Enclosing Snake in the Grass?

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Enclosing Snake in the Grass?

jo · Enigmatic Expert

how effective would the soundproofing be on an enclosure over the SITG and would it be basically a rectangle placed over the top?

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Well, that all depends on what they would choose to build?

Josh · Passionate about Pleasurewood

I think that Snake in the Grass is beyond its years. I would rather a new junior coaster rather than updating it.

coolskin · Passionate about Pleasurewood

i could hear this ride all day today in my front and back garden...it really is loud

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

I dunno Josh... Like Enigma, it could be worth spending the money to ensure the ride has a future?

Obviously they still need a proper kiddy coaster though.

Josh · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Like hobo said, they can't move it as it would be near impossible to put it back together. That says to me that it really is nearly time to look at updating it. I would love it to be restored somehow but I feel something new would be a better investment. I wouldn't have thought it could go on much longer it is almost 30 years old itself!

MattyH · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Yes, Snake in the Grass still serves a point, and IMO, if it can still operate fine, then any modifications could be well spent PROVIDING that the ride wasn't then taken down/ out of service after a year or two.

jo · Enigmatic Expert

Josh wrote:
t would be near impossible to put it back together.

how come?

MattyH · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Ben explained this to me, the metal has warped on it so that if it was taken apart, it wouldn't go back together.

jo · Enigmatic Expert

hobohippie95 wrote:
Ben explained this to me, the metal has warped on it so that if it was taken apart, it wouldn't go back together.

ahhh, so it's stay there + renovate or be demolished basically

Can a whole ride (not taken apart) be lifted onto some sort of transport and moved or is that not even possible?

mrbrightside · Exceptionally Expressive

Not possible with something of this size...

Leon · Serious Squawker

Is it not a teeny bit worrying that it hasn't been taken apart in years or ever?!
I was under the impression all coasters, during the winter period, are to be taken apart an inspected for fatigue or cracking; undergoing various testing to ensure they are safe for the visiting public.

I'm guessing this just gets the odd walk-on inspection, but it does seem a little strange that it's never been taken apart...
Having said that, I think they could do worse that either go with some sort of new, cool theming (that Rainforest-style cafe thing looks awesome, Martyn) or wether it would be a good move to scrap it and redevelop the land their slightly for a slightly better junior coaster or something a little bigger.

It has served it's time incredibly well though.. I remember the days when it was the 'Ladybird'! :P

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Going by some article in the local press a while back, it was removed to help reduce the noise levels. Now the tunnel doesn't crest the hill, I would imagine there is less of an echo.

-- Edited by Martyn on Monday 1st of April 2013 08:48:30 PM

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

I was under the impression all coasters, during the winter period, are to be taken apart an inspected for fatigue or cracking

They are inspected, but I dont think they're taken apart.

Josh · Passionate about Pleasurewood

No I believe them to be thoroughly inspected and replacement of bolts is common but I don't think they are ever taken apart. The trains are more likely to be taken apart as failure in the trains mechanism
Is more likely than the track.

MattyH · Passionate about Pleasurewood

I think SITG will continue to run until it has a massive failiure when it will not be financially viable to repair it.,

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

I dont think the current management want to have rides that they're runnining into the ground as such. Hence why they're doing up Enigma.

Josh · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Did we ever find out why the fibreglass tunnel was removed?

Josh · Passionate about Pleasurewood

This is what I would hope to eventually replace SITG. After all if it's good enough for Michael Douglas and his welsh woman...

http://www.vekoma.com/index.php/family-coasters/family-coaster

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

They are quite good actually, pretty forcefull in places for a family coaster.

And MUCH quieter than SitG!

jo · Enigmatic Expert

does enclosing a ride make it more difficult to maintain + look out for health +safety issues?

mrbrightside · Exceptionally Expressive

Not at all. Any indoor attraction will have safety lights that can be turned on in an emergency for evacuations or for maintenance and inspections. The ride wouldn't be in the dark all the time and any enclosed ride is obviously protected from the weather!

As for the suggestion about all rides being dismantled for maintenance, that is a highly unlikely thing to happen with any roller coaster. Can you imagine Alton just taking apart Nemesis or Thorpe dismantling Stealth?

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

It is VERY unlikely, but it does happen. In fact, this year was the first year I've known it to happen, at Light.water Valley.

mrbrightside · Exceptionally Expressive

Aye, but that was with a more travelling type ride was it not?

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

Yeah of course. And even still, I found it very odd.

jskinner97 · Jolly Talkative

I have to admit, Snake in the grass is still a huge "People Puller". It's pretty unique, Sure it isn't anywhere near "modern" anymore... But it has that nostalgic feel, and young and old love it. It'd be great to add more theming. An indoor theme would be a good idea! (But then we wouldn't have the leaves to pick off the trees anymore haha!)

Martyn · Passionate about Pleasurewood

I wouldn't say it's unique (I've been on about 6 identicle versions), but it definitely is a family favourite at PWH. Like you say, kids love it, and adults enjoy it too, as they remember it from their childhood.

It definitely shouldn't go, but it does a lot of money spent on it. I think it's ok mechanically (though the train appears to be knackered...), it's mainly the cosmetics that need improving.

coolskin · Passionate about Pleasurewood

We use to love sitting at the park and releasing the lap bar as we went round. lol

Bubbles · Passionate about Pleasurewood

I doubt there is anything wrong with the structure, it's been up so long. It just gets flooded under entrance tunnel.
Eveything else is fine, although it doesn't always run in wet weather (I think the wheels struggle to get a grip and it can't pull the train up that first bit)

I remember when it had lights flashing in the tunnel, always missed them.

Also I know it was a ladybird before but didn't it take a Racing car theme before being a snake?
I also remember the old que line with the clear plastic panels between the public and train, so everyone qued up in front of each 'car' prior to it's arrival than the one made dash for seats.

Anyway, id be sad to see it go, it's always been popular for some reason, I guess it's because anyone can ride it and it's good fun.

(that end of the park really needs a re-vamp. Other than the Snake coaster there's not much there)