Corkscrew (Alton Towers)

Corkscrew General [[File:|link=|center]] ' ' Park Alton Towers Location Alton, Staffordshire, England, UK Status Defunct Operated Operated April 4, 1980 - November 9, 2008 Opened April 4, 1980 Opening Cost £1,250,000 Height restriction Statistics Manufacturer Vekoma Builder Designer Type Steel- Sit-Down Type Model Corkscrew with Bayerncurve Riders per train 24 Riders per hour 1100 Lift/launch system Chain Lift Height 75 feet Drop 68 feet Top speed 40 mph Length 2,400 feet Dimensions feet x feet Duration 1:15 Inversions 2 Steepest drop 43 degrees Maximum g-force 3.1G

Corkscrew was a steel sit-down roller coaster located in the Ug Land (now Dark Forest) area of Alton Towers in Staffordshire, England, UK. It was built by Vekoma and was the first full-circuit roller coaster in the United Kingdom with two inversions, and the first major attraction at the park.

History

Corkscrew opened on April 4, 1980, to much publicity. It was the first roller coaster at the park, and one of the first steel roller coasters in the UK. During the first few months of operation, 5-6 hour waits were not uncommon, often forcing the park to close early to avoid being swamped by guests. In 1999, the ride was re-themed to fit in with the prehistoric theme of Ug Land.

Over the years, the ride became notoriously rough, and even the investment of new Vekoma trains in the mid-nineties didn't solve the issue. In 2008, Alton Towers confirmed they were dismantling the Corkscrew to make way for the 2010 roller coaster Thirteen (then named Secret Weapon 6). The park held a special event in honour of its oldest attraction on November 9, 2008, on which day, the Corkscrew completed the final circuit of its 2,400 feet long track.

When the Corkscrew was taken down, the double corkscrew inversions where kept. They were repainted purple with gold supports, and now stand at the front of the park, with a plaque to honor the ride. The front car from one of the trains was put on eBay to raise money for charity, and sold on December 15, 2008 for £7,200. The rest of the trains were sent to Heide Park for their Big Loop roller coaster, and the rest of the ride was scrapped.

Design

Elements •Double Corkscrew

• Corkscrew had two trains, one of These could be stored on the transfer track when not in use.
• The 'Bayerncurve' was a bit like a helix and was located after the second drop and before the double corkscrew.

Photo Gallery

The Corkscrew, honoured at the park entrance

The start of the double-corkscrew element.