Thunder looper
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Thunder Looper was a Schwarzkopf Shuttle Loop rollercoaster, that operated at Alton Towers Theme Park between 1990 & 1996. When it opened it was classed as part of Aqualand, which is now split between Mutiny Bay & Katanga Canyon, although it's actual location was situated where Forbidden Valley is today.
Thunder Looper was a very simple rollercoaster, the train was launched out of the station at about 60mph, it passed through a vertical loop, up a steep spike until it stalled and repeated the journey backwards, until it reached the station, where it passed through backwards and went up another steep spike until it stalled again and rolled back into the station and brakes. The launch was operated by a weight drop system, a catch car attached itself to the train, which was attached to the weight via a cable. When the launch was triggered, the weight was dropped down a shaft pulling the cable and catch car which in turn pulled the train down the launch track.
It wasn't soon until more rides joined Thunder Looper, spawning a brand new area called Thunder Valley. The New Beast and the Beastie, shared the area with Thunder Looper, until 1994 when the area changed forever. Nemesis was built and the area was transformed into Forbidden Valley. Thunder Looper left Alton Towers after the 1996 season, the exact reason has not been confirmed, but it is known that the ride breached planning requirements as it was too tall, and also there were numerous complaints from local residents about the noise of the ride, which apparently cause livestock to breed at the wrong time of year.
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