HISTORIC RIDES COLLECTION IS GROWING!
We have now surveyed the rides collection on site and can confirm that key rides
planned for Phase One are intact and have not been scrapped as initially feared,
although parts of some of the rides earmarked for up cycling have gone.
In addition to the remaining rides, we are in the process of acquiring ten historic thrill
rides plus two original, iconic rides returning to Dreamland for the opening line up!
New additions include:
Austin Car Ride
This is one of the most popular juvenile rides where young children can 'drive' a car
on their own. In 1948 parliament passed an act acknowledging pneumoconiosis in
Welsh miners rendering them unable to work in the mines. Chairman of Austin
Motors, Leonard Lord, created an employment opportunity for disabled miners to
work by building a factory to produce children's pedal cars in the Austin style - the
Austin J40. Showmen came up with the idea of fixing the cars onto roundabouts
making the 140 accessible to many children.
Muffin the Mule
This ride was built around 1949 by R J Lakin & Company of Streatham for S & J
Thurston and decorated by chief artist, Edwin Hall. Originally this ride had
streamlined cars in which children could ride, but in the 1950s the popularity of a
certain children's television puppet saw the cars changed to Muffin the Mules.
Double Decker Rocket Ride
An unusual children's ride which in addition to the conventional platform mounted
toys at ground level, also features an upper deck of Rocket cars adding double the fun!
The idea was patented by north-eastern showman, James A Crow, in the late 1940s,
and the rides were built under licence by Orton & Spooner of Burton on Trent.
Hurricane Jets
The delight of this 1950s ride is that the rider can control the elevation of the cars by
the operation of a joystick. Built by the Langwheels Company of Middlesex, these
popular rides could be found in many amusement parks, including Dreamland,
although the one we have acquired has spent its life on the travelling fairs .
The Historic Rides Collection is held in safe, off-site storage. The opening rides line-
up will be supported by visiting and guest vintage rides and attractions.
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