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Alton Towers celebrates 30th anniversary of Nemesis
Tuesday 19th March 2024
Alton Towers Resort is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its iconic Nemesis rollercoaster by sharing a treasure trove of unearthed photos documenting its construction three decades ago.

It follows the incredible scenes at the park this weekend when Nemesis Reborn was officially unveiled.

Thousands of fans who had travelled from all corners of the country hailed the extensive makeover of the iconic coaster that first opened on March 19, 1994.

It has seen the entire 250-tonne, 716-metre-long track - with its iconic corkscrews, nerve-shredding drops and four full inversions - replaced.

In addition, new state-of-the-art audio visual technology including a giant blazing eye ringed by razor sharp teeth brings the creature that gives the ride its name vividly to life.

On setting foot in the Resort’s Forbidden Valley visitors are plunged into an unrivalled immersive experience as the giant beast seeks vengeance.

Incredible timelapse footage shared by the Resort today captures the epic scale of the transformation.

To mark today’s milestone anniversary, the honour of being the ride operator for the day has been given to Joe Beasley - who was born on the original opening day of Nemesis. A lifelong Nemesis fan, he joined the Resort in 2014 and has been a ride operator since 2016.

Construction of the original attraction took place at the renowned Staffordshire theme park between 1991 and 1994.

Thousands of tons of rock were excavated to build the ride pit deep into the ground as planning restrictions meant it could not go above the treeline.

The brainchild of celebrated rollercoaster designer John Wardley, during its original incarnation it travelled over 800,000 miles, carrying more than 52 million people.

John, 73, recalled: “The design and build of Nemesis stands as one of my undisputed career highlights.

“I don’t think anyone involved with the project could have predicted how much of a game-changer it would be and how it would be cherished by so many.”

The project to reimagine Nemesis for a new generation was led by John Burton, the Senior Creative Lead at Merlin Magic Making.

He said: “Being entrusted to take John Wardley’s creation and update it for a new generation has been an incredible honour.

“The original Nemesis is an undisputed masterpiece of rollercoaster design.

“With Nemesis Reborn we believe we’ve raised the bar again - and created an utterly-immersive, heart-pounding experience that you can get nowhere else.”

Following the launch of Nemesis Reborn, Alton Towers Resort is giving fans the unprecedented opportunity to have an audience with these two giants of the Nemesis story with the launch of a brand new VIP package.

Expected to sell out swiftly, the unique events featuring both John Wardley and John Burton will take place on May 4th and June 28th.

And, to further mark today’s 30th anniversary, Alton Towers Resort has recreated an iconic photo from the 1994 build.

Originally featuring John Wardley at the top of the ride’s lift hill, the Resort has recreated and released the image with John Burton who has been responsible for re-imagining the ride for 2024 as he takes over the mantle.

Opened in 1994, Nemesis was heralded as Europe’s first ever inverted rollercoaster and became an immediate hit with thrillseekers from around the globe, who were blown away by the combination of its 50mph top speed and its numerous twists and turns with four inversions.

Bianca Sammut, Divisional Director at Alton Towers Resort, said: “It’s been a real thrill to dig deep into the Alton Towers archive and unearth this astonishing collection of images that show how a legend was brought to life.

“The original Nemesis rollercoaster set new standards when it was unveiled to an unsuspecting public back in 1994.

“A monumental engineering achievement of its time, it was a smash hit from the outset, creating a worldwide army of dedicated fans throughout its first thirty years.

“And after unveiling Nemesis Reborn to the world this weekend, we’re equally thrilled to take the wraps off our new VIP package where guests can come face to face with the legendary individuals who have shaped the Nemesis story.”  

Nemesis In Numbers

53 pieces of track

89 columns

Over 2,500 bolts

716 metre track length

250 tonne track weight

Each of the two passenger trains weighs 10 tonnes unloaded

13m - Highest Point

50mph - Top Speed

3.4 - G Force

The original Nemesis travelled the equivalent to the moon and back, and back to the moon again

This is equivalent to circling the world 32.2 times

More people rode the original Nemesis than the population of Colombia, Spain and South Korea

Nemesis Reborn In Numbers

1400 working days over 17 months

Team of over 500 construction workers

Over 750 different tradespeople from all over the world

10,000 test runs of the ride will be completed before opening day

Over a mile’s worth hand-painted veins on the track

Over 8,000 crane lifts during construction

10 mile’s worth of cabling to operate the ride, power operate and generate SFX

Each track piece was manufactured in Ohio, US

Over 100 metres of tentacles have been hand-made to bring the new creature to life

Alton Towers unveils Nemesis Reborn in nerve-shredding first-look footage
Wednesday 13th March 2024
Dramatic First-Look Footage Brings Every Twist And Turn Of Alton Towers’ Nemesis Reborn To Life Ahead Of Opening

It marks the culmination of an extraordinary 18-month project to replace the original Nemesis ride

Thrill-seekers will be able to experience the awesome power of Nemesis Reborn themselves from Saturday March 16

Alton Towers Resort has today unveiled its most immersive taste yet of the unrivalled experience that awaits riders of Nemesis Reborn ahead of its opening on Saturday - in dramatic first-look footage that brings every twist and turn of the ride to life.

This weekend sees the cherished attraction roar into life with its first passengers for 18 months.

Jaw-dropping first-look drone footage released today reveals for the first time the eye-opening transformation that the original ride has undergone.

Its 250-tonne, 716-metre-long track has been replaced with mysterious red veins now snaking along its every inch.

The most dramatic overhaul comes in the completely new look for the creature that gives the ride its name.

Now a predator, seeking vengeance on the shadowy Phalanx organisation that kept it prisoner, the new look and feel culminates in the fearsome interactive eye, which guests will be able to see in all its glory from March 16th.  

State-of-the-art audio visual technology brings it vividly to life, while extensive new theming plunges visitors into a new immersive experience from the moment they set foot in Forbidden Valley.

The incredible footage also captures the sheer power of Nemesis Reborn which takes its riders on an unrivalled thrill-ride, hitting speeds of 50 miles per hour and G Forces of 3.4.

Four full inversions, hair-raising corkscrews and nerve-shredding drops also face anyone brave enough to experience the ride.

On its opening in 1994 Nemesis was crowned Europe’s first inverted rollercoaster and went on to develop a devoted global fanbase.

During its original incarnation it travelled over 800,000 miles, carrying more than 52 million people.

John Burton, Senior Creative Lead, Merlin Magic Making said:

“For three decades the original Nemesis rollercoaster provided an unrivalled experience for countless millions of thrill-seekers - making it one of the most cherished attractions in the UK.

“So when it came to bringing it to life for the 21st century, the stakes couldn’t have been higher.

“That’s why we pulled out all the stops to create Nemesis Reborn.

“Everyone involved in this incredible project has poured their heart and soul into it to ensure we create a rollercoaster experience that is truly unrivalled and will set the standard for the next 30 years.”

Meet The Team Making The Final Touches To Nemesis Reborn (including a tentacle technician)
Tuesday 5th March 2024
The Alton Towers team behind the monster operation to bring back its most iconic coaster are suspended 40 feet in the air as the finishing touches are made to Nemesis Reborn ahead of its hugely anticipated opening on March 16.

Construction Director Pete Bartlett, 53, whose first job was on the original Nemesis construction project in 1994 alongside dad Harry, was accompanied by model maker Gemma Byrne, 32 in the crane basket - as they inspected one of the ride’s infamous loops that fully inverts riders.

Gemma is part of an on-site team known as the tentacle technicians who are responsible for hand-crafting and installing over 100 metres of tentacles for the attraction. 

They are among an extensive array of elements including state-of-the-art audio visual technology that have been harnessed to vividly bring to life the alien creature which gives the ride its name.

Pete said: “Over thirty years ago I took the first steps in my construction career at Alton Towers, making indelible memories working side by side with my dad on the original Nemesis build.

“There have been many projects since then, but helping to bring back this iconic coaster is a true career highlight.”

Gemma added: “What has always set Alton Towers apart for me is its ambition to  tell great stories before anyone even sets foot on a ride.

“It’s been a real thrill to play my part in crafting these tentacles to help bring the narrative of Nemesis Reborn to life.”   

The iconic Nemesis rollercoaster is returning following a complete overhaul of the original ride that came to be revered by millions of thrill-seekers since its launch three decades ago.

Now known as Nemesis Reborn, part of the transformation has also seen the entire 250-tonne, 716-metre-long track replaced. The two ride trains have also been replaced - transforming the breathtaking experience for thrill-seekers.

In addition, extensive, new, immersive story-telling elements will propel visitors into a compelling new narrative from the moment they set foot in the resort’s Forbidden Valley. 

The extensive engineering project - led by Senior Project Manager David Taylor - has been captured in captivating time-lapse footage, shared by Alton Towers Resort today.

It begins in November 2022 with crews removing the framework of the original coaster. By April 2023 the first pieces of new track are seen arriving on site - from Ohio, US, where they were manufactured.

The painstaking process of craning each of the individual segments into place follows, while work to dramatically enhance the theming and look of the site continues.

First opened in 1994, Nemesis was heralded as Europe’s first ever inverted rollercoaster and became an immediate hit with thrillseekers from around the globe, who were blown away by the combination of its 50mph top speed and its numerous twists and turns with four inversions.

During its original incarnation it travelled over 800,000 miles, carrying more than 52 million people.

Bianca Sammut, Divisional Director at Alton Towers Resort, said: “As the final finishing touches take place, we are beyond excited to open the doors to Alton Towers Resort on March 16 so visitors can enjoy the heart-pounding thrills of Nemesis Reborn for themselves."

“At Alton Towers Resort we’re devoted to creating unrivalled experiences for our guests. The original Nemesis rollercoaster set a very high bar. But with Nemesis Reborn we’re confident we have raised that even higher."

“I couldn’t be any prouder of our team of engineers, model-makers and technicians who have truly surpassed themselves on this project.”

To book tickets to be among the very first to experience the heart-pounding power of Nemesis Reborn visit altontowers.com.

Alton Towers Resort Reveals Open Day For Nemesis Reborn
Wednesday 21st February 2024
Alton Towers Resort reveals official launch date for Nemesis Reborn as March 16 2024

The giant, blazing eye of Alton Towers’ Nemesis creature casts a spine-tingling glow at one of the UK’s most notorious alien hotspots.

Cannock Chase in Staffordshire has been a hotbed of unexplained alien activity since the 1980s.

The appearance of the floating seven-metre-wide eye heralds the hugely anticipated opening of Nemesis Reborn, which Alton Towers Resort can today officially confirm, will take place on March 16.

Breathtaking drone footage and images released today showed the other-worldly scene at sunrise.

Nemesis is returning following an extensive transformation of the iconic ride, that has come to be revered by millions of thrill-seekers since its launch three decades ago.

Now known as Nemesis Reborn, part of the transformation has seen the entire 250-tonne, 716-metre-long track replaced as well as a complete overhaul of the beast which gives the ride its name.

The beast’s eye, ringed by razor-sharp teeth, is brought vividly to life through state-of-the-art audio visual technology - demonstrating its evolution into a predator.

Imprisoned underground for much of the past three decades by a shadowy organisation known as The Phalanx, it is now free and out to wreak vengeance.

Extensive, new, immersive elements will propel visitors into this compelling new narrative from the moment they set foot in the resort’s Forbidden Valley.

Alien activity has long been synonymous with Cannock Chase, located on the doorstep of Alton Towers in the Staffordshire countryside.

The Ministry Of Defence has officially investigated dozens of reports of unexplained activity and strange lights in the area.

Incidents include school children who claim to have witnessed an extra-terrestrial figure with a ‘lemon-shaped’ head and a series of triangle shapes seen in the sky.

On its opening in 1994 Nemesis was crowned Europe’s first inverted rollercoaster and has gone on to develop a cult status amongst thrillseekers globally.

Millions of fans from around the world have visited the Staffordshire theme park to experience the thrilling 3.5 G-force, as the ride dangled thrillseekers along numerous twists and turns at speeds of up to 50mph.

Bianca Sammut, Divisional Director at Alton Towers Resort, said:

“Throughout its first 30 years, Nemesis captured the imagination of millions of thrillseekers from around the globe.

“It’s been an astonishing privilege to bring this truly iconic ride into the 21st century.

“We’ve retained its essential DNA, while harnessing the most state-of-the-art technology and immersive storytelling techniques to ensure it will retain its status as a truly unrivalled rollercoaster experience for a whole new generation.

“And from March 16, those brave enough will be able to experience for themselves the truly awesome power of Nemesis Reborn.”

Nemesis Reborn Testing Begins
Friday 19th January 2024
Nemesis Reborn is alive!

Ride testing for Nemesis Reborn has begun. A video appeared on social media this afternoon about the rumble coming from Forbidden Valley and then a few hours later a video was posted by Alton Towers Social Media Team with a video montage of the ride testing.

It's great to see this iconic rollercoaster come back to life. The ride looks stunning in its new colour scheme. We can't wait for an opening date to be announced for the rollercoaster.

The video shows off lots of different angels of the ride testing. Ending on the ride going over the loop which looks very slow. However, its worth noting that the ride will run slower in cold temperatures.

Only the front 2 rows of the train have the new coloured wheel covers on them. With the wheel covers now sporting a new red and black colour scheme.

 

Nemesis Reborn New Logo And Name Revealed
Monday 8th January 2024
Thrillseekers have been given a first look at the terrifying creature they will confront when the iconic Nemesis rollercoaster at Alton Towers Resort returns this spring.

The heart-pounding attraction has undergone the biggest overhaul in its 30-year history and will now be known as Nemesis Reborn.

Part of the transformation has seen the entire 250-tonne, 716-metre-long track replaced as well as a complete update of the beast which gives the ride its name.

Now a striking animation and image released today by The Resort shows a single, giant blazing red eye, ringed by razor-sharp teeth sitting at the centre of the creature’s head.

Tentacles snake from its body, studded with the same, vicious teeth.

Huge, powerful claws extend from its muscular midsection as it propels itself on nimble, black legs.

Behind it trails a tail that it whips with bone-crunching force.

Fans were recently given a heart-stopping hint of the sheer power of the beast in an action-packed video that indicated that it had escaped from its secure containment at Alton Towers Resort.

On its opening in 1994 Nemesis was crowned Europe’s first inverted rollercoaster and has gone on to develop a cult status amongst thrillseekers globally.

Millions of fans from around the world have visited the Staffordshire theme park to experience the thrilling 3.5 G-force, as the ride dangled thrillseekers along numerous twists and turns at speeds of up to 50mph.

Bianca Sammut, Divisional Director at Alton Towers Resort, said:

“Nemesis is utterly cherished by generations of thrillseekers.

“As Europe’s first inverted rollercoaster it occupies a special place in the heart for so many.

“At Alton Towers Resort we’ve been working tirelessly to transform this iconic attraction and we’re delighted to give fans a first look at the terrifying creature that gives it its name.

“This year fans will be able to experience the stand-out thrills of Nemesis Reborn for themselves.

“We’re keeping tight-lipped about the exact date of its return for now, but we can assure you … the wait will be worth it.” 

Nemesis Track Complete Again
Monday 13th November 2023
Yesterday was the last day of the 2023 season with the park open for a 5k and half marathon private buyout. And will be our last time seeing Nemesis until the ride reopens in 2024. No opening date has been set for the ride yet but with the track now complete we don’t think it will be long until the ride is tested and work developing the ride will be complete.

On the first day of the closed season, the final sections of the track were lifted into place. With the pathway into the park needing to be blocked off, it looks like the park was waiting for the closed season to put these final sections in. It would also appear that work on new pathways for the queue line for the rollercoaster has begun. Could the pathway around the whole of the rollercoaster finally be returning?!

The entrance tower for the ride has been enclosed in a temporary tent whilst new tentacles and theming are added to it. We can't wait to see what this structure is going to look like when the ride reopens.

Work on the station also continues with one of the sockets for one of the legs being rebuilt. The old single-rider queue line area is now themed rather than being a blank wall. With access doors now no longer blocked views into the area are now a bit more open. One last trip to the viewing platform we can't help but think this area is going to look even more different come March 2024.

Back With A Vengeance… Has The Nemesis Creature Awakened?
Thursday 2nd November 2023
Fans of the iconic Nemesis rollercoaster have been given a heart-stopping hint of what’s in store for them in the new year - with the release of an action-packed new video.

The clip stokes fears that the Nemesis creature has escaped from its secure containment at Alton Towers Resort.

Footage that has appeared online appears to show a secret experiment on the beast spiral wildly out of control.

It is believed that the shadowy Phalanx organisation were continuing their attempts to manipulate the creature’s DNA at the time.

In the process it appears to have inadvertently woken the creature which has lain dormant since The Phalanx first began their investigations a year ago.

In the footage members of The Phalanx are seen wearing protective clothing in what seems to be preparations for some kind of surgical procedure.

However the calm is soon shattered as panic grips. The scene then descends into complete chaos as Phalanx members attempt to flee the area with the group’s spokesperson appearing to meet a grizzly end.

The footage concludes in dramatic fashion with a close-up on an unidentified creature’s blazing, red eye slowly opening.

It comes as visitors to the park are reporting that the perimeter fence around the Nemesis attraction appears to have been breached with a large hole visible.

An Alton Towers spokesperson said: “We will not be offering any comment on recent alleged events other than to assure visitors Nemesis will be back with a vengeance in 2024.”

The legendary attraction - which takes riders on a heart-pounding journey with a g-force of 3.5 and top speed of 50mph - welcomed fans on a final ride round its exhilarating twists and turns last November before temporarily ceasing operations to undergo an exciting revamp.

Part of the transformation will see the entire 250-tonne, 716-metre-long track replaced ahead of thrillseekers being welcomed back in 2024.

Nemesis Reconstruction Continues With New Breaks
Saturday 7th October 2023
Work around the Nemesis site continues, with the track yet to be completed work on repainting the entrance for the ride has begun. The entrance has been repainted jet black to match the new track colour scheme. We wonder if we might see some veins added to the entrance tower over the next few weeks.

With the lift hill now fully repainted, work on adding the new vein details on the lift hill has begun. Starting at the top of the lift and making their way down, the park has started to stencil out the design for the veins and at the top of the lift have already painted on the new details.

A large section of theming at the front of the station has been removed exposing the roof of the station and how the creature was built back in the day. We wonder if the front of the station is going to be enclosed to create a tunnel and to keep the station dark?

With the trains back on the track, ride hardware has started to be reinstalled after being upgraded. New breaks have been fitted to the break run, replacing the old friction breaks with magnets. New kicker wheels can also be seen on the break run and at the base of the lift hill. 

Nemesis Trains Refurbished And Delivered Back To Alton Towers
Wednesday 27th September 2023
Special delivery! Trains for Nemesis at Alton Towers have been delivered. Although these don’t look like new trains we expect they’ve been filled refurbished by B&M.

Different to the old trains, the seats and metalwork have been repainted jet black and the restraints have been painted a bright red colour. Very different to what the original trains looked like but we love it! It's worth noting that the wheel covers for the ride have remained out of shot, so we wonder what other details have been painted on these.

Photos posted on stokesentinel have given enthusiasts a glimpse of the recently refurbished trains.

Bianca Sammut, divisional director at Alton Towers Resort, said:

“Nemesis has achieved iconic status among thrillseekers worldwide, for its sheer power and heart-stopping twists and turns.

“The arrival of the new ride trains on site marks the latest milestone in its transformation. At Alton Towers Resort, providing our visitors with the ultimate attractions is our defining priority.