In 2004 preparation began for an exciting new project, with rumours from a booster bike to a wooden coaster, but in April 2005 Rita opened as Europe’s first Intamin rocket coaster.
- September 20th 2004
- September 24th 2004
- October 13th 2004
- October 24th 2004
- October 30th 2004
- November 15th 2004
- December 6th 2004
- December 8th 2004
- January 7th 2005
- January 12th 2005
- February 9th 2005
- February 15th 2005
- February 19th 2005
- February 20th 2005
- February 24th 2005
- March 1st 2005
- March 16th 2005
- Miscellaneous Photos
Clearing work has begun to make way for the new coaster.
Ug-Land is closed off to the public and looks extremely barren.
Heavy machinery has been brought in to help with the clearance.
Here, old Ug-Land theming has been removed and placed by a wall.
Signs telling the public to keep out of the dangerous work-area.
The rides are beginning to be dismantled to clear space.
Clearance work is now well underway. Both the Ug-Bugs and Ug-Swinger have been removed.
This shot clearly shows that the Ug-Swinger has been completely removed.
The Ug-Bugs cars removed and being held in temporary storage.
The old site of the Ug-Bugs has now been reduced to merely a kiosk.
More items have started to arrive by the wall – also there is a new sign.
Sign clearly stating “LAUNCH COASTER SITE ENTRANCE”.
A sign has been erected. Could this suggest the RITA name is staying?
This space by the wall is now packed with items for the construction.
Work with the digger has begun near Corkscrew.
The work continues with heavy machinery.
Ug Land has been completely fenced off to the public.
A look at Ug Land from the Skyride station.
A view from the distance past the Skyride Station.
The digger continues to excavate, moving further afield.
The entire of Ug Land has been fenced off – right up to the arch!
What was Ug Land is now simply a blank canvas, ready for RITA.
A large clearing can easily be seen from the Skyride.
What is meant to be concrete has been diluted by the rain.
The large concrete area from a distance.
Footers for the new ride are being installed.
Could this long row of footers be the launch area?
The area sectioned off is wide. Could this show the size of RITA?
Another new sign for RITA has been erected.
An advert for RITA on the Fireworks’ video screen.
Footers continue to be installed around the site.
The ride seems to run right alongside Corkscrew.
Construction continues for what could be the launch area.
Could this be where the track goes over itself to form the “8”?
Oddly, the Ug-Land arcade still stands, yet theming has been removed.
There has been further work to the large concreted area.
Here we can see Ug-Land scenery near the wooded area where Ug Swinger was located, ready to be stored.
The tree house scenery – possibly being installed again, but likely to be stored and maybe reused at a later date.
There is a very large concrete pouring crane on site.
Track starts to arrive.
The distinctive Intamin track pieces in their delicious maroon colour.
Supports ready to be erected.
Large amounts of track being stored in Fountain Square near Hex.
More pieces of the jigsaw delivered by lorry.
A sign belonging to the construction team of the project.
Intamin’s support structure waiting to be pieced together.
An overview of just some of the precision engineered steel.
Ug Land entrance – now serving as an entrance for plant machinery.
What looks to be a support for some kind of inversion.
These are some transport wheels, perhaps for the brake run.
A picture of some of the plans for the ride.
Possibly the launch section of track.
Possibly something hydraulic – a piston of some sorts.
Some large nylon wheels hidden by metal and wood.
More track in Fountain Square.
First views of constructed track. She looks stunning in ruby red!
Looking towards Corkscrew with Rita in the foreground.
Another view of Rita’s launch.
The launch section of track, still being worked on.
New and old – here we see Corkscrew and Rita.
Footers ready to receive metalwork.
A building, possibly to contain the hydraulics.
The first turn after launch may go here in this cleared section of land!
A general view of the site with Corkscrew in the background.
Another general view of the site.
A crane working on the track.
Again, new and old – Rita and Corkscrew.
More Corkscrew and Rita.
Yes, you guessed it, Corkscrew and Rita.
Tea break? We believe this might be roughly where the station will be.
A view of the site, looking back towards the towers.
The site where the Boneshaker once stood, behind the big tree.
Delivered track ready to be erected, currently sitting in the car park.
More track and supports in the car park.
Rita from Fountain Square.
The first airtime hill from a distance.
Looking past the old Ug-Land sign.
Scenery objects are arriving – this is the queue line entrance.
A part-train is on the tracks!
Behind the lorry, “Race Control” and the launch can be seen!
Here, the old shops and sign post can be seen – will they be staying?
You can just see Rita’s shop and photo-shop on the left here!
Rita’s launch, going into the first banked turn.
Rita’s final turn, before returning back into the station.
Another shot of a part-complete Rita train that we saw on the 15th.
In this photo, we can clearly see the flame theming.
A final photo of the part-train and you can see the name ‘Thunder Rock Rally’ on the race control building.
Rita’s storage and maintenance area under construction.
The last turn of Rita, with the partially constructed train on it.
In the foreground – Corkscrew has had a repaint! In the background – Rita!
A close up of the side of the train – here you can clearly see the restraints.
The front of a Rita train! Looks a bit like an old American Dragster.
The ride control panel.
There is a lift up to the loading platform for disabled guests.
This is a silo, used to store Silica Sand.
Rita’s second train is being delivered.
Construction of the station is now well underway.
Alton Towers have clearly employed a “Dragster” theme for this ride.
The final bend and Corkscrew in the background.
Race Control of the “Thunder Rock Rally”.
The race-track style megaphone suggest that sound effects could be used.
The view from Corkscrew’s lift-hill – you can see most of Rita from here!
An engineer works on the supports, which lie just inches from Corkscrew.
The Rita shop and ride photo point – currently blocked by machinery.
Rita herself from a distance.
Swee-T-Rex is back for another season!
Dino Derby is still there. YAY!
Similar to the above picture – a general overview. Spot the difference!
The new Ug-Land entrance sign – and very nice it is too!
A close-up of the entrance sign – Thunder Rock Rally!
Rita – the finished article.
Rita’s main entrance.
A view including theming, the main entrance and Rita herself.
Much of Ug-Land’s pre-historic theming has been kept.
Rita’s station from Corkscrew.
Priority Pass holders and single riders entrances!
Rita’s trains and restraints close up!
The new Corkscrew entrance.
The view of Rita looking through Corkscrew.
Test dummies riding Rita! It’s not fair – we want a go!