Music Express

For the Canadian music magazine, see Music Express (magazine).

A Music Express in operation at Six Flags Great Adventure

A Music Express at night in operation at Kennywood Park

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.

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 revolutions per minute. (Certain older models have a hydraulic tire/rim drive and they have a tendency to go faster).

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 the answer is yes 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.

More common in Europe than the US, some Music Express rides have a canopy that the operator can cover the ride while in operation, very much like the old caterpillar rides.

At Kennywood Park's and Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom's Musik Express, written above are the words "Mit Musik Geht Alles Besser", which translated from German reads, "With Music Everything Goes 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]

SDC Amor Express

Billed as "The Love Machine", circa late 70's, with hydraulic drive and has canopy very much like the original caterpillar rides. Not many found in US anymore but they still can be found in European fair circuits and parks.

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.

• Argentina
  • Himalaya at Parque de la Ciudad (R)
• 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 Vancouver, B.C.
  • Himalaya, Campbell Amusements
• Italy - Mirabilandia
• United Kingdom - Gulliver's Land
• United States
  • Himalaya at Adventureland, Altoona, IA
  • 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).
  • Music Express with Rock-n-Roll theme (B) at Seabreeze Amusement Park, Rochester, NY.
  • Music Express with Rock-n-Roll theme (Ma) at Quassy Amusement Park, Middlebury, Connecticut.
  • 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). "Musik Express" at Cliff's Amusement Park
  • Hip-Hop Himalaya, Coney Island, independently operated. (B).
  • Cannonball Express, The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom (B).
  • Trade Winds, Busch Gardens Williamsburg (R).
  • 2 Super Himalaya's owned by Wade Shows (R).
  • HitIn2000 owned by Wade Shows (Mack).
  • Himalaya owned by Wade Shows (W)
  • Super Himalaya at Cedar Point Sandusky, OH
  • Himalaya owned by North American Midway Entertainment otherwise known as N.A.M.E..
  • Hurricane Alabama Adventure (B).
  • Hurricane at Jolly Roger at the Pier. Ocean City, MD.
  • Thunderbolt at Funtown Splashtown USA.
  • Matterhorn at Palace Playland
  • Flying Bobs Delgrosso's Amusement Park
  • Safari Stampede Jungle Jack's Landing (B).
  • Wave or Silver Streak, San Diego County Fair
  • Alpine Bobs at the Central States Fair, Rapid City, SD

External links

References

1. ^ "Majestic Mfg. - Musik Express Specifications". http://www.majesticrides.com/musikexppg2.htm. Retrieved 2007-01-28. ^{[dead link]}
2. ^ "Wisdom Rides - Midsize Himalaya". http://www.wisdomrides.com/catalog/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=32&category_id=aca9b7c5a977d68d96c097558144d1e2. Retrieved 2007-01-28. 
3. ^ "Wisdom Rides - Silver Streak". http://www.wisdomrides.com/catalog/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=31&category_id=aca9b7c5a977d68d96c097558144d1e2. Retrieved 2007-01-28. 
4. ^ "Bertazzon Musik Express". http://www.bertazzon-america.com/musik-express.php. Retrieved 2007-01-28.