Alton Towers testing rebuilt Nemesis

I always liked the weathered look of the track before, and wasn't crazy about the "veined" graphics on the new track initially--more so the contrast of the stark red against the black. It's growing on me, and I'm thinking it will look even better as it ages.

I guess I didn't realize that they were replacing the whole thing. It sure says something about B&M that parks are willing to to beat the crap out of a ride for decades, and replace it with literally the same thing when it's time.

Opened in 1994 - where have we heard that before?

I am curious as to how the run times compare between Raptor and Nemesis. Looking at Alton Towers calendar for 2024 they appear to have a longer operating season than CP. Maybe Raptor has another few years before it hits end of life?

Nemesis was a custom job in the strictest sense. There are so many height and sound restrictions at that park that they chose to (were forced to?) go ahead and build a sensational ride but hide much of it below ground level. If they absolutely needed to replace the ride it probably made sense economically to just duplicate the original. Another reason is that the ride is truly beloved, remains one of the most popular anywhere and it still delivers the thrills. I can only imagine the outcry if it were to be razed for good and replaced with something else.

Jeff:

It sure says something about B&M that parks are willing to to beat the crap out of a ride for decades, and replace it with literally the same thing when it's time.

Looking angrily towards Islands Of Adventure.

It's easy to imagine that even if it is only a track replacement (article says "complete rebuild," so not sure), the price tag for such a project would be more than the original install back in '94. It's amazing that a park would be willing to make that kind of investment just to refresh an existing ride. No doubt Cedar Flags would do the same thing.

Its like getting a new roof, furnace or driveway: when I left for work this morning, I had a cover on my house that kept out rain and snow, a house that was warm or a place to park my cars (or let someone run an oil change business) and when I return home tonight after work I will have those things as well but less money in my bank account. Parks have coasters that run and sometimes replace them with essentially the same thing and afterwards have much less $$ to spend.

There's a big difference between "kept the rain out" and "mostly kept the rain out." Unfortunately, I speak from experience here.

I guess I didn't realize that they were replacing the whole thing.

The lift was not replaced nor the break run and station track, also the station is looking to get the modern Alton Towers theming upgrade, along with the whole area it is in.

The biggest surprise was how much they beefed up all the supports, and bracing, but 30 years of stress and perfecting track, and computer modeling will help that.

Raptor

First Batman is 2 years older, and Kumba is a year older as well.

So happy they kept this thing around and is most of the reason we are headed to England this spring, as it is literally the top of the bucket list in terms of stuff I want to ride (not much there though anymore, to be honest).

B&M inverts have always been my preferred ride of choice among all others... So I'm ecstatic we didn't miss out on it. I don't expect it to become my favorite invert, but who knows. I just want to ride the damn thing.

Oh, and totally love the paint scheme... Love that they went for something never done before and IMO, looks great.

Kumba is not rideable. It's so rough. Montu is only slightly better off.

Shades:

I am curious as to how the run times compare between Raptor and Nemesis. Looking at Alton Towers calendar for 2024 they appear to have a longer operating season than CP. Maybe Raptor has another few years before it hits end of life?

Alton Towers indeed has a longer season (Feb - Oct) but they also close absurdly early (5-6pm!) most of the year, so I don't think it's as far off as one would think.

not much there though anymore, to be honest

England is getting a good number of rides this year, Hyperia looks on track to open on time too.

Montu is only slightly better off

With Loch Ness just now getting re-tracked, has another American Steel Coaster (Non-Disney) been re-tracked?

Magnum has had sections replaced. Bottom of the first drop doesn't seem they long ago.

Ah yes, It is just such a Europe vs US thing, retracking a steel coaster.

I know Vekoma has done great work in Europe on some historical Loopers, and Vampire, but I would think S&S, Premier, and Vekoma could do some wonders for vintage Arrows, with wheel and machining tech at the clip it currently is. Obviously the Big One is being retracted piece mail as well.

I guess the Reimagined Loch Ness will be the flag bearer.

I guess the mine trains don't exert that much stress. So they have been untouched, but I am curious if Runaway Mine Train has ever been X-rayed? I would think Gemini has a bit more stress than your average mine train, and I guess the next question would be how long Viper, Ninja, and Anaconda last, although Anaconda was riding pretty damn well last year when I rode it.

Retracking B&Ms prob seems ridiculous to Management much like reworking an existing Walmart building or a Mall.

Sharpel007:

the Big One is being retracted

Sharpel007:

With Loch Ness just now getting re-tracked, has another American Steel Coaster (Non-Disney) been re-tracked?

In theory, Montezooma's Revenge.

In practice, probably not :)

The sections of Phantom's Revenge that remained from the original Steel Phantom were retracked several years after the ride opened in its current form.

Incredible Hulk at Universal Florida was rebuilt from the ground up.

Several sections of track were removed from Shockwave at SFOT a few years ago and were rewelded. It seems like the park said it was part of a plan to do the same with the whole track, but I don't know if it's happened again since then.