29yrswithaGApass Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 The Gondola was an antique Rodeo Switchback ride that operated just for the 1977 season at Great Adventure. While the park took ownership of the ride shortly after Great Adventure opened in 1974, it took three years until it was installed in the center of the Fortune Festival games area (now the Boardwalk section). We will be doing a Spotlight on the ride and its time at Great Adventure, but below is some great information and photos on the ride at its current home in the United Kingdom. Rodeo Switchback Source: The Fairground Heritage Trust By far the oldest ride in the Trust’s collection is the legendary Rodeo Switchback. Believed to have been built by Savages of Kings Lynn for James Pettigrove, possibly as a Velocipede, as early as 1880, this is the last remaining Spinning Top Switchback in existence, and probably also the oldest surviving fairground ride in the country. Its early history is shrouded in mystery. Originally a very plain machine, it later became one of the most ornate switchback rides to travel. William Wilson, who was based at The Rendezvous, Peckham Rye, acquired it around 1905, travelling it until his death in 1942, when it passed to his son-in-law George Studd. It remained with the family until 1947, when sold to Billy Manning. During Wilsons’ ownership, it was extensively rebuilt, with Orton & Spooner building a complete new bottom for the machine during the winter of 1926/7. A year later the steam centre engine was discarded, when the ride was permanently electrified by Allens of Oxford. The ride was fitted with a succession of exotic cars, produced by Orton & Spooner in Burton on Trent. Initially, Wilsons had Zoological cars fitted to replace the Motors, including elephants and bears. Later more bizarre figures were fitted, including Hollywood stars from the days of the silent screen: Harold Lloyd, Jackie Coogan and Tom Mix. It is these cars which survive with the ride today. Billy Manning did travel the switchback occasionally, including visits in 1954 to Kings Lynn Mart and NottinghamGoose Fair, but for most of the time opened it at his Clarence Pier Amusement Park in Southsea, where it remained until sold to Jimmy Williams in 1973. Williams restored the ride, and travelled it in 1974, selling it at the end of the season to the Six Flags theme park in New Jersey, USA. Sadly, it was only used for a short time, before being laid aside. In 1982 a consortium was formed to rescue this important, historic ride, and return it to the UK before it was destroyed. This was successful, and Switchback Ventures was set up to restore and operate the ride. It made its debut at the Great Dorset Steam Fair in 1984, and continued to travel for seven years. In 1992 the decision was made to sell the ride, and in 1993 it was acquired by the FHT. They operated the ride at Hollycombe in 1994, but it has since remained in store. It is probably one of the most historically important fairground rides to have survived. Now the ride is at Dingles, a complete assessment of the structure will be needed, but early indications are that the ride is in reasonable condition, and priority will be given to making it operational at the earliest possible opportunity. Further conservation/restoration work would continue over a longer period. At present the ride lacks an organ; Switchback Ventures unfortunately sold the original, and presented the Switchback with a loaned organ in the centre – Benny Irvin’s Marenghi when it made its debut, and more usually Arthur Thompson’s ex-Whitelegg 89 key Gavioli. The Trust are currently seeking a suitable organ for the centre – at this stage preferably on loan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiller Posted May 15, 2009 Report Share Posted May 15, 2009 Interesting, that ride has a lot of detail top it, just like a merry go round (if not more than some) Glad to see it is still operating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAcoaster Posted May 15, 2009 Report Share Posted May 15, 2009 I wonder if those are the original wooden cars or the fiberglass reproductions that GA made? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrceagle Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 That is an amazing looking ride. woudl have been interesting to ride it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astroneedle Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 Do we have any info on the Gondola I have a feeling that will be the last ride spotlight done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAcoaster Posted March 14, 2011 Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 Well, it won't be the last (that will probably be Supercat). It was a unique ride that was kind of a carousel but with hills. It actually was kind of a sister ride to the park's English carousel (owned by the same traveling fair company). We'll be doing the spotlight in the next month or two. We're lucky enough to know where it is (in a museum) and even found pictures of it in a book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29yrswithaGApass Posted March 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 Do we have any info on the Gondola I have a feeling that will be the last ride spotlight done? I merged your post with this topic for some Gondola information which was previously posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yankees99 Posted March 14, 2011 Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 I swear...you guys turn me into a kid every time I see something like this. What great days those were hanging around the original Great Adventure. God Bless each and every one of you back there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlumeOp1974 Posted March 1, 2012 Report Share Posted March 1, 2012 Believe it or not it was to be part of the Over the Rainbow section. In the area which was to house four antique carousels in the original plans. But when the plans were revamped it was put in storage and was planned as the centerpiece for Fun Fair. Dream Street had the Carousel and Fountain, and Strawberry Fair the Giant Wheel. If you look at the maps you can visualize it in the center surrounded by all the formal flower beds and trees and the calliope filling the air. Ahhh how spectacular! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29yrswithaGApass Posted March 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2012 Was it suppose to be the centerpiece of Fun Fair or Fortune Festival? I have never seen any documentation or renderings with The Gondola in Fun Fair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlumeOp1974 Posted March 1, 2012 Report Share Posted March 1, 2012 I do belive there is little if any about the attraction. The only shall we say proof. Is word of mouth and that came from Frank a ops supervisor. And was at park level. ANd my understanding is that it was placed in Fortune Festival as a draw ...Seeing as there would be a great big hole in the middle. And Fun FAir Could stand on its own as is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29yrswithaGApass Posted March 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2012 ^ Interesting stuff! Don't forget to read about the ride in our Gondola Spotlight. For those not familiar with the carousel collection that FlumeOp1974 is referring to, here is an excerpt from our Original Park Proposal - Over the Rainbow page: Carousels – four old and magnificent carousels, holding 200 people, linked together under a single, beautiful pavilion. Water Carousel – a carousel in the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlumeOp1974 Posted March 1, 2012 Report Share Posted March 1, 2012 Thanks. Glad you all find it interesting. And here's another- Fun Fair was created and designed by Warner LeRoy. The park expansion was planned during the 1974 season. And has the same circle shape as Strawberry Fair and follows the original proposeal in the area known as "The Enchanted Forest". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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