1st November 2000
John Wardley’s Rollercoaster Tycoon recreation of what Colossus would look like, and views across the construction site where land clearing had been completed, along with the installation of the first piles and foundations.
4th December 2000
Further piles were being driven into the ground for the cobra roll trench. A model was installed at the edge of the construction site, providing guests with an insight in to how the finished attraction would look.
7th January 2001
Work on the foundations and footers had started, with a retaining wall built between the construction site and X:\ No Way Out, to allow space for the maintenance building to be constructed.
26th January 2001
Continued ground work and preparations for the raised walkway, which will span from one end of the coaster to the other.
6th February 2001
Concrete structures were now visible on the left of the site, with the queue line set to pass through the dark blue tunnel.
22nd February 2001
The majority of the footers for ride supports were now complete, and work was continuing on the trench for the cobra roll.
15th March 2001
A lot more concrete was now visible, and the raised walkway was coming together.
6th April 2001
The first photo shows the lift hill footers in place, with the raised walkway bridge progressing next to them. The track will pass under the bridge twice; after the vertical loop, and in between the two corkscrews.
16th May 2001
The paths leading up to the raised concrete bridge were being constructed.
17th June 2001
The raised walkway was almost complete, set to provide great views of the ride in operation. Windows were created in the construction fence which provided onlookers with a clear view in to the site.
15th July 2001
A new concrete access path was constructed through the water, and a large scaffolding structure was built in preparation for construction of the lift hill.
21st July 2001
The initial delivery of steel consisted of four pieces of track for the station and lift hill, and various supports.
29th July 2001
As more and more deliveries arrived each day, supports were installed for the taller half of the lift hill.
3rd August 2001
The taller half of the lift hill was topped off with track. The bottom half and the station were installed at a later date. The supports for the heartline rolls started going in.
25th August 2001
The first turn around and drop were complete, and more supports were being installed all over the site. Work also began on the queue line. The last two photos were taken by John Wardley on 28/08/01.
9th September 2001
The vertical loop had been constructed, along with the airtime hill proceeding it. Work was now focused on the cobra roll.
15th September 2001
The shorter half of the lift hill was constructed, and track started to rise for the cobra roll. The rest of the track and supports for the layout had now arrived on site.
26th September 2001
The cobra roll and both corkscrews were now complete. The remaining supports for the four heartline rolls were installed, along with those for the final turnaround.
3rd October 2001
The layout was almost complete. Only the brake run, station, and transfer track were remaining. One of the corner supports for X:\ No Way Out’s building was replaced with a modified version, allowing adequate clearance for the transfer track area for Colossus.
28th October 2001
The station track was installed, along with lighting along the lift hill. Supports had started to be bolted down securely, and grouted to the footers.
18th November 2001
The ride circuit was now complete, with the installation of the transfer and maintenance track.
29th December 2001
The station walls started to rise, with the ride computer system now in place. The chain had been added to the lift hill, and the process for ride commissioning had commenced.
3rd January 2002
The first stages of ride testing had begun by means of a track pull-through, where a single car is pulled through the course by ropes and pulleys. The maintenance and shop building framework were both erected, and theming had begun on the exterior of the station.
19th January 2002
The station exterior was almost finished, whilst work continued on the other two new structures. The maintenance building was complete, not matching the themed style of the station and shop.
2nd February 2002
These photos were taken at the European Coaster Club AGM, which included a park tour and exclusive views of the construction site. The ride tested with the first ever passengers on this day.
24th February 2002
Landscaping commenced, with turf being laid on the banks of the lake, and new wooden fencing installed along the raised walkway. Themed pillars holding metal fencing were added on the bridge and around cobra roll pit.
11th March 2002
General landscaping and theming continued, and construction started on the former Customs House building next to the Thorpe Belle, which became a new food outlet with a pleasant balcony overlooking the ride.
13th March 2002
Tomorrow’s World, a BBC show, recorded a live broadcast from the park. The programme featured a special preview of Colossus, with an experiment on riders that studied how their adrenaline levels rose as they experienced the ride for the first time. Final preparations were underway on the site ahead of the opening on 22nd March.
