Thursday, August 23, 2007

Racing Derby


CI 3 Racing Derby, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Great American Racing Derby came out in the 1920s. There's few around today, one at Cedar Pooint, formerly at Euclid Beach, still operates. These horses came from Illions, others were done by Williams in Denver and perhaps other suppliers.

Anonymous said...

In addition to the Cedar Point racing derby, once at Euclid Beach Park in Cleveland, the only others are at the CNE fairgrounds in Toronto and at the Rye (NY) Playland. Prior & Church made all three. They are much larger in diameter than carousels and so move more rapidly. I've had a chance to ride all three and they are a fast, delightful ride, not to be missed!
Dick Flint
Baltimore

klsdad said...

I remember riding the Steeplechase ride at Coney Island in the early 1960's and thought its name was where the park got its name. Yes?

Anonymous said...

Unless there were two [one was also at Sunnyside and may have gone to Conklin's], the CNE's GARD was dismantled and sold by Conklin's a number of years ago. The figures went through a Guernsey's auction in 1989.

Yes, the name of Steeplechase Park came from the namesake Steeplechase ride, patented by a British guy. The original ride went to Pirate's World, Dania, FL, then back to CI and mysteriously one day disppeared, only to have a huge insurance claim filed. "Davey Jones" knows the whereabouts.

Anonymous said...

yes, but one day Coney's Steeplechase horses mysteriously reappeared! You can see one at the Coney Island History Project booth under the Cyclone coaster.

The Steeplechase ride did not go round but was on an incline track. I've heard the original Steeplechase ride that inspired the one at Coney Island is still operating at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in England!

Anonymous said...

here is the History Project page with the picture of the Steeplechase Horse