The Corkscrew

[Cheryl]

I've just learnt that the Corkscrew at Alton Towers is being replaced.

I don't know if this ride is 'heritage' enough to be thought about for Dreamland. I know it was one of the first if not the first coaster of its type here in the UK.

There is of course, the problem of finance if it was available anyway. What would people think if such a ride was acquired for Dreamland, good or bad? Personally, I would love it.

[uvegotmale2000]

Wow,that roller coaster has been there since the year dot.am very surprised if alton towers do get rid of this coaster,its part and parcel of alton towers

[porf]

It's definitely off : http://press.altontowers.com/newscontent.asp?newsid=143

Personally I think it'd be a great fit for Margate as it's similarly iconic as the Looping Star was to most people. Last time it got a reasonable overhaul (8 years ago perhaps) it ran quite nicely for a bit - not so good last time I rode it though.

Don't know whether it's affordable enough or if there's space for it though?

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

Well, a ride like this may have still had some monetary value. It needs to be determined if the ride was sold, or if it's being scrapped. If it's going to simply be dismantled, then contacts need to be made to secure it.
It's a nice compact design and it's not overly wild, making it a nice addition for Dreamland's family oriented theme.
Although not terribly old, it's historically significant and Dreamland will hopefully become a repository for unwanted rides which still have a lot of joy to offer.
Coasters won't come up all that often, so grabbing them when they do is important.
Relocation and storage all cost, but if it can be done, the team here will find a way.

[DN]

Shame, but i cant see them selling it on, i tink it may get destroyed


I tink it woud be a great fit in Dreamland, maybe in the space that the great LOOPING STAR had in the left corner near the trees. It is an iconic ride.

Now, if we can get our hands on a WEBER TRAUM BOOT (Mary Rose) too !

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

Rather than be dismayed, why don't you take it upon yourself to inquire about it?
Most parks have public relations people.

Send a nice note (compose in Word or spell check it) inquiring about it and ask if the people in charge could contact you or the Save Dreamland Campaign to consider securing the ride for Dreamland.
Dismantling may not cost much more than demolition.

Even though I'm half way around the world, maybe I'll just go ahead and do it.

[DaveD]

A ride, with such national prominence such as this, would give real credance to a Heritage Park.

To be taken seriously by the tabloid media, you need something that would make serious attention nationwide and this surely is it.

Every park needs a focus point and this was revolutionary for its time - every possible effort should be made to procure it for Dreamland - what else could do it?


Dave D

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

OK, I couldn't find an e-mail address, but I did find the telephone number.
It will be difficult for me to call due to the extreme time difference, but here's the number in case one of you would like to talk to someone.

Seriously, it all starts with a phone call. The worst that can happen is they can say, "We're sorry, it's already spoken for."

Park Switchboard 0871 222 9910 For business inquiries only.

I've sent plenty of actual paper letters and e-mails to the Thanet council from here in California, so one of you locals can pick up the ball on this. I would do something before much longer. They may want to remove it before winter to make way for whatever's going in it's place.

[dave771]

Im sure that Nick probably has contacts at Alton Towers so contacting them is not a problem. Can I just point out that we do not own the site and it is not our decision as to what rides are secured for the proposed Heritage Park. Rides that have been secured for the park so far have been done by working alongside the parks owners and they would be consulted if the Corkscrew was to be an addition to the park in the future.

Dave

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

Well, can you pass this discussion on to Nick or Sarah?
This could be a juicy addition. 2 full sized coasters right off the bat would be a real bonus.

[Marky66]

I shouldnt be surprised so many people have the same idea as me about the Corky.
Firstly I cannot believe AT are removing it, the Corky is THE ride that made the place famous, the ride that first took me there back in the early 80s as a small child, it's an important part of their history. Removing it is like Blackpool destroying the Nash. It's also handy that with a 1.2mtr height restriction many kids get their first go on an inverted steelie.
The Corky is the ride that started the theme park revoloution in the UK and I cannot think of anything that better suits a heritage park and these rides are dissapearing fast all over the world, old boneshakers they maybe but I still love them!

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

Yup, this is classic a Arrow Dynamics coaster at its best.

[Marky66]

It certainly is a classic, but a Vekoma classic (that's not a phrase often heard these days, normanly after Vekoma you just hear 'ouch')
There is one more UK Verkoma Corkscrew still operating at FlamingoLand.

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

Oh, I thought Arrow had the monopoly on those. They were building them like crazy over here in the late 1970s.
I guess it makes sense that a European maker would be building major rides in Europe.... Da!
However, after reviewing the photos again, I had suspected that the design had been licensed from Arrow, then I found this tidbit on the Alton Towers site:

Notes to editors:
First Installed 1980
Opening Date 4th April 1980
Location Ug Land
Cost £1.25 million
Manufacturer Vekoma
Designer Arrow Dynamics
Weight 350 tonnes
Track Length 728 meters
Height Of Drop 23 meters
Maximum Speed 44 mph (70 km/h)
Maximum G Force 3.1 G
Ride Duration Approx. 1 minute, 45 seconds
Capacity 24 per train
Throughput 43,449,840 people
Total Cycles 1,810,410
Distance Traveled 1,317,978.48 Kilometers/ 818,953.31 Miles
Seating Arrangement 2 trains, 6 cars per train, 2 row per car, 2 seats per row
Restraint Type Shoulder restraints
Height Restriction 1.2 meters

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

It's open until November. Someone better get on the phone and find out what they're doing with her.