Runaway Mine Train (Alton Towers)
Encyclopedia
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. 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 20 July 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 whom were taken to hospital; 4 of the 6 were sent home, and 2 were kept in overnight.
On 6 April 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.
Steel roller coaster
A steel roller coaster is a roller coaster that is defined by having a track made of steel. Steel coasters have earned immense popularity in the past 50 years throughout the world...
roller coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
made by MACK Rides
MACK Rides
Mack Rides is a German company that designs and constructs roller coasters. The family that owns the company also owns Europa Park.-History:The creation of the Mack company goes back to 1780, by Paul Mack, when he started building carriages. The Mack company started to design roller coasters in 1920....
of Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. The ride is located in the Katanga Canyon area of Alton Towers
Alton Towers
Alton Towers is a theme park and resort located in Staffordshire, England. It attracts around 2.7 million visitors per year making it the most visited theme park in the United Kingdom. Alton Towers is also the 9th most visited theme park in Europe...
in Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
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
Congo River Rapids
Congo River Rapids is a river rafting ride made by Intamin. The ride is located in the Katanga Canyon area of Alton Towers in Staffordshire, England. The rapids course come close to the Runaway Mine Train as it passes through the tunnel, and also features twin waterfalls that the boats pass...
. Passengers must be at least 36 inches tall to ride with an adult, and over 42 inches tall to ride separately.
On 20 July 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 whom were taken to hospital; 4 of the 6 were sent home, and 2 were kept in overnight.
On 6 April 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.