Steam Gallopers assembled!
26th November 2009
The Ayers family completed assembly of the gallopers today and it is universally agreed that they look superb! After a test run they have been sheeted up until their inaugural run on Saturday – to be locally well publicised, so we are hoping that we will be busy! The location has been chosen as it is adjacent to the Santa’s Grotto set up for visiting children – we had experienced queues in this area so hopefully the gallopers will be an attractive distraction…
Below: A view of the built-up ride at the waggonway.
Today a local contractor also carried out a low-pressure water based abrasive blasting of the Winget stone crusher, which Davy Sheen will be restoring next. This will form part of the council yard/roadmending display that we are developing.
Below: A couple of views of the process – which shows how well contained the ‘debris field’ is and also how clean the finished surface is left. The media used is water plus a powdered volcanic rock, and the application is both environmentally friendly and also much cleaner than many alternatives.
What have you done to the original 1880’s Ben Hur scene that was on the centre shutter below the steam engine on the Gallopers ? It was on canvas and not capable of sustaining wet weather. I see pictures of this unique ride open without a tilt which is not advisable. Bert Ayres and I spent a lot of time completely restoring this painting along with much of the ride which is historically important and a museum in itself. If a ride is to be left built up for a sustained period it would be better to acquire a NEW reproduction set.
Hi Vicky – I will pm you regarding your comment. Best wishes, Paul