

Rob-TT wrote: I believe the crane pulls the car though the track.

You can't get a better source than Alton Towers themself.

Although most people say that it is taken off, I think this may depend on what the issue is. Obviously if it is an issue with the train, then it cannot be pulled through the track as this may result in further damage to the train and track.

However, as on this occasion it is a computer and trim problem, they should be able to pull the train back up to the previous high point and release it from there, as it should be able to complete the next inversions and get to the  block. I can't see them pulling it completely around the track (to the vertical lift hill) with just one crane.

Adam wrote: We know because the resort has told us this.

mike_roller wrote:

Adam wrote: We know because the resort has told us this.

Fair enough but then why not write that in your article.

"It is believed that the rides computer system caused the trim brakes on the first airtime hill to be applied unnecessarily, causing the vehicle to come to a halt" just sounds like speculation.

tallicay2k wrote: And so the "is it the train or is it the track?" Dispute starts again.
Jeez, sick of it.
Just read the TT article and be happy.

sweedish2009 wrote: To top things off I'm currently waiting in queue for a now 'broken down' Oblivion. Guest services, I hope your prepared for me