Runaway Mine Train (Alton Towers) Explained

Runaway Mine Train
Location:Alton Towers
Section:Katanga Canyon
Type:Steel
Type2:Powered
Type3:Mine Train
Status:Operating
Manufacturer:Mack Rides
Model:Powered Coaster
Track:Steel
Lift:Onboard motors
Height Ft:36
Drop Ft:36
Length Ft:1000
Speed Mph:22.4
Inversions:0
Duration:1:50 (2 laps)
Angle:29
Capacity:1062
Cost:£1,000,000
Gforce:2.4
Trains:1
Carspertrain:12
Rowspercar:2
Ridersperrow:2
Virtual Queue Name:Fastrack
Virtual Queue Image:AltonTowersFastTrack.svg
Virtual Queue Status:available[1]
Restriction Cm:110
Rcdb Number:800
Coordinates:52.9897°N -1.8856°W

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.

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. In 2024 this was changed to 1.1m and 1.3m

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

Incident

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, six of whom were hospitalised.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FastTrack Passes . Alton Towers.
  2. Web site: Dozens hurt on Alton Towers ride. 20 July 2006. 2008-02-07. BBC News.