March 11th 2006
The park trials a special tour of "off limits" areas, for enthusiasts. |
![Filename=btstour060311_01.jpg
Filesize=169KB
Dimensions=1024x768
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_01.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_01.jpg)
10:15amThe tour guide for the day was Terry Dunn, head of Engineering at the park. Rachael Lockitt and Matt Martin, who concieved the idea for the tour/s, also accompanied the group. Here Terry shows the group part of the Sky Ride gondola.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_02.jpg
Filesize=165KB
Dimensions=1024x768
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_02.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_02.jpg)
10:23amThe group moves into the Towers Street Sky Ride station.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_03.jpg
Filesize=144KB
Dimensions=1024x768
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_03.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_03.jpg)
10:26amInside a storage warehouse, Terry explains what the various bits and pieces are.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_04.jpg
Filesize=181KB
Dimensions=768x1024
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_04.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_04.jpg)
10:28amTerry explaining another piece of equipment.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_05.jpg
Filesize=198KB
Dimensions=1024x768
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_05.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_05.jpg)
10:40amOutside, the group gathers round... a skip.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_06.jpg
Filesize=233KB
Dimensions=1024x768
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_06.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_06.jpg)
10:44amTerry talks about the Oblivion chain that has been replaced (shown in the skip!), the Nemesis chain's lifespan, and why Thunder Looper was removed from the park in 1996.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_07.jpg
Filesize=195KB
Dimensions=1024x768
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_07.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_07.jpg)
10:56amEn route to Duel, the group walks through Katanga Canyon and has a look at the new golf game there.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_08.jpg
Filesize=224KB
Dimensions=1024x768
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_08.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_08.jpg)
10:59amGathered outside Duel.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_09.jpg
Filesize=207KB
Dimensions=1024x768
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_09.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_09.jpg)
11:00amOutside the huge Duel warehouse, waiting for Terry to unlock the door.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_10.jpg
Filesize=154KB
Dimensions=1024x768
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_10.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_10.jpg)
11:02amOnce inside, Terry stands next to the control cabin and explains how the ride works.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_11.jpg
Filesize=132KB
Dimensions=1024x768
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_11.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_11.jpg)
11:10pmIn the maintenance area of Duel, Terry shows some of the group how the restraints lock.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_12.jpg
Filesize=160KB
Dimensions=1024x768
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_12.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_12.jpg)
12:01pmSingle file, please - a nice stroll up the Air lift hill.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_13.jpg
Filesize=243KB
Dimensions=1024x768
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_13.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_13.jpg)
12:07pmOutside the Nemesis computer room.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_14.jpg
Filesize=291KB
Dimensions=1024x768
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_14.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_14.jpg)
12:32pmThe group heads for Rita, via the gardens.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_15.jpg
Filesize=254KB
Dimensions=1024x768
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_15.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_15.jpg)
12:33pmGathered outside Rita, waiting to be let into the hydraulics bunker.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_16.jpg
Filesize=181KB
Dimensions=1024x768
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_16.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_16.jpg)
12:35pmInside, Terry explains how the ride can be sped up or slowed down during the launch itself to achieve the 100km/h top speed.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_17.jpg
Filesize=237KB
Dimensions=768x1024
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_17.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_17.jpg)
12:51pmThe group has a wander around the Rita platform, and inside the control tower.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_18.jpg
Filesize=215KB
Dimensions=1024x768
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_18.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_18.jpg)
1:06pmHeading through some heavy gates towards the old Coaster Corner, where the Alton Beast and the Alton Mouse used to live.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_19.jpg
Filesize=303KB
Dimensions=1024x768
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_19.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_19.jpg)
1:11pmWaiting at the foot of the Flag Tower, the group is told to be careful of the spiral steps leading to the top.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_20.jpg
Filesize=139KB
Dimensions=1024x768
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_20.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_20.jpg)
1:16pmFrom the top, the group gets a fantastic view of the park and the surrounding countryside.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_21.jpg
Filesize=172KB
Dimensions=1024x768
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_21.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_21.jpg)
1:16pmNotice the equipment on the floor - this is because the Flag Tower is nowadays used as one giant telephone mast, with several mobile phone companies' aerials attached.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_22.jpg
Filesize=148KB
Dimensions=1024x768
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_22.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_22.jpg)
1:16pmTerry and Rachael have a chat while the group takes photographs.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_23.jpg
Filesize=275KB
Dimensions=1024x768
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_23.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_23.jpg)
1:27pmBack down to earth, and everyone heads to Hex via the staff access route.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_24.jpg
Filesize=171KB
Dimensions=1024x768
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_24.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_24.jpg)
1:27pmOutside the giant shed which houses the finale of the ride.
|
|
![Filename=btstour060311_25.jpg
Filesize=162KB
Dimensions=1024x768
Date added=Mar 11, 2006 btstour060311_25.jpg](albums/misc/btstour060311/thumb_btstour060311_25.jpg)
1:29pmInside the control room, the operator shows the group how he controls the ride. Hex was open today, so the group gets to see it fully in action.
|
|
|
|
|
|