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Archive for September, 2008

Exciting developments…

Posted by THORPE PARK on Sep 28, 2008 in Development Diary

Sep 28

 

Sunday 28th September

 

Well…we have been busy since the last update.  Anyone who managed to visit the Park would have been able to see the vast visual impact that this ride will have on the THORPE PARK skyline.

 

We have completed the entire track within the station building and also started to install the steel columns that will ultimately form the station building itself.  But, the most noticeable thing that has been happening on site – the start and completion of the main lift and 100° ‘beyond vertical’ drop!  If you haven’t seen it yet, check out my photos – it’s an awesome sight and is going to be a real adrenaline rush.

 

The lift base was installed on the 18th September, with the 1st section of the tower the next day and the 2nd section arriving and put in place on Thursday (25th).  Anticipation was growing in the whole of the THORPE PARK team; staff members could even be seen viewing the site from Colossus bridge after close!  Yesterday, we installed the pièce de résistance – the top hat.  But, we can’t forget that in conjunction with this, we also completed vertical construction of the main inversion directly after the drop – hint: keep it quiet, but this will make a great photo opportunity when open!

 

This was a great achievement, but again the weather was against us.  The main lift and drop were actually due to be one of the last pieces of track erection!  With wet foundations, we were unable to get full access to the area where a large majority of the track will be placed.  Therefore, the decision was made to switch the two areas around in the schedule, keeping us well on track - no pun intended!

 

Thanks,

 

Keith Workman

 

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First Developer Diary entry!

Posted by THORPE PARK on Sep 12, 2008 in Development Diary

Sep 12

 

Friday 12th September

 

Welcome to what will be the first of many Developer Diary entries.  My name is Keith Workman and I am the Project Manager for THORPE PARK’s latest thrill instalment.

 

The team have been very busy over the last couple of months (I even starred in the 2nd viral video that was leaked out onto the internet…think I should start contract negotiations!).  Monday 30th June, the first contractors were on site to start the groundwork, including levelling the land, stoning (the ground, not each other!) and preparing the area for the piling that would start that week.  You can see the amount of groundwork that had to be carried out from the photos I’ve uploaded - this enables us to give the ride a solid base in order to ‘thrill the pants off you’ when it opens next year!

 

Myself and the Health & Safety Engineering Consultants (HSEC) visited the Gerstlauer factory, just outside Munich, on 18th August to check-in on the track and cars under construction – all was well…if you were wondering!  However, the downpours of rain were ruining the whole country’s summer, and Project Dylan was no exception!  A massive thank-you must go to the main contractors, T.G. Cruse, who by bringing in extra man-power and working weekends ensured we were on schedule and able to start ride erection on Monday (8th September).  Everyone’s dedication to the project combined with an extra piling rig…and any time lost to the weather was gained back and we were ready for the first four lorry loads of track to arrive from Germany.

 

As of last week, the building slab and associated foundations were ready for the ride within the station building to start track erection.  And on Tuesday (9th September) the first ride columns and pieces of station track were in place – a milestone for any rollercoaster.

 

Be sure to check back with me soon…

 

Many thanks,

 

Keith Workman

 

 

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