Oblivion

[NatDog]

Hi all, for those of you who aren't aware of this, Alton Tower's "Oblivion" is in danger of closing and being dismantled. Check out coasterforce.com

[Gazza]

I hope not, They could try scream guards to make things quieter. The complaint about fireworks is stupid too, It only happens once a year.

[mikrowave]

I think it's more the noise the actual coaster makes, rather than screams, that is the issue. I read that it produces vibrations that affect surrounding houses.

[Gazza]

I think the claims are unfounded, how can a ride 3 miles away produce vibrations in the houses, thats a load of bull. Also, apparently the couple who had the legal battle against AT acutally own a pottery, and people are planning a legal fight against them due to the industrial noise produced by the factory. I hope they lose so they get a taste of their own medicine. I doubt AT will get rid of oblivion, It cost too much and they would try sand filling and malliboomer style scream guards to make things a bit quieter.

[joz]

The track is filled with sand, and is quiet. The drop does face towards the village, so screams are probably the biggest concern here, though I'm not willing to take a stand on vibrations, since I'm no structural engineer and know nothing about subsoil. I would suggest though that a scream guard would go a long way to satisfying the concerns of the locals. Still, judging by the latest these people have set standard and will get some back. All I can say is all of a sudden Alton's local population doesn't seem so bad after all.

[Richard]

Seen how the cars make the fog in the tunnel go crazy as they pass through? A 3 tonne car around 5m wide hitting a hole not much wider would definitely cause vibrations. I don't even doubt that the Ropers could feel it at their home. Having said that, their case is totally off base and I don't think there's any chance it'll go much further. If appeals get turned down (can't see that happening), then Alton Towers would sooner buy them out than dismantle a £7m (AUD$18m) attraction that is also one of their signature attractions. As far as I know, it already uses all the standard noise-dampening techniques already, and scream shields would ruin the ride and I think be totally impractical on a ride like this.

[Nebuchanezzar]

whoa! this is a disaster, Oblivion looks like a pretty sweet ride. Regardless, if it can happen to a roller coaster near a middle of a CBD (Big Dipper @ Luna Park) Im sure it can happen to poor ol Oblivion, it would be crap if it did go though.