A Music Express is an amusement park and carnival ride based on the original Caterpillar rides of Germany. Several near-identical ride designs are also produced by other companies; Musik Express by Italian company Bertazzon and US Majestic Rides, Himalaya by American company Wisdom Rides, German company Mack, and French company Reverchon, and Silver Streak by Wisdom Rides. This ride is a modern adaption of the famous Harry Traver Caterpillar rides.
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Design and operation
The ride features twenty 3-passenger cars connected in a circle. These cars rotate on a track with alternating sloped and flat sections. Rotation is possible in both a backwards and forwards direction, as the ride is manually operated. The ride is powered by 4 DC motors, and can reach a maximum speed of 12 rotations per minute.
The riders in each car are restrained by a single solid lap bar that is locked across the body of the car, making the ride unsuitable for young children or people of short stature. The bar must be manually locked or unlocked, and only locks in one position. Lights and music are also controlled by the operator, which (as the name suggests) contribute heavily to the ride experience. Often the ride operator will cut in over the music with a microphone asking the riders "do you want to go faster" If yes is the answer then the ride speed is increased. Most parks and carnivals require all riders to be at least 42 inches or even taller, depending on circumstances and ride design.
Most Music Expresses are built with a backdrop dividing the rear third of the ride from the front two-thirds. This backdrop, normally covered in artwork and lights, and providing a mild headchopper-like effect as the riders enter and exit the rear section. As this blocks lines of sight, additional staff are required to safely supervise this ride in operation.
At Kennywood Park's and Dorney Park's Musik Express, written above are the words "Mit Musik Geht Alles Besser", which translated from German reads, "With Music Everything is Better."
The variant used in fairs across Hawaii feature Murals of several famous artists, such as The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, the logo of The Rolling Stones, and several other musicians.
Variations
- Bertazzon Musik Express
- No major variations from Mack Rides version.
- Majestic Manufacturing Musik Express
- 14 cars, hydraulic locking system, increased top RPM. [1]
- Wisdom Rides Himalaya
- 22 cars. [2]
- Mack Rides Himalaya
- Music Express
- Reverchon Himalaya
- Original Himalaya ride design, only can go up to 12rpms in the U.S.[citation needed] (Campbell Amusements runs usually backwards only and faster)
More about the Reverchon Himalaya at: [1].
- Wisdom Rides Silver Streak
- 16 cars, smaller height difference, multiple lapbar positions. [3]
Appearances
- The letter following the operating park or show indicates the manufacturer and model of the ride:
(Ma) = Mack Rides (B) = Bertazzon [4], (Ma) = Majestic Rides, (W) = Wisdom Himalaya, (R) = Reverchon, (SD) = SDC, (SS) = Wisdom Silver Streak.
- Australia - Tango Train at Luna Park Sydney, Raupen Bahn Love Express owned by TPA shows and a Love Express owned by O'Neill's Shows. In the early days of its appearance at Luna Park (early 1980s) the riders were covered with a material canopy which was then briskly removed mid-ride.
- Canada - Playland
- Himalaya, Campbell Amusements
- Italy - Mirabilandia
- United Kingdom - Gulliver's Land
- United States
- Himalaya at Jenkinson's South Amusement Park Point Pleasant,NJ
- Himalaya at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom (R), Trimpers Rides (R)
- Musik Express at Hersheypark (Doesn't go backwards), Indiana Beach, Conneaut Lake Park, Morey's Piers (B), Kennywood Park, Six Flags Great Adventure, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, and Adventureland (New York).
- Super Cat at Valleyfair (ST).
- Musik Express at James E Strates Midways, Atom Smasher at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Rock & Roll at Bowcraft Amusement Park, Rock & Roll at Gillette Shows (B), Super Himalaya at Casino Pier (B).
- Hip-Hop Himalaya, Coney Island, independently operated. (B).
- Cannonball Express, The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom (B).
- Trade Winds, Busch Gardens Williamsburg (R).
- Super Himalaya owned by Mighty Bluegrass Shows (R).
- Himalaya owned by North American Midway Entertainment otherwise know as N.A.M.E..
- Hurricane Alabama Adventure (B).
- Music Express Seabreeze (B).
- Thunderbolt at Funtown Splashtown USA.
- Flying Bobs Delgrosso's Amusement Park
- Safari Stampede Jungle Jack's Landing
References
- ^ "Majestic Mfg. - Musik Express Specifications". http://www.majesticrides.com/musikexppg2.htm. Retrieved 2007-01-28.
- ^ "Wisdom Rides - Midsize Himalaya". http://www.wisdomrides.com/catalog/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=32&category_id=aca9b7c5a977d68d96c097558144d1e2. Retrieved 2007-01-28.
- ^ "Wisdom Rides - Silver Streak". http://www.wisdomrides.com/catalog/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=31&category_id=aca9b7c5a977d68d96c097558144d1e2. Retrieved 2007-01-28.
- ^ "Bertazzon Musik Express". http://www.bertazzon-america.com/musik-express.php. Retrieved 2007-01-28.
5. Seabreeze[2]
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