SW5 construction cuts deep into earth at Alton Towers

Posted Monday, March 19, 2001 9:15 AM | Contributed by Jeff

As we reported last week, Alton Towers is building a B&M "flying coaster," where riders will ride in vehicles similar to Vekoma's Flying Dutchman. Code named "SW5" (as in Secret Weapon 5), the ride will open for the 2002 season.

Check out these fabulous construction photos.

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Kari

Monday, March 19, 2001 10:30 AM
cool
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Intamin Fan

Monday, March 19, 2001 11:22 AM
I love the trenches although it's got to be adding major bucks to the cost of this coaster.
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jdancisin

Monday, March 19, 2001 12:25 PM
Trenches may be expensive but they have to be cheaper then building up high.

This ride is going to be awesome. I have said it before but the height restrictions at this park have allowed them to create some really unique rides. If they theme this coaster as well as nemesis it is going to be one scary ride.

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All time Top 5: (1) Millennium Force (2) Alpengeist (3) Hulk (4) Ice Dragon (5) Raptor
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themeparkne

Monday, March 19, 2001 2:31 PM
Lookin' good! I love the way the ride will fly through the trees and trenches. Too bad I've got the pesky Atlantic between me and Alton Towers. Maybe some day....
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duke

Monday, March 19, 2001 4:36 PM
How long is it gonna be? I went to Alton Towers in 1999 and Nemesis was great oblivion gets old easy but this will be 3rd B&M for the park great streak!

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OOPS! I DID IT AGAIN!!!
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Bob Dole

Monday, March 19, 2001 5:13 PM
There is nothing like restriction to force out a realy great design. Be it a space constriction (Cornball express) or a height constriction. I think sometimes when a designer has too much freedom the ride becomes boring.
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janfrederick

Monday, March 19, 2001 5:24 PM
janfrederick's avatar
Perhaps PGA can take note.

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Decisions determine destiny; Destiny determines decisions.
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FloridaCoasterRider

Monday, March 19, 2001 5:27 PM
Alton Towers is certainly wasting no time, considering its not even set to open until 2002! When would you expect track & supports to start to arrive? Maybe SFMM should take note ;)

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I'd Rather Be Riding Rollercoasters
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StealthmF5m3

Monday, March 19, 2001 5:54 PM
I hope this B&M flying coaster is good. The themeing to this SW5 better be good!

The trenches are deep. the one trench that has a curve then goes up is the lift hill. The height is probably not going to be that big which is a bad thing!

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Best Steel
1.) Millennium Force - CP
2.) Medusa - SFMW
3.) Dueling Dragons (Ice) - IOA
4.) Dueling Dragons (Fire) - IOA
5.) The Incredible Hulk - IOA


*** This post was edited by StealthmF5m3 on 3/19/2001. ***
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GenuineCynic

Monday, March 19, 2001 7:01 PM
To respond, there is a reason that Nemesis is loved by many enthusiasts. Is it the 50 foot lift? No. Is it the flatspin that kicks it off? No. It's the trenches, theming, and illusion of speed. It's the twists and turns so tight, they've been known to cause blackouts.

This flying coaster is PERFECT for Alton Tower's hight restriction. I've always felt that Stealth would be better if it were closer to the ground. SW5 will most likely hug the ground amazingly close (DD Wall Crawl close) for the whole ride.

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Loopscrew.com
It's coming...
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carr76013

Monday, March 19, 2001 10:08 PM
The best thing to do when you have a height restriction is get rid of the lift hill and launch!!
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CPgenius

Tuesday, March 20, 2001 8:21 AM
Yeah, it looks impressive just from the photos of the trenches.
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John Wilkes

Tuesday, March 20, 2001 2:21 PM
I hear that it may be launched in a tunnel (to keep noise down for nearby hotel) as well as lifting you up into flying position and staying face first throughout. One thing, with B&M + John Warley + the rest of Tussauds this is going to be one fine ride and height does not matter.

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JawCoasters - Site for UK Coasters
www.wilkes2536.freeserve.co.uk
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Stephen Reeves

Tuesday, April 3, 2001 5:18 PM
WOW!!! Being only an hour away from AT, i'm all excited now like a little kid!!! I am there on Saturday and two weeks on Thursday so i'll take some shots and as I don't have a site of my own, just ask and i'll send you copies!
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