One of my most vivid memories of that first visit was a ride on the juvenile
autodrome, in my very own car. Although only a juvenile ride, it seemed so big to a
mere child. I'm sure I would also have had a ride on the Peter Pan railway. Even at
that young age, I was already familiar with these rides as they were to be found on the
beach at many seaside resorts. And then there was a ride for the whole family on the
Dreamland miniature railway. The trains were hauled by a real steam locomotive in
miniature, along a straight track that seemed to never end, through a tunnel lit with
coloured lights and back into daylight again. Towards the end of the track, there was a
small miniature fairground with swing boats and stalls, and occupied by gnomes (I
recall the gnomes were bigger that the swing boats)! The train would then reverse
back to the station, ready to collect its next consignment of passengers.
My parents took my sister and me for a ride in the river caves, which was like
wonderland. The Dreamland caves may have been unique; I've certainly never heard
of anything similar. Many amusement parks had river caves, but it was just a boring
ride in a boat (OK, it may not have been boring, but nonetheless, still a ride in a boat).
However, the Dreamland caves were different. Passengers sat in a large tub, which
was then transported up a long inclined conveyor. When the tub reached the top, you
then came splashing down into the waterway and then off on your magical journey
through the caves. As the tubs brushed the sides of the narrow waterway, they would
gently spin. What a wonderful family attraction.
Above, Brooklands Speedway, Gallopers and Octopus, c. mid 1950s
Left, one of Dreamland's miniature railway locomotives c.1930s
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