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{{Short description|Removed log flume water ride}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2015}}
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| location = Alton Towers
| location = Alton Towers
| section = Mutiny Bay
| section = Mutiny Bay
| status = closed
| status = Removed
| cost =
| cost =
| opened = {{Start date|1981}}
| opened = {{Start date|1981}}
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| capacity = 1,400
| capacity = 1,400
<!--Use only one of vehicles, rows, participants, or audience-->
<!--Use only one of vehicles, rows, participants, or audience-->
| vehicle_type = Boat/Bath Tub
| vehicle_type = Boat
| boats = 35
| boats = 35
| riders_per_row = 1
| riders_per_row = 1
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}}
}}


'''The Flume''' was a [[log ride|Log Flume]] at [[Alton Towers]] in [[Staffordshire]]. It opened in 1981 and was rethemed in 2004 coinciding with its sponsorship by [[Imperial Leather]]. The ride was a bath time themed log flume with three drops. It was the longest log flume attraction in the world at the time of opening. The attraction closed in 2015 and was removed a year later for the area's redevelopment into the [[Wicker Man (roller coaster)|Wicker Man]] rollercoaster.
'''The Flume''' was a [[log ride|Log Flume]] at [[Alton Towers]] in [[Staffordshire]]. It opened in 1981 and was rethemed in 2004 coinciding with its sponsorship by [[Imperial Leather]]. The ride was a bath time themed log flume with three drops. It was the longest log flume attraction in the world at the time of opening. The attraction closed in 2015 and was replaced by the [[Wicker Man (roller coaster)|Wicker Man]] rollercoaster.


==Ride Experience==
==Ride experience==
The ride was about 6 minutes long and starts by loading in the circular station. Once the 'bath' had dispatched from the station it went round a few turns and up to the first lift hill. The car then dropped down a small drop and turned around the woodland until it came to the second lift hill which was enclosed in a hut-style building & a drop which was in the dark. At the bottom there was a giant rubber duck that you go past. The ride then wound around the woodland again and then went 86ft up a lift hill and then dropped 85ft down a drop into some brakes. Finally the 'bath' went through two showers and back into the station.
The ride was approximately six minutes long and began with the loading of passengers into the boats, which had a maximum capacity of five. The boarding took place in a moving, circular station. Once the boat dispatched from the station, it took several turns through woodland and then travelled up to the first lift hill. The boat was then dropped down a small drop to gain some height, turning around the woodland until it came to the second lift hill, which was enclosed in a darkened hut, followed by a 'blind' drop. Following the Imperial Leather sponsorship, a shower sprinkler and riders were met with a giant rubber duck statue. The ride then traveled through more woodland before embarking up a 86ft lift hill, then swiftly dropping riders 85ft where riders were usually soaked with water. The boats then travelled through two shower sprinklers before returning to the station.


==History==
==History==
In 1980, Alton Towers opened the ride [[Corkscrew (Alton Towers)|Corkscrew]] along with a few other amusement attractions. Alton Towers gained popularity so for the 1981 season they decided to open a [[Log ride|log flume]]. Construction started in late 1980 to open the ride for the 1981 season.{{Citation needed|date=December 2015}} the park's first major scale engineering project including purpose built reservoir sunk into a former field. The 5.5-acre site was bordered on two sides by the Park Railway. initially access to the new ride was via a railway bridge over the tracks, by 1982 the Railway had been shortened to allow easier access for the popular new ride. <ref name="towersstreet.com">{{cite web|url=https://towersstreet.com/theme-park/ride/the-flume/|title=The Flume - The Park of the Past - Your premier Alton Towers guide|website=towersstreet.com}}</ref>
In 1980, Alton Towers opened the ride [[Corkscrew (Alton Towers)|Corkscrew]] along with a few other amusement attractions. Alton Towers gained popularity so for the 1981 season they decided to open a [[Log ride|log flume]]. Construction started in late 1980 to open the ride for the 1981 season.{{Citation needed|date=December 2015}} the park's first major scale engineering project including purpose built reservoir sunk into a former field. The 5.5-acre site was bordered on two sides by the Park Railway. initially access to the new ride was via a railway bridge over the tracks, by 1982 the Railway had been shortened to allow easier access for the popular new ride.<ref name="towersstreet.com">{{cite web|url=https://towersstreet.com/theme-park/ride/the-flume/|title=The Flume - The Park of the Past - Your premier Alton Towers guide|website=towersstreet.com}}</ref>


In 1981 the 'White Water Flume' opened to the public as the world's longest log flume with its 2600-foot waterway themed around the Canadian Falls; by 1983 the ride had acquired its traditional and more popular name of 'The Log Flume' and for the next 23 years operated as such. Between 1984 and 1995 it also featured props from 'Dinosaur Land' which had been closed the previous season to make way for The Black Hole, including a prehistoric family inside the tunnel section of the flume.<ref name="towersstreet.com"/>
In 1981, the 'White Water Flume' opened to the public as the world's longest log flume with its {{convert|2600|ft|m|abbr=off|adj=on}} waterway themed around the Canadian Falls; by 1983 the ride had acquired its traditional and more popular name of 'The Log Flume' and for the next 23 years operated as such. Between 1984 and 1995 it also featured props from 'Dinosaur Land' which had been closed the previous season to make way for The Black Hole, including a prehistoric family inside the tunnel section of the flume.<ref name="towersstreet.com"/>
⚫
In 2004 the ride was re-themed to 'The Flume' with a bath theme, as sponsored by a soap manufacturer; new 'bath' boats replacing the logs, new lining, maintenance, a refurbished station, a yellow duck, shower and other bath-time theming. In 2008, the area in which the ride operated was re-themed to Mutiny Bay, however the ride retained its bath time theme.


⚫
In 2003, Alton Towers approached WGH Transportation Ltd to supply new boats for the new 2004 season, and the ride was going to the rethemed and renamed to 'The Flume' with a bath theme, as sponsored by the soap manufacturer, Imperial Leather. Stuart:Pease of Rotherham<ref>https://www.stuartpease.co.uk/projects/leisure-rides</ref> was the contractor used to produce 35 new 'bath' boats replacing the logs for a cost of £282,580.A new lining, maintenance, a refurbished station, a yellow duck, shower and other bath-time theming was introduced for the new theming. In 2008, the area in which the ride operated was re-themed to Mutiny Bay, however the ride retained its bath time theme.
⚫
Weeks before the beginning of the 2016 season, Alton Towers announced that the ride was to be closed permanently.<ref>[http://riderater.co.uk/5679/alton-towers-retires-flume-water-ride/ Alton Towers retires Flume water ride] - Ride Rater - UK Theme Park News</ref> On March 16, 2016, the park posted a photo through their Towers Loving Care [[Twitter]] page of a sign on the perimeter of the former area of the attraction that reads "SW8. Ground breaking new ride development",<ref>[https://mobile.twitter.com/AltonTLC/status/710167887642763265] - Towers Loving Care Twitter page</ref> marking the construction site for the resort's next large investment [[SW8 (roller coaster)|SW8]].


⚫
Weeks before the beginning of the 2016 season, Alton Towers announced that the ride was to be closed permanently.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://riderater.co.uk/5679/alton-towers-retires-flume-water-ride/|title=Alton Towers retires Flume water ride |website=riderater.co.uk|date=26 February 2016}}</ref> On 16 March 2016, the park posted a photo through their Towers Loving Care [[Twitter]] page of a sign on the perimeter of the former area of the attraction that reads "SW8. Ground breaking new ride development",<ref>[https://mobile.twitter.com/AltonTLC/status/710167887642763265 Towers Loving Care Twitter page]</ref> marking the construction site for the resort's next large investment [[Wicker Man (roller coaster)|SW8]].
⚫
After the ride's closure and during the construction of SW8, the resort held charity auctions with lots containing a variety of items from The Flume. This included various queue line and warning signage, as well as the ride boats.

⚫
After the ride's closure and during the construction of Wicker Man, the resort held charity auctions with lots containing a variety of items from The Flume. This included various queue line and warning signage, as well as the ride boats.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chamberlin |first1=Zoe |title=The Alton Towers log flume is up for sale on eBay - if you fancy grabbing a bargain boat |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/alton-towers-log-flume-ebay-13583700 |accessdate=24 October 2019 |work=Manchester Evening News |date=6 Sep 2017}}</ref>


==Media gallery==
==Media gallery==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/attractions/mb/flume.htm http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/attractions/mb/flume.htm at the Towers Times website]
* [http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/attractions/mb/flume.htm old.towerstimes.co.uk attractions at the Towers Times website]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmINBVJdX70&feature=fvst Clips of old Log Flume ride]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmINBVJdX70&feature=fvst Clips of old Log Flume ride]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4hBdDBKYsM Youtube clip of the Log Flume (retheme as bath tubs)]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4hBdDBKYsM Youtube clip of the Log Flume (retheme as bath tubs)]
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[[Category:Amusement rides that closed in 2015]]
[[Category:Amusement rides that closed in 2015]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures demolished in 2016]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures demolished in 2016]]
[[Category:Demolished buildings and structures in England]]
[[Category:Demolished buildings and structures in Staffordshire]]

Revision as of 22:57, 20 June 2024

The Flume
Alton Towers
AreaMutiny Bay
Coordinates52°59′20″N 1°53′20″W / 52.988995°N 1.888847°W / 52.988995; -1.888847
StatusRemoved
Opening date1981 (1981)
Closing date10 October 2015 (2015-10-10)
Replaced byWicker Man
General statistics
TypeLog flume
ManufacturerMack Rides
Height27 m (89 ft)
Drop26 m (85 ft)
Length886 m (2,907 ft)
Speed45 km/h (28 mph)
Capacity1,400 riders per hour
Duration6 minutes
Vehicle typeBoat
Boats35 boats. Riders are arranged 1 across in 5 rows for a total of 5 riders per boat.
Height restriction100 cm (3 ft 3 in)
Site area5 1/2 acres
Must transfer from wheelchair

The Flume was a Log Flume at Alton Towers in Staffordshire. It opened in 1981 and was rethemed in 2004 coinciding with its sponsorship by Imperial Leather. The ride was a bath time themed log flume with three drops. It was the longest log flume attraction in the world at the time of opening. The attraction closed in 2015 and was replaced by the Wicker Man rollercoaster.

Ride experience

The ride was approximately six minutes long and began with the loading of passengers into the boats, which had a maximum capacity of five. The boarding took place in a moving, circular station. Once the boat dispatched from the station, it took several turns through woodland and then travelled up to the first lift hill. The boat was then dropped down a small drop to gain some height, turning around the woodland until it came to the second lift hill, which was enclosed in a darkened hut, followed by a 'blind' drop. Following the Imperial Leather sponsorship, a shower sprinkler and riders were met with a giant rubber duck statue. The ride then traveled through more woodland before embarking up a 86ft lift hill, then swiftly dropping riders 85ft where riders were usually soaked with water. The boats then travelled through two shower sprinklers before returning to the station.

History

In 1980, Alton Towers opened the ride Corkscrew along with a few other amusement attractions. Alton Towers gained popularity so for the 1981 season they decided to open a log flume. Construction started in late 1980 to open the ride for the 1981 season.[citation needed] the park's first major scale engineering project including purpose built reservoir sunk into a former field. The 5.5-acre site was bordered on two sides by the Park Railway. initially access to the new ride was via a railway bridge over the tracks, by 1982 the Railway had been shortened to allow easier access for the popular new ride.[1]

In 1981, the 'White Water Flume' opened to the public as the world's longest log flume with its 2,600-foot (790-metre) waterway themed around the Canadian Falls; by 1983 the ride had acquired its traditional and more popular name of 'The Log Flume' and for the next 23 years operated as such. Between 1984 and 1995 it also featured props from 'Dinosaur Land' which had been closed the previous season to make way for The Black Hole, including a prehistoric family inside the tunnel section of the flume.[1]

In 2003, Alton Towers approached WGH Transportation Ltd to supply new boats for the new 2004 season, and the ride was going to the rethemed and renamed to 'The Flume' with a bath theme, as sponsored by the soap manufacturer, Imperial Leather. Stuart:Pease of Rotherham[2] was the contractor used to produce 35 new 'bath' boats replacing the logs for a cost of £282,580.A new lining, maintenance, a refurbished station, a yellow duck, shower and other bath-time theming was introduced for the new theming. In 2008, the area in which the ride operated was re-themed to Mutiny Bay, however the ride retained its bath time theme.

Weeks before the beginning of the 2016 season, Alton Towers announced that the ride was to be closed permanently.[3] On 16 March 2016, the park posted a photo through their Towers Loving Care Twitter page of a sign on the perimeter of the former area of the attraction that reads "SW8. Ground breaking new ride development",[4] marking the construction site for the resort's next large investment SW8.

After the ride's closure and during the construction of Wicker Man, the resort held charity auctions with lots containing a variety of items from The Flume. This included various queue line and warning signage, as well as the ride boats.[5]

route of The Flume

References

  1. ^ a b "The Flume - The Park of the Past - Your premier Alton Towers guide". towersstreet.com.
  2. ^ https://www.stuartpease.co.uk/projects/leisure-rides
  3. ^ "Alton Towers retires Flume water ride". riderater.co.uk. 26 February 2016.
  4. ^ Towers Loving Care Twitter page
  5. ^ Chamberlin, Zoe (6 September 2017). "The Alton Towers log flume is up for sale on eBay - if you fancy grabbing a bargain boat". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
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