To continue from our previous article we have put together this useful article to help you understand the proposals for this new world first!
Please note – the plans shown in this article are (C) to Alton Towers and Merlin Entertainments!
The ‘Secret Weapon’
The coaster is the next in a long line of ‘Secret Weapon’ coasters! Previous Secret Weapons include; Nemesis (SW3), Oblivion (SW4), Air (SW5 and Thi3teen (SW6).
Secret Weapon developments tend to incorporate an element that makes the ride different to everything else, or have a world first element! They are mega million pound investments due to the nature of the rides.
This ‘SW’ is believed to have a total budget of £20 million! It will have a unique/world first element. Looking at the plans it is believed that parts of the ride will duel/race.
A still of the ride vehicles dueling taken from a recreation of SW7 - credit goes to 'JAMMYD777'
The proposals
Alton Towers are proposing to build ‘Secret Weapon 7′ in the X-Sector area of the theme park on the former ‘Black Hole’ site. Parts of the ride will take place indoors and there will be launch segments in various parts of the ride. The ‘Black Hole’ tent will be removed to make way for the new coaster.
Layout overview
It will be 65′ft above the ground (which is the same height as the neighboring coaster ‘Oblivion’) and will be approximately 72′ft from the bottom of the pit/ditch to the top of the lift! The layout will also take place beneath ground level in a ditch/valley which will be created to accommodate most of the ride’s layout to make sure parts of the rollercoaster do not exceed tree height and not have much of a visual impact outside the park. Although, this ride will definitely be visible around a few of the surrounding areas.
Some simulations have been created. We have been given permission to use the following images from a recreation to give you a better idea of the scale of the coaster. Credit goes to D J Wells. His new recreation can be found here
The plans also show a rather big station building. It is strongly believed that that parts of the ride will take place indoors.
Parts of the ride will also be visible from outside the park, but it will not have much of a visual impact on the surrounding area.
Theming
Plans for theming have not been released yet but the ride will have two themed interactions in the outdoor layout along with a themed station/event building. Detailed plans regarding theming are to be released at a later date. Although, it is definite that SW7 will be themed to fit in with the futuristic and sinister government facility that is X-Sector!
The picture above pretty much confirms that we will be seeing theming similar to Oblivion.
Manufacturer
(c) Roller Coaster XTREME
The ride will be manufactured by German company ‘Gerstlauer’ who worked on ‘SAW – The ride’ at THORPE PARK. It will be their Eurofighter model, but it does seem that this will be the next generation of the popular model due to there being no vertical drop, a standard lift hill and a different track design is also shown in the plans! The layout does however bare some resemblance to the most recent Eurofighter in Japan’s ‘Fuji – Q Highland’, ‘Takabisha‘. This has caused some disappointment among a few enthusiast because it is not the B&M coaster many were hoping for, but it does incorporate a chaotic and intense layout which has caused a lot of excitement among Alton Towers fans and theme park enthusiasts across the globe!
Investment
Almost a year ago in an article with the General Manager of Alton Towers there was confirmation that SW7 was in development and that it will be the only one of its kind! He mentioned that this project will cost a total of £20 million, thus being the most expensive Merlin and Alton Towers have ever worked on.
However, plans do change over time but if we are seeing a project with a budget this mega we could be seeing some pretty impressive theming along with an innovative gimmick that will make the ride a world first
Conclusion
To sum up this article below is everything that is known about the ride in bullet point format.
- Built by Gerstlauer
- Will be a Eurofighter
- Has an estimated height of 75′ft from the bottom of the lift hill (below ground level) and is 65′ ft above ground level
- Layout will contain launch segments
- Will contain eight or more inversions
- Will contain a dark-ride/indoor section
- Possible new track design
- Final determination date for the plans is 14th February
- Built in X-Sector
- Black Hole tent to be removed for the new coaster
- Opens March 2013.
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