Python at Efteling to be Retracked for 2018!

Demolition has ended.
It is pretty clear that the old track will connect with the new track at the bottom of the "big drop".

[Coasterkidmwm]

The transition point is going to look hilarious with how different the new track is lol.

[Dirk_Ermen]

I kinda expected the point to be at the top of the first drop. Not at the bottom... This is going to be interesting.

[mkingy]

Coasterkidmwm wrote:

Goddamn does the track have mold/algae on it?

Coaster are living creatures.

[Mikey]

I imagine that the pieces that they cut on the ends are actually going to be unbolted and craned off. So the angled piece on the drop and the last piece into the brake run are also being replaced. Otherwise they would have to weld things fairly awkwardly.

^
You're saying that the drop also will be replaced if I understood you correctly? That's a bit unlikely, since they have cleaned all the track that's still standing. I see no reason to clean old track before replacing it with new track.

Apparently I misunderstood the use of the word "demolish" glad to see the retracking is still happening

Rebuilding has begun, the first new supports have arrived and some have been set up

[Coasterkidmwm]

Oh man new supports? I hope they're different like the track lol.

here are some photos:





Source

The article roughly translates to:
The Efteling started installing the new supports, track pieces will follow soon. The construction is planned to take 7 to 8 weeks. Parts are being produced by CSM who created 47 pieces of track and 57 supports in total. Riders can enjoy a ride in the new Python starting from 31th of March.

The original track was due for replacement. Only the piece of track the brakes to the first drop remain original.

[Coasterkidmwm]

I see what they did there. All replaced track doesn't touch original parts like the lift, transfer, etc.

[mkingy]

Coasterkidmwm wrote:

I see what they did there. All replaced track doesn't touch original parts like the lift, transfer, etc.

Yeah, I guess reducing the amount of interfaces down to 2 between old and new was a good idea. Also I suppose a lot of the transfer track / lift track have much lower impact during operation due to the more normal forces.

Reconstruction has begun
I really do NOT like the new track connector things
(Photo's: Efteling)

[Coasterkidmwm]

I'm honestly surprised that approach was never used before. Reminds me of legos!

actually, they just finished installing the first loop:

[herman116]

The supports of the loop are looking a bit weird... I guess they tried to place the supports on better spots without changing the footers.

[Paradox]

[Coasterkidmwm]

Lol this looks so hilarious

[Paradox]

The turn's been reprofiled





Turns out the park is reusing all of the old footers so some of the supports look a bit weird. Also, the company doing the retracking wanted all the supports to connect perpendicular to the track.

The turn will lose the small pop of airtime but it looks a lot smoother!

[Coasterkidmwm]

It's not 75 degrees at the entrance for no reason yay!

[Paradox]

That looks much smoother.

[mkingy]

Yeah looks like its going to ride a good deal better!

For a track that looks that sooth, the weird supports can be gotten used to.