Thirty minutes wait from this point.

[kaliha]

I was rather saddened to see on the telly this morning the last few people ever riding on the Corkscrew at Alton Towers.

I first went on that rollercoaster back when I was 13, (so that was years ago), on a school trip. having never been on a rollercoaster that went upside down before I thought it was the best thing ever, although my best friend at the time did manage to lose her purse on her first loop.

It was the first rollercoaster my parents ever went on as a married couple. It's always been one of my mum's favourite rides (other than the Black Revolver at Drayton Manor).

It's a shame that the Corkscrew, like the Black Hole and the Mousetrap before it, have no place in a modern theme park. I admit that I have been stuck on all three of those rides when they broke down over the years, something which you tend not to get on your Nemesis's and your Air's, but that's not the point, part of the fun was the fact they'd got really ricketty and clunky, it gives you that added frisson of 'oh shite' when the ride suddenly becomes more juddery.

I wonder what it'll do to Alton Towers as a 'brand' though. The Corkscrew is Alton Towers' most famous ride, not Nemesis or Oblivion and certainly not Hex (although I think that's gone now too). What will they replace it with that's as iconic?

Comments

[th-esaurus.livejournal.com]

): I didn't know they were getting rid of it! I won't miss it as an experience - I am terrified of old or wooden rollercoasters, as I'm a safety freak on my beloved coasters - but I shall miss it as an icon ):

First looping coaster I went on with my Dad <3

[miss-s-b.livejournal.com]

Come up here and we'll take you to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. A couple of the coasters there have been going since the 1920s, and they have a 1950s wooden Wild Mouse that scares the living shite out of even me.

[deadflowerss.livejournal.com]

part of the fun was the fact they'd got really ricketty and clunky

I agree.Like the Cat and Mouse,and the Steeple Chase at Blackpool pleasure beach.In-fact I really did feel like I was going to die on the Steeple Chase...

[flipbfc.livejournal.com]

I was gutted when I saw it was going. It and the black hole were fantastic.

[i-like-doctors.livejournal.com]

I went on the Corkscrew for the last time a fortnight ago. It was very sad indeed. :( I was sad when the Black Hole went also.
I disagree that the newer rides aren't iconic, though... Nemesis is iconic in my eyes. It's the best AT ride ever :)
And Hex is still there.. and it still sucks... lol. Everyone just goes on it when it's raining so that they can be inside for a bit. Haha.
xxx