THE ELECTRIC SCENIC RAILWAY RIDES - 1910 - 1930
GOLDEN DRAGONS, DIVING DOLPHINS, PEACOCKS AND SCENIC CARS
A dolphin car by Orton & Spooner
The successor to the Steam Switchback, was the electrically driven "Scenic Railway". These rides were similar in design to the Switchback, except that the "Cars" were powered by electric motors. This meant that the whole top structure could remain stationary. The rides were highly decorated with fabulous carved "Rounding Boards" . To attract customers or "Punters", fabulous Mechanical Fairground Organs and waterfalls were installed in the centre of the ride. These were manufactured by mainly French Organ Builders, such as Gavioli, Marenghi, & later..Limonaire & Chiappa (of London). These instruments were driven by compressed air bellows & a punched card passing through a key frame
JENNINGS SCENIC RAILWAY
FRED GRAY'S SCENIC RAILWAY
PAT COLLINS ELECTRIC SCENIC RIDE
GREEN'S GONDOLA ELECTRIC SCENIC RIDE
RANDALL WILLIAMS SCENIC MOTORS
ORTON & SPOONER - FAMOUS FOR THEIR SCENIC RAILWAY CARVINGS
For more information and books on Scenic Rides see http://www.joylandbooks.com/themagiceye/galleries/orton-and-spooner.htm
For more information on historic Fairground rides visit http://www.fairground-heritage.org.uk/