Alton Towers Almanac: Gallery: March 18th 2005

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ATA › Gallery › Construction › Rita - Queen of Speed › March 18th 2005

One week until the ride is launched with Hotel guests on board, and the testing schedule is still very busy.

A stunning photograph of Rita during testing, with one of Alton Towers' most famous icons, Corkscrew, in the foreground.

Looking at the ride circuit from Corkscrew's station platform.

Standing in Corkscrew's queue line. On the right is the ride's exit path, and over the fence to the left is Rita's queue line.

The reason that there is a 7 foot fence on one side of Corkscrew's queue line, is to prevent queue jumpers from hopping over straight into Rita's queue line.

This bunting has appeared today, inbetween the supports of Rita's first turn.

Looking towards Ug Swinger from what will eventually be grass.

Another shot showing the bunting that has been put in place. It has also been put on part of Corkscrew.

Rita's three airtime hills, as seen from Corkscrew's queue line.

Some of Corkscrew's theming, in contrast to the Rita hydraulics shed in the background.

This shot, taken from Corkscrew's exit path, shows just how close Rita comes to Corkscrew's station roof.

Looking towards Corkscrew, from the ride's exit path. Once again you will be able to walk under Rita as it flies past at high speed.

From the same spot, we turn towards Rita's airtime hills.

You can see from this shot that Corkscrew's station canopy is the same colour as Rita's track.

We reckon Corkscrew's exit path could become very crowded in 2005, with guests stopping to buy on-ride photos and also staring at Rita overhead.

The two roller coasters.

One of the trains heading over the crest of the first airtime hill, during testing.

A train heads towards the third airtime hill at great speed.

Ug Swinger is now fully constructed, after just 2 weeks.

Unlike previous years, the ride's operator cabin will no longer be in a booth on the platform. Now, a new cabin will be constructed to one side of the ride.

The chairs have all now been attatched to the chains.

This shot shows just how close Ug Swinger is to Rita's launch. And remember, those chairs swing outwards during operation...

The restrictions sign next to the entrance of Rita's Single Rider Queue (SRQ).

A No Entry sign for a staff-only area.

Rita in fading daylight. The clock to the ride's opening is ticking...

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