Is this Dreamland?

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

I found this photo and it looks to me like it might have been taken at Dreamland, the track layout and trains appear to be the same and that looks like the sign for the Racing Coaster in the background?




Yea or nay?

[dave771]

Yes it is Dreamland, have seen the picture somewhere else but cant remember where.

[Sarah]

I love all the signs. "Passengers are requested not to converse with drivers while train is in motion." Unless Dingo's driving of course, he always likes a friendly little chat!

Sarah

[Susan]

For me its "hold your hats, sticks, bags etc" bearing in mind there were no seat belts or safety bars I cant help but think holding on for yourself would be quite enough. The Bobs at Belle vue had a similar sign re hats which always amused me

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

I do not know if this is true, and frankly I doubt it, but I once read about somebody who was killed when he stood up on an early roller coaster and was knocked out of the car by the overhead sign warning passengers not to stand up.

[David Ellis]

Yes...that is true. I know I have the answer as to which coaster it was at home, so will check it out later. My mind tells me it may have been one of the infamous Traver coasters of the 1920s / 1930s, but will check and post the answer. I believe it was the opening day of the coaster too!

Sort of ironic isn't it...a bit like those signs that say Max Headroom when you enter a car park, and in fact the headroom is only that low because that is the height of the Max Headroom sign you drive under, and not the height of the roof (I have even seen that on an outdoor car park!)

David.

[EAS]

Don't let this put you off...

http://www.rideaccidents.com/coasters.html

I also must look up something I recall which relates to an early fatality, where a man's spouse was killed by the speed/forces etc of a new coaster, in the US, and he had to hang on to her body for the duration of the ride.

It's a bit hazy, but that was the gist of it.

Then there's this:

Deaths
Two people are known to have died on these coasters. Yvonne Salais jumped out of the 'Lightning' on its second day open in 1927. The other death occurred on the 'Cyclone' at Crystal Beach in 1938, where a man named Amos Wiedrich apparently stood up to take his coat off, falling to his death after the first drop and being hit seconds later by the train he had been riding in.[2]

That's Wiki, and the page has some great links to YouTube videos of early ride footage.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Beach_Cyclone

(No, no deaths!)

[EAS]

Wiki, and the page has some great links to YouTube videos of early ride footage

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Beach_Cyclone

Opened in 1927 at Crystal Beach Amusement Park in Ontario, Canada. It is said to be one of the most frightening roller coasters to ever be built. This clip is a series of clips edited together from old newsreels. A few of the scenes are actually of the Cyclone at Palisades Park. These were 2 of the 3 infamous triplets that were built in 1927. I do not know the exact origin of these clips but they are simply posted here for those who appreciate that Roarin' 20's nostalgia. Hold tight and enjoy!!

(No, no deaths!)

The scariest coaster ever built?

Then there's this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wTZTX_2 ... re=related and this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSQqFHWr ... re=related

In fact, a rich seam of early coaster stuff! Look at the clothes - hats and all!

How about this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amLldcXW ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9Xv_wiV ... re=related

The Aeroplane coaster (aka: Airplane Coaster) was one of the most thrilling wooden coasters of all times. This wild wonder opened in 1928 and sadly closed in 1957 at Playland Amusement Park in Rye, NY. Very little video exist of this coaster so hold on tight for an intense ride! This clip came from a British news source that was popular during the early 20th century.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CBXJEMy ... re=related

The Flying Turns were unique in the sense that the trains basically free wheeled through a hollow wooden trough and were not locked to the track like a traditional roller coaster. Not the best quality or editing but you can get a good idea of what these incredible rides were like. Video was taken on opening day in 1929.

I remember riding this for the first time when I was 4, with my father, (1960) The wings in this footage were gone, but the ride was still untracked and absolutely thrilling. With no tracks, it was completely unpredictable, with high G forces due to tight turns. Very often the whole train was 90 degrees vertical around a tight turn.

Bobs/Tornado, Coney Island:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ztxt0H3y ... re=related

[David Ellis]

Yes...that is true. I know I have the answer as to which coaster it was at home, so will check it out later. My mind tells me it may have been one of the infamous Traver coasters of the 1920s / 1930s, but will check and post the answer. I believe it was the opening day of the coaster too!

It was the Riverview Bobs, at Riverview Park, Chicago (Church / Traver 1924 to 1967). The comments I have on my coaster spreadsheet are "1 death recorded - Man stood up to wave to his family & hit head on Do Not Stand Up sign - Over 7000 lost earrings on the coaster"

David.

[EAS]

Best I can manage on Youtube is a model:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-jMwxjL6TA

This is a model of the Bobs from Riverview Park in Chicago as featured at the Harold Washington Library.

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

For me its "hold your hats, sticks, bags etc"

Hardly anyone carries a stick nowadays but many of Dreamland's early customers must have been World War One veterans to whom a stick was the equivalent of a mobility scooter.

[Susan]

At that time the silver topped cane was a fashion accessory aspired to by many young men. I have one belonging to my late Father in Law a mere 21 year old at the time of the Scenic opening and a working lad from Lancashire so it wasn't just the preserve of the better off.