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Line 1: {{Short description|Roller coaster at Thorpe Park}} {{Use British English|date=September 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October {{Infobox roller coaster |name=The Swarm |logo= The swarm, sign.jpg |logodimensions= |image=The |imagedimensions= |caption=The dive drop of The Swarm |previousnames= Line 26: |track= |lift=Chain [[lift hill]] |height_m=38. |drop_m=<!-- Requires a source. Not listed at RCDB. --> |length_m=775 |speed_mph=59 |inversions= |duration=<!-- Requires a source. Not listed at RCDB. --> |capacity=<!-- Requires a source. Not listed at RCDB. --> Line 52: |rcdb_number=9820 }} '''The Swarm''' is a [[steel roller coaster]] located at [[Thorpe Park]] in the United Kingdom.<ref name=RCDB /> The Swarm was the world's second [[Wing Coaster]] model designed by [[Switzerland|Swiss]] roller coaster manufacturer [[Bolliger & Mabillard]] and the first one located in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref name="New coaster crashes into Thorpe Park!">{{cite journal|title=New coaster crashes into Thorpe Park!|journal=Park World Magazine|date=15 March 2012|url=http://www.parkworld-online.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/2187/New_coaster_crashes_into_Thorpe_Park!.html|access-date=21 May 2013|publisher=Datateam Business Media Limited|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110123647/http://www.parkworld-online.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/2187/New_coaster_crashes_into_Thorpe_Park!.html|archive-date=10 November 2013 The {{Convert|2543|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} ride stands {{Convert|127|ft|m}} tall and features four inversions along with a heavily-banked left turn. Riders experience speeds of up to {{Convert|59|mph|abbr=on}} and 4.5 times the [[G-force|force of gravity]]. A marketing campaign for the ride dubbed ''LC12 - The End is Coming'' began eleven months before The Swarm opened to the public. It has generally been well-received, ranking highly amongst other winged roller coaster designs. ==History==
At the time of the ride's announcement construction was already underway. The track for ''The Swarm'' was complete by 18 November 2011.<ref name="Track complete">{{cite web|title=Track is complete...let the theming...|url=https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=139804699456273&id=115673268536083|work=The Swarm - Developer Diary|author=Thorpe Park|publisher=Facebook|access-date=23 May 2013|date=18 November 2011}}</ref> Clearance testing started almost immediately; the first operational test run was completed on 17 January 2012.<ref name="Clearance testing">{{cite web|title=Now that the track...|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=141830232587053&set=a.115674095202667.11343.115673268536083&type=1|work=The Swarm - Developer Diary|author=Thorpe Park|publisher=Facebook|access-date=23 May 2013|date=23 November 2011}}</ref><ref name="The Swarm 1st test run!">{{cite web|title=The Swarm 1st test run!|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150702617094815|work=The Swarm - Developer Diary|author=Thorpe Park|publisher=Facebook|access-date=23 May 2013|date=17 January 2012}}</ref> On 15 March 2012, ''The Swarm'' officially opened to the public.<ref name=RCDB /> In January 2013, Thorpe Park announced that the last two rows on ''The Swarm'' would be rotated to face backwards for 2013, a first for a Wing Coaster. The park's tag line for this experience is 'THE SWARM- Brave It Backwards'. The park additionally announced that they were adding a damaged, mangled billboard, which the train travels through.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themeparktourist.com/news/20130122/12408/confirmed-thorpe-park-reverse-seats-swarm-roller-coaster-2013-season |title=Confirmed: Thorpe Park to reverse seats on each train of The Swarm roller coaster for 2013 season |first=Nick |last=Sim |publisher=Theme Park Tourist |date=22 January 2013 |access-date=22 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thorpepark.com/rides/the-swarm.aspx |title=The Swarm |publisher=Thorpe Park |access-date=22 January 2013}}</ref> In 2016, the seats were returned to all facing forwards.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} ==Characteristics== ===Location=== The Swarm is located on a reclaimed island adjacent to the [[Stealth (roller coaster)|Stealth]] roller coaster,<ref name="PR planning">{{cite web|title=Thorpe Park – Developing the Thrills|url=http://www.thorpepark.com/press/releases/2011/04-02-11-New-Development.doc|work=Press Release|publisher=Thorpe Park|access-date=2 August 2011|date=4 February 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004030501/http://www.thorpepark.com/press/releases/2011/04-02-11-New-Development.doc|archive-date=4 October 2011 ===Trains=== Line 75: File:Part of the swarms destroyed church.jpg|Part of The Swarm's destroyed church File:View of firestruck theming.jpg|A partially submerged fire engine in the area surrounding the ride File:The swarm, crashed plane, thorpe park, england.jpg|The File:The swarm station with overturned police van.jpg|The overturned police major incident control van (also the ride's control centre). </gallery> ==Ride experience== [[File:The Swarm layout.png| [[File:The swarm loop and corkscrew, thorpe park, england.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Roller coaster elements#Inclined loop|inclined loop]] and [[Roller coaster elements#Corkscrew|corkscrew]] featured in the ride]] The roller coaster begins in the [[Station (roller coaster)|station]], which is built to look like a partially destroyed church with an upturned police trailer housing the ride operators,<ref name="DA Elevations 2">{{cite web|title=Station Building – Plan & Colour Elevations|url=http://ww2.runnymede.gov.uk/home/latest/wklyplanapps/2011/wk06/RU11-0101.DCELEVXXX.002.pdf|publisher=Runnymede Borough Council|access-date=2 August 2011|author=Thorpe Park|date=27 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930032712/http://ww2.runnymede.gov.uk/home/latest/wklyplanapps/2011/wk06/RU11-0101.DCELEVXXX.002.pdf|archive-date=30 September 2011}}</ref> and climbs up a {{convert|38.7|m|adj=on}} [[chain lift hill]].<ref name="Thorpe Park's New £20m Development Is No April Fools" /><ref name="RCDB">{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Swarm|location=Thorpe Park|metric=m|rcdb_number=9820|access-date=2 August 2011}}</ref> Upon reaching the top of the lift hill, the track twists 180 degrees anticlockwise, so that riders are upside down, before plunging down the world's first [[dive drop]] element. The train then proceeds to dive under the wing of a wrecked plane and into a [[zero-g roll]] {{Convert|30.6|m}} above the ground before passing narrowly through a themed billboard, immediately following which the [[on-ride photo]] is taken. It then enters an [[Roller coaster elements#Inclined loop|inclined loop]] {{Convert|23|m}} in height.<ref name="DA Elevations 7">{{cite web|title=Site Sections BB CC|url=http://ww2.runnymede.gov.uk/home/latest/wklyplanapps/2011/wk06/RU11-0101.DCELEVXXX.007.pdf|publisher=Runnymede Borough Council|access-date=2 August 2011|author=Thorpe Park|author2=Webber, Nichols Brown |date=2 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930032804/http://ww2.runnymede.gov.uk/home/latest/wklyplanapps/2011/wk06/RU11-0101.DCELEVXXX.007.pdf|archive-date=30 September 2011}}</ref> The ride continues into a turnaround featuring a wrecked helicopter with slow-spinning rotor blades in the centre. At this point riders on the right hand side of the train experience a near miss with the water surrounding the helicopter. This is followed by a [[Corkscrew (roller coaster element)|corkscrew]], which passes through the inclined loop.<ref name="DA Single Plan 4" /><ref name="DA Elevations 7" /> Upon leaving the corkscrew, the train curves past a crashed fire engine with water and fire effects and proceeds through a [[Keyhole (roller coaster element)|keyhole]]: a partly destroyed church tower.<ref name="DA Single Plan 4" /><ref name="DA Elevations 7" /> The ride then flies over the station and enters into a last [[inline twist]] before a mid-course brake run. Following this, the train makes a banked left-hand turn (which despite being directly after a brake run, can generate strong forces for riders on the rear-right of the train) into the final [[Brake run|brakes]]. The train then goes back into the station.<ref name="DA Site Plan 3" /> The ride previously featured an on-ride video camera, filming riders and allowing the purchase of a DVD afterwards; this was removed sometime in 2016.[[File:The swarm loop and corkscrew, thorpe park, england.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Roller coaster elements#Inclined loop|inclined loop]] and [[Roller coaster elements#Corkscrew|corkscrew]] featured in the ride]]▼ [[File:The swarm drop, thorpe park, england.jpg|thumb|right|The ride's first drop]] [[File:The Swarm 2024-05-08 02.png|thumb|right|A Swarm train going through a [[headchopper]] element]] ▲The roller coaster begins in the [[Station (roller coaster)|station]], which is built to look like a partially destroyed church with an upturned police trailer housing the ride operators,<ref name="DA Elevations 2">{{cite web|title=Station Building – Plan & Colour Elevations|url=http://ww2.runnymede.gov.uk/home/latest/wklyplanapps/2011/wk06/RU11-0101.DCELEVXXX.002.pdf|publisher=Runnymede Borough Council|access-date=2 August 2011|author=Thorpe Park|date=27 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930032712/http://ww2.runnymede.gov.uk/home/latest/wklyplanapps/2011/wk06/RU11-0101.DCELEVXXX.002.pdf|archive-date=30 September 2011}}</ref> and climbs up a {{convert|38.7|m|adj=on}} [[chain lift hill]].<ref name="Thorpe Park's New £20m Development Is No April Fools" /><ref name="RCDB">{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Swarm|location=Thorpe Park|metric=m|rcdb_number=9820|access-date=2 August 2011}}</ref> Upon reaching the top of the lift hill, the track twists 180 degrees anticlockwise, so that riders are upside down, before plunging down the world's first [[dive drop]] element. The train then proceeds to dive under the wing of a wrecked plane and into a [[zero-g roll]] {{Convert|30.6|m}} above the ground before passing narrowly through a themed billboard, immediately following which the [[on-ride photo]] is taken. It then enters an [[Roller coaster elements#Inclined loop|inclined loop]] {{Convert|23|m}} in height.<ref name="DA Elevations 7">{{cite web|title=Site Sections BB CC|url=http://ww2.runnymede.gov.uk/home/latest/wklyplanapps/2011/wk06/RU11-0101.DCELEVXXX.007.pdf|publisher=Runnymede Borough Council|access-date=2 August 2011|author=Thorpe Park|author2=Webber, Nichols Brown |date=2 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930032804/http://ww2.runnymede.gov.uk/home/latest/wklyplanapps/2011/wk06/RU11-0101.DCELEVXXX.007.pdf|archive-date=30 September 2011}}</ref> The ride continues into a turnaround featuring a wrecked helicopter with slow-spinning rotor blades in the centre. At this point riders on the right hand side of the train experience a near miss with the water surrounding the helicopter. This is followed by a [[Corkscrew (roller coaster element)|corkscrew]], which passes through the inclined loop.<ref name="DA Single Plan 4" /><ref name="DA Elevations 7" /> Upon leaving the corkscrew, the train curves past a crashed fire engine with water and fire effects and proceeds through a [[Keyhole (roller coaster element)|keyhole]]: a partly destroyed church tower.<ref name="DA Single Plan 4" /><ref name="DA Elevations 7" /> The ride then flies over the station and enters into a last [[inline twist]] before a mid-course brake run. Following this, the train makes a banked left-hand turn (which despite being directly after a brake run, can generate strong forces for riders on the rear-right of the train) into the final [[Brake run|brakes]]. The train then goes back into the station.<ref name="DA Site Plan 3" /> The ride previously featured an on-ride video camera, filming riders and allowing the purchase of a DVD afterwards; this was removed sometime in 2016. ==Marketing== In late April 2011, Thorpe Park began an advertising campaign for LC12 consisting of "The end is coming" posters in the park and a teaser website, LC12.net. The LC12.net website featured a brief description hinting at the possible theme of the ride alongside a countdown until 1 August 2011.<ref name="LC12 official (pre-Swarm announcement)">{{cite web|title=LC12|url=http://www.lc12.net|publisher=LC12|access-date=31 July 2011|author=Thorpe Park|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510072431/http://lc12.net/|archive-date=10 May 2011}}</ref> As the date of the ride's announcement approached, Thorpe Park released a video via [[Facebook]] stating that "WAR is coming".<ref name="VIDEO War is coming... teaser">{{cite web|title=War is coming...|url=http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=171304192938034|publisher=Facebook|access-date=2 August 2011|author=Thorpe Park|date=25 July 2011}}</ref> On 25 January 2012, it was reported that an incident occurred when testing In March 2012, Thorpe Park announced it had contracted the band [[You Me at Six]] to create the world's first roller coaster single for the launch of ''The Swarm''. The song, "[[The Swarm (song)|The Swarm]]", was released on [[iTunes]] on 18 March 2012, a few days after the opening of the roller coaster.<ref>{{cite web|title=You Me At Six Write Official Single For The Swarm At Thorpe Park|url=http://www.thorpepark.com/you-me-at-six/|publisher=Thorpe Park|access-date=21 May 2013}}</ref> The song entered the UK Singles Charts at number 23.<ref>{{cite web|title=2012 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20120325/7501/|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=21 May 2013|date=31 March 2012}}</ref> ==Reception==
In Mitch Hawker's worldwide Best Roller Coaster Poll, ''The Swarm'' debuted at position 68 out of the 365 roller coasters in the poll. When compared with other Wing Coasters debuting in the 2012 poll, ''The Swarm'' performed fairly well; ''[[X-Flight (Six Flags Great America)|X-Flight]]'' at [[Six Flags Great America]] ranked 58, ''[[Wild Eagle]]'' at [[Dollywood]] ranked 87, and ''[[Raptor (Gardaland)|Raptor]]'' at [[Gardaland]] ranked 113.<ref name=HawkerPoll>{{cite web|url=http://www.ushsho.com/steelpoll12yeartable2012.htm |title=Steel Roller Coaster Poll 12 Year Results Table (1999–2012)|publisher=Best Roller Coaster Poll |first=Mitch |last=Hawker |access-date=27 April 2013}}</ref> It did not place in ''[[Amusement Today]]'s'' [[Golden Ticket Awards]] in 2012, 2013 and 2014, but made its first appearance in 2015 ranked at 30.<ref>{{cite web|title=Issue Archive|url=http://www.goldenticketawards.com/winners/issue-archive|work=[[Golden Ticket Awards]]|publisher=[[Amusement Today]]|access-date=11 September 2013}}</ref> Line 105 ⟶ 108: }} Despite the positive reviews, however, The Swarm failed to increase attendance. Park gate figures fell by 200,000 following the addition of the coaster. The park itself, as well as many others, have blamed the park's branding from 2009 to 2012 as the issue.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} ==See also== |