Parc Asterix 2013 changes

[peep]

So I stumbled on to a forum topic the other day to find out that PotionMagix is going again (pretty sure it closed?) and they've been posting a ridiculous amount of closed season updates. Sounds like the management are spending lots of money on the park making it all work and look pretty. Sounds like we could also be seeing some new attractions in the next few years.

So, where to begin with this update? How about the new entrance turnstiles/area revamp? Not much to talk about here really apart from what I'm assuming is a new disabled guests entrance building and the turnstiles being updated to the ones at Merlin parks.

The little boat ride that goes around the Gaul village which has been dead for a couple of years is getting a complete overhaul and is due to reopen this year (I think someone said May).

Goudurix is getting some track improvements/overhaul, I can't tell if there's much difference from looking at it but they did cover it in a lot of scaffolding.

OzIris is getting water fountains added to the little bit of water in front of the station building, looking forward to seeing how this looks when finished.

The wave swinger, Hydra and Grand Splatch are all getting new components in regards to operations. Apparently for Hydra this will mean a more improved ride experience.

Hydra:

Wave Swinger:

Grand Splatch:

New shop near OzIris:

Updated toilets in the Medieval area:

So yeah, I know for most it's not the most exciting of updates but I thought it was interesting that they're clearly starting to look after the park and invest in areas that they really need to. Oh and they managed to bring the opening of the park FORWARD by two weeks, Merlin could learn a thing or two from them lol

 

[Dar]

Goudurix is getting retracked there! But rather than do it normally, like take bits out and replace them, they are cutting and bending the existing track. I kid you not.

Over the years, a coaster track deforms and this phenomenon causes mechanical problems on trains and / or problems of passenger comfort. There may also be problems in the design of the track, which over time get worse. Goudurix knows these two problems, and thus, after 23 seasons of operation, the Vekoma engineers will attempt a retracking ...

So what is a retracking? And why did this happen?
First, the circuit design, it is a known problem in some parts of the track or cornering too sharp turs.In the time, the tracks deforms slightly, which changes the behavior of the train. The rails were scraped to remove all blisters in 2009, but this has not had much effect on a possible reduction of the vibrations of trains. Side wheels more "stuck" to the rails are being tested since 2011, but it is not enough especially with the current state of the track, we can not really stick to the rails if the process may crash. The mandatory change of all chassis in 2010 exacerbated the problem because they are heavier, the forces exerted on the track and the passengers are worse than before. The only way to try to resolve this problem, is to rework tracks from the problematic track... It is the retracking ... 99.99% and it is for this winter!

The latest measures G-forces felt by passengers carried with TUV showed that reached the legal limit. It's been two years that the park harass Vekoma to find a solution, they finally came, it was in December 2012, they took action ...


And now? Here is the potential program for the coming weeks ...

1) Draining the lake water level to the foundation of Goudurix (1week)
2) Installation of two huge scaffolding to the second loop and the butterfly (2 weeks)
3) retracking track on these three loops more or less red (1 week)
4) To March 18 trains are back and the first tests will be done with Vekoma
5) If the tests are not good, more retracking and risk of delayed opening

- Scaffolding will be designed so that the tests can take place without the need to disassemble. In addition, being very heavy, in theory they can not be placed on the tarp at the bottom of the lake itself is based on the natural source from below, so they should build on the foundation pillars of the coaster.

- The technique for retracking is to cut the ties, rails replace or force them to take another form, then resolder the sleepers

Quote and pictures also from potionmagix.

Pedro on TowersStreet says that the butterfly will be done next year.

As I said on TST, I can't see this working at all.

 

[furie]

OMG! I've never seen turd polishing in action before - that's actually really (goonily) interesting, thanks for posting

 

[Nemesis Inferno]

The wave swinger, Hydra and Grand Splatch are all getting new components in regards to operations. Apparently for Hydra this will mean a more improved ride experience.

Seriously, that's the best news of the year...

 

[spicy]

That was actually really interesting, is this a new technique or has it been tried before?

 

[Dar]

I don't think it's been attempted before, correct me if I'm wrong?

I can't really think of anybody...I want to say "crazy"...enough to bother. It looks like a lot of hard graft for not much payoff to me.

I've not ridden Goudurix yet, but I can't see this actually doing anything worthwhile?

 

[marc]

I liked the coaster last year until my 2nd go when I felt the pain.

It's a good coaster with a good layout so it's worth doing this work.

 

[peep]

Ah, didn't see that lot, thanks for posting that as it makes a bit more sense now. I really hope it improves the ride experience because apart from those kinks it's a great ride imo.

 

[marc]

It's the best coaster in the park, it's the only one that actually gave me a thrill and I wanted to ride again.

Just wish I had not lol.

 

[kimahri]

I think Goudurix is the only coaster I've been on that could make an audible crunch in my bones...

 

[marc]

Lol I remember you saying

 

[Screaming Coasters]

So tie cutting is cheaper than just replacing track? Cool..

 

[Martyn B]

Replacing the trains would be a good place to start!

 

[rollermonkey]

That was actually really interesting, is this a new technique or has it been tried before?

Yes, this has been done before. This kind of modification occurred on the S&S Thrust Air near Guangzhou before it opened. (And was discussed on this board.) It has also happened on some of the older Arrow loopers to extend the operating lifespan.

Normally, when this happens, a park keeps it on the downlow, because they don't want people to know that the tracks are slowly 'falling apart'.