Runaway Mine Train (Alton Towers)

Infobox roller coaster
name=Runaway Mine Train


caption=
location=Alton Towers
section=Katanga Canyon
type=Steel
type2=Powered
type3=Mine Train
status=Open
opened=1992
manufacturer=MACK Rides
designer=John Wardley
model=Powered Coaster
track=steel
lift=powered hot rail
height=68
drop=62
length=1000
speed=22.4
inversions=0
duration=1:50
angle=29
capacity=1,100
cost=£3,000,000
acceleration=
gforce=2.4
rcdb_number=800The Runaway Mine Train is a powered steel roller coaster made by MACK Rides of Germany. The ride is located in the Katanga Canyon area of Alton Towers in Staffordshire, England.

The train normally makes two circuits for each ride. On quiet days, however, it has been known to run for three or more circuits. The ride runs alongside the "Congo River Rapids". Passengers must be at least 36 inches tall to ride with an adult, and over 42 inches tall to ride separately.

On July 20,2006 the failure of a coupling on the train split it into two sections, which then collided in the tunnel. 20 people were injured, 6 of which were taken to hospital, 4 of the 6 were sent home, 2 were kept over night. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/5198728.stm|title=Dozens hurt on Alton Towers ride|date=2006-07-20|accessdate=2008-02-07|publisher=BBC News Online]

On April 6,2007 the "Runaway Mine Train" reopened after being closed for over 8 months. However the train was not returned to its full length until the end of June 2007, as some of the carriages were still undergoing refurbishment at MACK Rides. [cite web |url=http://www.towersalmanac.com/index.php?show_story=306 |title=Runaway Mine Train Reopens |publisher=Alton Towers Almanac |date=2007-04-06 |accessdate=2007-04-10]

References

External links

* [http://www.towersalmanac.com/areas/rides.php?id=21 Runaway Mine Train at Alton Towers Almanac]
* [http://www.towersnerd.com/tour/katangacanyon/rmt/ Runaway Mine Train at Towers Nerd]
* [http://www.alton-towers.net/rideguide/ride.php?ride=49 Runaway Mine Train on Alton Towers Net]
* [http://www.themeparkjunkies.co.uk/index.php?act=parkguide&rgp=1&ride=49&park=4 Runaway Mine Train data on Theme Park Junkies]