Alton Towers Almanac: Gallery: March 9th 2005

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ATA › Gallery › Construction › Rita - Queen of Speed › March 9th 2005

Rita's maintenance shed is about half complete now, and it is bright red in colour (to match the control tower).

From the Corkscrew lift hill we take a look towards the train in the offload part of the station.

In this nice shot, you can see that most of the paving in Ug Land has been put back.

Corkscrew is still without its canopy, but it will be in place by the time Ug Land opens to the public.

In this photo you can clearly see where the track "jumps" from a bright red colour to a pale green, after complaints about the ride being visible from a nearby village.

Rita's queue lines, which go under the launch section of track as you can see here.

One of the speakers - Bose, naturally - for the ride music, which (like Spinball Whizzer) will be a playlist of hundreds of songs.

Workers are still finishing the queue lines for Rita and Corkscrew.

This is the "cattle pen" section of Rita's queue line.

From here you can see Corkscrew's entrance and exit paths, which pass the Corkscrew on-ride photo booth.

Another look at Rita's queue line, weaving around the ride's huge supports.

Corkscrew's queue line entrance, with Rita looming above.

Two of Corkscrew's music speakers. It remains to be seen if the "Ug Land" soundtrack will be kept.

Another music speaker "planted" in the ground.

Work on constructing the platform for Ug Swinger is continuing.

At the bottom of the hydraulics shed, we can see the drum inside.

And here's the top of the shed, complete with chequered patterns around the hole cut for the cables.

The end of the launch section of track.

This is the cooling system for the hydraulics, placed next to the shed.

Next to the cooling system, the new Cave Games building is being constructed.

Rita's entrance tyre.

The restrictions sign for Rita. Remember to grip those restraints...

At the top of the restrictions sign are the opening & closing times for the day.

In the Rita single rider queue line, near to the station. The queue on the right is the "normal" queue.

Rita easily dominates the Ug Land skyline.

Train 2 sat in the maintenance shed, still with test dummies in. The first ever test run is not far away...

This worker, who obviously doesn't fear heights, is hacking off branches of this tree with a chainsaw. The work is being carried out so that the Sky Ride does not collide with any branches.

Rita's maintenance shed, which is still under construction.

Train 1, which is sat in the offload section in this photo. Workers were transferring it back and forth from offload to onload today, gearing up for the first test run.

The back of train 1.

A nice front-on shot of the second train, in the maintenance garage.

Of all the roller coasters at Alton Towers, Rita must have the most decorative trains!

Underneath the station, where several large speakers have been installed. These are to make the "screeching tyre" sound effects that will accompany the launch of the train and the smoke effect.

Still under the station, looking up at train 1.

Looking down Rita's brake run towards the station. Notice that the "starting lights" have not yet been installed.

Underneath the brake run, you can see that there are similar components to those seen underneath the launch, as well as the "fins" above the track.

A close up of a wheel assembly on train 2.

Inside the maintenance shed, looking towards the station.

Looking towards where the track continues out the back of the maintenance shed, underneath the final turn.

The side of the maintenance shed nearest to Corkscrew.

Corkscrew's first drop, which should provide an excellent view of Rita.

Ug Swinger is still being reconstructed next to Rita's first turn.

The Sky Ride station in Ug Land. The ride will be open from the start of the season, so guests will have a nice view of the ride being tested.

An arty shot of the two Rita trains.

Looking at the front of the Rita maintenance garage from next to the station.

Just over two weeks remain before Rita is due to open for Hotel guests only on March 25th.

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