This article originates from the now defunct Joyland Books Exhibition Hall and was online for two months only in May and June 2001. It proved to be the most popular of all the exhibitions that Joyland displayed over several years. It is something of a curiosity now because no less than half of the rides featured are now either demolished, dismantled or standing but not operating. Most of the photographs are the ones used in the original article, but new photographs have been added where the originals were of exceptionally poor quality.

Introduction: Golden Oldies by Nick Laister Whilst Britain has a wonderful amusement park heritage, vintage parks and rides continue to be lost. Earlier this year we hosted an exhibition bemoaning the biggest loss to our amusement park heritage for the past quarter of a century: the closure of Frontierland at Morecambe. The loss of this park is very sad, as is the loss of rides such as the 1937 Texas Tornado wooden roller coaster and the unique Noah's Ark. The list of parks that have closed or announced they are closing over the past two years is long: besides Frontierland, the list includes Spanish City (Whitley Bay), Seaburn Fun Park (Sunderland), Fun City (Skegness), Marvel's Amusement Park (Scarborough), and Dizzyland (Southend). Others are known to be under threat. Of course, rides will always be lost due to progress, and I for one strongly support progress. But not a single amusement park ride in the United Kingdom is protected by statutory listing, yet many would be eligible under the terms of the Listed Buildings Act. To be listed, a structure has to be old, rare and of merit or importance. Of course, listing a ride does not guarantee its preservation, but at the very least it forces those planning a ride's demolition to think about the options. As has been proved with many other forms of development, a requirement to preserve a structure can actually result in surprisingly innovative solutions being drawn up. Of course, this approach would not be right for all parks, particularly those that are not under threat of closure. In such cases it could stifle the park owners and make it more difficult for them to invest. Listing should be used sparingly! This exhibition is a celebration of Britain's oldest surviving rides. These are not rides that are 'hanging by a thread'; some of the UK's best vintage rides are still making a living decades after they were opened in hugely popular amusement parks. (By 'vintage', we have taken 1940 as an arbitrary threshold after which a ride is no longer considered to be vintage). If anyone has any further information about any of the rides featured here, or can provide details of any other pre-1940 rides at amusement parks that we haven't included, please email us. Otherwise, just sit back, relax, and let us take you on a leisurely tour around some of the best old rides that Britain has to offer. One final note: We have excluded gallopers from our survey of vintage rides, as these machines were featured in an exhibition of their own in September 2000, Gallopers at the Amusement Park.

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Although rides have been located on the site of the present Barry Island Pleasure Park since around the turn of the last century, a permanent amusement park was established here in 1922.

A steel pole 62 feet high supports ten arms, from which hang carriages. As the ride revolves, the carriages spread outwards, hence creating the illusion of flying.
 

 

 

 

 

 

This antique machine still operates successfully today amongst the high-tech thrill rides.
 

 

 

 

 

 

Underneath the ride is Sir Hiram Maxim's Emporium inside which can be viewed the historic workings of the ride.

 

 

Big Dipper, Blackpool Pleasure Beach

The Pleasure Beach’s oldest coaster, and the first in the UK to use under-track wheels, opened on 23 August 1923. This photograph shows the Big Dipper entrance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This wooden coaster was designed by legendary coaster builder John Miller (the inventor of the modern-day roller coaster). In 1936, the ride was extended by 200 feet, with an additional dip added, and the existing dips were steepened. The ride was given new streamlined trains in 1937. This photograph shows the second drop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Velvet Coaster was constructed in 1909, and was designed by William H. Strickler. In 1933, the Velvet Coaster had to be moved to accommodate a new road, and was reconstructed in a different design by Charles Paige (of John Miller’s Milleride Company).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ride's massive station is partially hidden behind the Watson Road overpass.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ride is 2,400 feet in length and, uniquely amongst BPB's roller coasters, operates without lap bars.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This 1992 view from the rear of the park shows the Roller Coaster in all its glory, with the Grand National behind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is one of only three racing coasters in the world to feature a ‘Mobius’ loop, which gives the illusion of twin tracks, when it is in fact only one track. This has the result of the trains 'magically' swapping tracks after each ride. Each loop is 3,400 feet long, and the ride is 72 feet high. The other similar rides are the 1927 John Miller-designed  Racer at Kennywood Park, Pittsburgh, USA and the 1964 Montaña Rusa at La Feria Chapultepec Magico, Mexico City.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although architect Joseph Emberton’s original station was demolished, a replica was built in 1990.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Climbing the lift hill in the blue train.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the top of the first drop, the green train takes the lead. Note that the green train is about to enter the double drop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

They're off!

Zipper Dipper, Blackpool Pleasure Beach

The Zipper Dipper is a small wooden roller coaster for children. It was constructed in 1934 as a younger companion to the Big Dipper, and was originally called the Little Dipper! Here it can be seen sandwiched between the much larger Roller Coaster and another children's ride in the Beaver Creek section of the Pleasure Beach.

 

 

 

 

 

The ride was constructed by either Charles Paige or Harry G. Traver, and has recently been given a bright new station facade.

 

 

 

 

 

River Caves, Blackpool Pleasure Beach

 

 

 

 

Passengers are carried through underground caverns featuring scenes from around the world. This spectacular ride covers one and a half acres. The ride still operates, although is much rebuilt.

This walk-through fun house, in the shape of an Ark, surrounded by mechanical animals, and rocking backwards and forwards as if in the sea, was built by William H. Strickler, and opened in 1921.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ride was completely renovated in 1996, the Pleasure Beach’s centenary year.