Into 1978

Over time the Twist was painted and decorated with the fairground flamboyant, lights were fitted and she was given her name – ‘The People Mover’. 

At one time she was fitted with canopies (see photograph, on the right of this page) that looked pretty but became a very heavy ‘drag’ on the machine.  In the end, the wind resistance caused by these covers caused fractures in the welds on the cars.  When I discovered these cracks, the canopies were immediately removed and the car frames repaired.

I would push this ride to the limit during busy periods. I had three very good money takers who could all take money by riding the machine when in motion. This was a good ‘time saver’ - you can maximise the number of rides when busy. Having worked on the Twist, over time you develop an understanding of the machine and your money takers and realise their limitations. I knew the speed at which each boy could get on and off the ride and drove the machine to match their ability.