Runaway Mine Train
Alton Towers
LocationAlton Towers
Park sectionKatanga Canyon
Coordinates52°59′23″N 1°53′08″W / 52.989668°N 1.885612°W / 52.989668; -1.885612
StatusOperating
Opening date21 March 1992 (1992-03-21)
Cost£1,000,000
General statistics
TypeSteel Powered Mine Train
ManufacturerMack Rides
ModelPowered Coaster
Track layoutSteel
Lift/launch systemOnboard motors
Height36 ft (11 m)
Drop36 ft (11 m)
Length1,000 ft (300 m)
Speed22.4 mph (36.0 km/h)
Inversions0
Duration1:50 (2 laps)
Max vertical angle29°
Capacity1062 riders per hour
G-force2.4
Height restriction90 cm (2 ft 11 in)
TrainsSingle train with 12 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 48 riders per train.
Fastrack available[1]
Runaway Mine Train at RCDB

The 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, although on quiet days it has been known to run for three or more circuits. On 18 July 2021, the ride ran for 24 consecutive circuits after the park closed.[2] Most passengers were guests, but after several circuits, some of the guests alighted the train, and ride operators from other areas of the park took their places. It is believed to be the record number of times anyone has ever gone around the track without getting off.

The ride runs alongside the Congo River Rapids, with which it shares a tunnel section. Passengers on the two rides occasionally wave to each other if they pass in the shared tunnel. Passengers must be at least 0.9 m tall to ride with an adult, and over 1.1 m tall to ride separately.

As of 2013, it is officially the park's oldest roller coaster, after The Beastie was removed prior to the 2013 season. The runaway mine train gets more intense in the cave area

Incidents

On 20 July 2006, the failure of a coupling on the train caused it to split into two sections, which then collided in the tunnel. 20 people were injured, 6 of whom were taken to a hospital; 4 of the 6 were sent home, and 2 were kept in overnight.[3]

References

  1. "FastTrack Passes". Alton Towers.
  2. {{Citation needed|date={{subst:CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{subst:CURRENTYEAR}}}}
  3. "Dozens hurt on Alton Towers ride". BBC News. 20 July 2006. Retrieved 7 February 2008.
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