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John Wardley confirms SW5

Ride designer John Wardley has recently confirmed several details about Alton Towers' currently under construction roller coaster.

The new coaster has, as suspected, been designed by John Wardley and Bolliger and Mabillard, designers of both Nemesis and Oblivion. The ride is to be situated in the lower end of Forbidden Valley, and will be slightly taller than Nemesis at its highest point.

The ride has been in the design process now for six (yes, six!) years. It was originally planned to be constructed as SW4, but due to a few problems, Oblivion was built instead, as it was a relatively easy design.

Want to know what it is?

Well, John Wardley also confirmed that the coaster is a Flying Coaster, where the riders are hung below the tracks, similar to Nemesis, but in a lying down position rather than sitting. The only other similar ride is the Vekoma Flying Dutchman, although some distinct differences are likely to be seen once the ride opens in 2002.

John was also questioned about the possibility of Alton Towers receiving a Wooden Roller Coaster, and although he would like to build one in the park, noise complaints make this unlikely.

John Wardley was addressing the Annual General Meeting of the European Coaster Club at Chessington World of Adventures.

Thanks to John Livesey, ECC member and webmaster of Coaster Central for this information.