After a full year of groundwork in the theme park, work has now begun on the track for Valkyria and the first section is in place.
Meanwhile, work continues on the most complex part of the project, the tunnel at the bottom of the 50-metre dive. Valkyria – which will open at Liseberg in summer 2018, will be the largest and longest dive coaster in Europe.
The first sections to be constructed are those by the station, so that the station can then be built over the track.
It has been a full year since work began on Valkyria in the theme park, as extensive groundwork was needed to provide solid foundations for the track.
Kenneth Carlsson, Area Manager for the mechanical department at Liseberg:
“It’s great that we’ve now made a start on the track. I have worked at Liseberg since 1981 and helped to build around 20 different attractions including Loke, but Valkyria is probably the most exciting so far!”
"The groundwork is continuing around us while we are assembling the track. The part that takes the longest to build is the three-storey deep tunnel that Valkyria enters at the bottom of its 50-metre dive. This is the most complex part of the project, as we are building in clay and the structure has to resist the pressure of the surrounding groundwater – it’s similar to the process of building the West Link rail tunnel. This part of the track will be built last of all to allow as much time as possible for the tunnel construction."
The tunnel, or rather the section just before it, will be the most exciting part of Valkyria when it’s finished. After climbing up, you will drop vertically, or free-fall, at 105 kilometres per hour straight towards the tunnel and under ground.
Andreas Andersen, CEO of Liseberg:
“The experience of Valkyria won’t be like any other ride at Liseberg. It will feel like you’re flying."
Valkyria will be Europe’s longest and highest dive coaster. The attraction is being supplied by the Swiss roller coaster maker Bolliger & Mabillard. This is the first time Liseberg has invested in an attraction from the company, which has a reputation as a creator of some of the world’s best roller coasters.
The track will be 700 metres long, 47 metres high and drop 50 metres into the tunnel. Each of the three trains will be made up of three cars, each with six seats side by side, and they will reach a top speed of 105 kph. Valkyria will open in summer 2018 in the Myths & Legends area at Liseberg.
