Barry Island Rides for Sale

[Peet]

Various rides from Barry Island Pleasure Park, which announced after last season that it would not reopen, are up for sale on ebay:
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/rideworld2011/m. ... ksid=p3686

Particularly interesting is the Viper roller coaster, which at the moment they seem to be giving away. It only goes back to 1996, but this type of ride was once very typical of seaside amusement parks. In fact the Viper is identical the 'Cyclone' which operated at Dreamland in the 1970s (Pinfari Zyklon Z40). It is also very different to anything that has already been acquired for Dreamland, so I think it would be an excellent addition to the park.

[aweber1us]

A good few years ago they had some nice fixed rides, Haunted Gold Mine, Scream Machine, jungle river boats and the log flume.

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

The roller coaster is only a penny, if only I had a back garden big enough!

EDIT I've just placed a bid of £25 (but was already outbid by the previous bidder), just so I can tell the grandkids one day that I once tried to buy a roller coaster


Let's have a just-for-fun sweepstake and guess what it will sell for. I reckon £166,501

[aweber1us]

Ive done the same with the Waltzer, i wonder what the P and P would be.[/list]

[cliffc]

Ive done the same with the Waltzer, i wonder what the P and P would be.[/list]

Hi

There is no P+P as its on pick up only but you would need to hire one very big truck, and a team of ride experts to help you take it down and pack it up on your truck, and of course to rebuild it in your back garden, where you will become very popualr with your nighbours, "the louder you scream the faster we go".

Regards

Cliff C

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

I drive an articulated lorry myself and it always fascinates me to see how an enormous travelling ride breaks down to fit on a standard 13.6 metre trailer, everything is so cleverly designed to maximise use of the load space.

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

Holy crap. There's some good stuff there.

The Viper appears to be a Wildcat. This would be an easy addition to Dreamland.
Whoever is involved and has access to a budget should jump on that or the Pirate Boat thingy. Both would be good additions. The Viper may not be old, but it's an old design.

[porterm]

Wow - I would never have guessed their Viper coaster was circa 1996. I visited the park a few years back after it had closed sadly on an early August weekend after a club trip to Oakwood Park and I got the impression that most of the attractions there looked quite a lot older! (I have some photos somewhere). I too reckon that this coaster would be a great addition to the new Dreamland park (it's only £1020 at this time! - a third of their Pirate Ship bid)

I spoke to a guy in the neighbouring cafe/bar at the time who later sent me some great photos, including aerial shots, of their former classic Scenic Railway wooden coaster which ceased operation in the early seventies, supposedly after severe storm damage. Sadly, I never got to ride their Haunted Goldmine that was said to have utilised some of the former Scenic's wood.

Very sad to see the park's demise, however, apart from the area's recent revival in the BBC comedy Gavin and Stacey, I could see it coming really, especially after the loss of the former neighbouring Butlin's holiday centre. The place was really deserted on my visit, and for peak holiday season I thought that was quite awful. Shame that no entrepreneur, or recent lottery winner, could come forward to revitalise the area. With the current economic situation surely we need all the home grown entertainment we can muster.

Martin

[barcrest]

Really dreamland needs the mary rose back. I seem to remember at the time it was a big thing having a pirate ship that did a full loop so much so it made the news. I was too scarred to go on it as a kid but i watched it in awe when i first saw it.

[Peet]

Any chance of sharing those photos with us Porterm?

Also can anybody involved with the project comment on the feasibility of acquiring the Viper and any other Barry Island rides for the Heritage Amusement Park?

[Greg Pryce]

Obviously there is going to be certain prices wanted for each ride, I am aware of someone who tried to purchase the Waltzer a couple of weeks ago but the owner wouldn't take any offers under £20,000 ... a fairly high price for a Waltzer that apparently needs work including to the drivegear as well.

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

Out of curiosity, how much would a brand new waltzer cost?

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

Um, those rides are on eBay with no reserve. They're under obligation to sell to the highest bidder.

[Nick]

We are already talking to Barry Island about rides, and have been for some time - I first made contact almost two years ago. In my view, almost all of the rides currently being offered for sale are standard rides that you can find in any amusement park and are not old, unique or exciting enough to be considered. There are, however, a couple of rides that are of interest but I don't want to say anything here that might undermine discussions.

[porterm]

Hi Peet et al,

I'll do my best to upload those photos I took, although I must admit to not really having any real experience in this. (Perhaps you can advise me of the easiest way to do this - I believe I have to load them onto something like flickr or photo website first of all). I'll do my best as I remember sending them to Nick Laister shortly after taking them; they even had a rather sorry part-dismantled looking Flying Carpet type ride somewhat decaying away on my visit back then.

I suppose Gavin & Stacey maybe took some of the park's final rides at Barry Island Pleasure Park for their Christmas special last December. I know the guy told me the Haunted Mine ride was rather crass but I'd loved to have ridden it all the same. Maybe there'll be a glimmer of hope for a final go this coming season?? (being the eternal optimist!)

Martin

PS Maybe we could all club together to purchase one or two of their former rides. I'd even half fancy the candy floss machine! (no bids when I last checked too) - or even a kiddie coin-op ride. There'd be some more history marker opportunities for the new Dreamland historic park then.