Operating Classic Amusement Park Rides

They used to be found at almost every amusement park. But, as with most things, time has taken its toll and now only a few examples of each of the following rides remain. They are now considered classics and the parks in which they reside are considered stewards of the history of the industry.

Auto Race Small electrically powered cars that travel along a wooden track.

• Manufactured by Traver Engineering, Beaver Falls, PA
  Examples:
  Kennywood, West Mifflin, PA

  Caterpillar
  Similar to today's Himalaya Rides in which a train travels in a circle along an undulating track. Adding to the thrill, a canopy would cover the train.

• Manufactured by Traver Engineering, Beaver Falls, PA, Spillman Engineering, North Tonowanda, NY Allen Herschell, North Tonowanda, NY
  Examples:
  Canobie Lake Park, Salem, NH (still has canopy)
  Idlewild Park, Ligonier, PA (still has canopy)
  Heritage Park, Calgary, ALB (still has canopy)
  

  Circle Swing
  A circular ride in which passengers sit in large gondola vehicles suspended by cables from an overhead structure.
  Examples:

• Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool UK

Fly-O-Plane
A circular ride in which passengers in two person airplane shaped cars maneuver the wings to get the cars to flip upside down.

• Manufactured by Eyerly Aircraft, Salem, OR
  Examples:
  
  Lake Winnepesaukah, Rossville, GA

• Flying Coaster
  Riders sit in three person cars that travel along a circular track. At one point, the cars go over a ramp sending the car in the air.

• Manufactured by: Norman Bartlett, Miami, FL
  Examples:
  Kennywood, West Mifflin, PA

  Flying Scooter
  Two person cars are suspended from a center arm. Passengers can use the wing in front of each car to control the motion of the ride.

• Manufactured by: Bisch Rocco, Chicago, IL
  Examples
  Burns Park Funland, Little Rock, AR
  Lakeside Park, Denver, CO
  Lake Compounce, Bristol, CT
  Eldridge Park, Elmira, NY
  Holiday World, Santa Claus, IN
  Canobie Lake Park, Salem, NH
  Sea Breeze Park, Rochester, NY
  Carowinds, Charlotte, NC

  Strickers Grove, Ross, OH
  Knoebel's Amusement Resort, Elysburg, PA
  Lagoon, Farmington, UT
  Kings Dominion, Doswell, VA
  Conneaut Lake, Conneaut Lake, PA

  (several newly manufactured versions are also in operation)

   

  Fun House
  A walk thru attraction featuring slides, revolving barrels and other obstacles.
  Examples:
  Bushkill Park, Easton, PA (currently closed)
  Pleasure Beach, Great Yarmouth, UK

  Noah's Ark
  A walk thru attraction resembling the famous boat. The boat rocks back and forth presenting an extra challenge for patrons.
  Examples:
  Kennywood, West Mifflin, PA
  Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, UK (currently closed to the public)

  Old Mills
  Also called the Tunnel of Love, riders travel down dark passageways in boats.
  Examples:
  Lake Winnepesaukah, Rossville, GA (only remaining ride with a mill chute drop at the end)
  Playland, Rye, NY
  Kennywood, West Mifflin, PA
  Iowa State Fair, Des Moines, IA
  Kansas State Fair, Hutchinson, KS
  Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, MN
  Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, UK

  Racing Derby
  Resembling a high speed carousel, this ride simulates a horse race.

• Manufactured by: Prior and Church Playland, Rye, NY
  Examples:
  Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH
  Playland, Rye, NY
  Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool UK (manufactured by the park)

  Tumble Bug
  Riders sit in large circular cars that travel over a large undulating, circular track.

• Manufactured by Traver Engineering, Beaver Falls, PA
  Examples:
  Conneaut Lake Park, Conneaut Lake Park, PA
  Kennywood, West Mifflin, PA

  Venetian Swing
  Riders sit in two passenger boats suspended from a large wooden A-frame. The ride is manually propelled, with riders have to pulling ropes to make the boat swing.
  Examples:
  Crossroads Village, Flint, MI
  Bucktail Camping Resort, Mansfield, PA
  Heritage Park, Calgary, ALB
  Several in Europe

  Whip
  Two person cars travel on along an oval shaped course producing a whipping effect at each end,.