Anybody remember the "flying cages?"
With all this talk about the Virginia Reel, I was thinking back to Chippewa Lake Park (defunct park in Ohio). I think that I was there when I was really young but was too young to board any exciting rides. I remember there were some flying cages (I think they were called). I know there are pics of the defunct park and the rusted cages are still there.
I remember that they were like a big swing and you could go over the top. Is there anybody who remembers these? It seems like they would be a cool ride today, as you don't see many manual rides. Maybe good for a park just starting out.
Anybody old enough to remember? I am pushing 40, but I know some of you are as old as me.
MarathonRunner
at 6/18/06 9:10:37 PM
> Anybody old enough to remember? I am pushing 40, but I know
> some of you are as old as me.
Knoebels Museum has a cage in there with pictures as well, but I am too young to remember. After all, at 39 it is hard to remember these rides :)
>
at 6/18/06 9:26:49 PM
39? I highly doubt that... But I had just thought of an old ride myself, I have seen this coaster on coaster shows on Discovery where its a woodie with the train going around a circular course much like High Roller and the structure would spin as well as wobble too.
Does Ed or anyone else know what I'm talking about? This is not an age joke.
Thanks in advance,
Tim.
at 6/18/06 9:52:16 PM
> 39? I highly doubt that... But I had just thought of an old
> ride myself, I have seen this coaster on coaster shows on
> Discovery where its a woodie with the train going around a
> circular course much like High Roller and the structure
> would spin as well as wobble too.
> Does Ed or anyone else know what I'm talking about? This is
> not an age joke.
> Thanks in advance,
> Tim.
Though I am not as old as Ed, I do remember the ones that Kennywood had. They had a set of 6 multi colored cages. My brothers used to go wild on those things, my parents would not permit me to ride. Once they got the cage moving it wasn't hard to complete multi circuts. The other set I remember was at the defunct Rainbow Gardens, they had a set of 4. We were going through some old pictures my mother had, heck that park also had a full size flying scooter and a wooden wild mouse. Though they closed in 1969 I can remember the picnics there. Just think there was 2 other amusement parks within 10 miles of Kennywood.
Thinking back to what they used to have at Kennywood a full size flying scooter, a Bubble Bounce that was insane, a full size Bumper car ride (Knoebels style) and several great dark rides.
Patripman
> With all this talk about the Virginia Reel, I was thinking
> back to Chippewa Lake Park (defunct park in Ohio). I think
> that I was there when I was really young but was too young
> to board any exciting rides. I remember there were some
> flying cages (I think they were called). I know there are
> pics of the defunct park and the rusted cages are still
> there.
> I remember that they were like a big swing and you could go
> over the top. Is there anybody who remembers these? It
> seems like they would be a cool ride today, as you don't
> see many manual rides. Maybe good for a park just starting
> out.
> Anybody old enough to remember? I am pushing 40, but I know
> some of you are as old as me.
> MarathonRunner
>
I remember the Flying Cages on the Pt Pleasant NJ boardwalk in the 60's. I never was able to get one "over the top" as I probably weighed about 80 lbs at the time.
They were operated by shifting your weight side to side to get the cage to swing. It was all about timing.
- Sandy
at 6/18/06 10:20:36 PM
> Does Ed or anyone else know what I'm talking about? This is
> not an age joke.
> Thanks in advance,
> Tim.
No one ever knows what your talking about Tim :) Anyway, the coaster your talking about was called the Top and at Coney Island. I found this from the Film Vault and if I find anything else I will post it.
http://www.thefilmvault.com/ap-roller_coasters/top.html
Ed
at 6/18/06 10:36:28 PM
Ed, thank you for the link! And yes, I do agree not everyone knows what I'm talking about, including me. Now one more question, could they ever bring such a ride back from the grave, or was it too dangerous?
Tim.
at 6/18/06 10:53:39 PM
> Ed, thank you for the link! And yes, I do agree not
> everyone knows what I'm talking about, including me. Now
> one more question, could they ever bring such a ride back
> from the grave, or was it too dangerous?
> Tim.
HELLO TIM, I definitely am not that old. I have no idea if it was dangerous or not :) Damn kids today!!!
> With all this talk about the Virginia Reel, I was thinking
> back to Chippewa Lake Park (defunct park in Ohio). I think
> that I was there when I was really young but was too young
> to board any exciting rides. I remember there were some
> flying cages (I think they were called). I know there are
> pics of the defunct park and the rusted cages are still
> there.
> I remember that they were like a big swing and you could go
> over the top. Is there anybody who remembers these? It
> seems like they would be a cool ride today, as you don't
> see many manual rides. Maybe good for a park just starting
> out.
> Anybody old enough to remember? I am pushing 40, but I know
> some of you are as old as me.
Blackpool and Southport had The Swingin' Gym!!..Went on it once at the age of 12 and failed miserably with my mate to swing it over..Spent the rest of the day trying to get my breath back while big meaty guy steps in the cage we vacated and wows the women with an Up an Over almost immediately.
We nicknamed him Swinging Jim :-)
Under the name of Gladiators this type of ride made a brief appearance outside the Blackpool Pleasure Beach (on the prom) about 3 years ago for one season only..I've got a picture somewhere so I'll see if I can find it and post it..in the meantime if you scroll down this link you can see a picture of a cage
Cheers!
Gary
at 6/19/06 6:07:47 AM
I rode them at Idora Park when I was a kid and at carnivals. I doubt you would ever see them make a return due to insurance. I can remember getting them going so fast that I got tired, lost my grip and ended up sitting on the floor...and bouncing around. It is probably no coincidence that the one at Idora sat very near the first aid station! I also remember my wimpy cousin getting sick on a carnival version after a couple of loops causing my ride to end prematurely, I was not happy!
They were a lot of fun though, and one of my favorite rides.
Rick
The Official Web Site of the Darkride and Funhouse Enthusiasts
> I rode them at Idora Park when I was a kid and at
> carnivals. I doubt you would ever see them make a return
> due to insurance.
Actually, you can still ride them at Oktoberfest and some other European fairs.
Adam
at 6/19/06 9:30:18 AM
> Ed, thank you for the link! And yes, I do agree not
> everyone knows what I'm talking about, including me. Now
> one more question, could they ever bring such a ride back
> from the grave, or was it too dangerous?
> Tim.
HELLO TIM, I definitely am not that old. I have no idea if it was dangerous or not :) Damn kids today!!!
Ed, quit kidding yourself, you rode the Top! Did that have some breakage as well?
Tim.
at 6/19/06 3:40:38 PM
> Actually, you can still ride them at Oktoberfest and some
> other European fairs.
> Adam
True, but I think the original email implied seeing them again as a new ride in the US. If Knoebel's doesn't do it, no one will!
Rick
The Official Web Site of the Darkride and Funhouse Enthusiasts
> With all this talk about the Virginia Reel, I was thinking
> back to Chippewa Lake Park (defunct park in Ohio). I think
> that I was there when I was really young but was too young
> to board any exciting rides. I remember there were some
> flying cages (I think they were called). I know there are
> pics of the defunct park and the rusted cages are still
> there.
> I remember that they were like a big swing and you could go
> over the top. Is there anybody who remembers these? It
> seems like they would be a cool ride today, as you don't
> see many manual rides. Maybe good for a park just starting
> out.
> Anybody old enough to remember? I am pushing 40, but I know
> some of you are as old as me.
> MarathonRunner
>
If I am thinking of the same ride you're thing of. There county fairs usually had at least two. I was 10 years old when I tried to get on one of those with my sister. We could not get up enough speed to get the car to swing, even when the carnival guy pushed us. My older brothers got theirs to swing over the top, and then sat on the floor until it stopped swinging.
apparently the sudden downward motion made them both sick.
The falling star ride is pretty much the same idea, only more controlled...with people sitting instead of standing.
> With all this talk about the Virginia Reel, I was thinking
> back to Chippewa Lake Park (defunct park in Ohio). I think
> that I was there when I was really young but was too young
> to board any exciting rides. I remember there were some
> flying cages (I think they were called). I know there are
> pics of the defunct park and the rusted cages are still
> there.
> I remember that they were like a big swing and you could go
> over the top. Is there anybody who remembers these? It
> seems like they would be a cool ride today, as you don't
> see many manual rides. Maybe good for a park just starting
> out.
> Anybody old enough to remember? I am pushing 40, but I know
> some of you are as old as me.
> MarathonRunner
A swinging gym is the type of ride that makes a good backyard thrill ride. All it is is a swing and if you keep the stopping brake off you wouldn't need an operator. Just lock the door and start swinging. When you get tired have a seat on the floor until the ride stop swinging that unlock the door to get out. Just don't let any of your house guest ride without signing a release!
>
I saw a set of these just last weekend at my church festival. I watched a "carny" setup the ride, hop in, and have it swinging over the top in no time. I never saw a guest get even close the whole weekend. I even saw them let a group of 3 or 4 kids pile into one once!
Looked like too much work for me...
Roger
Here is a link to one of my mates sites. I think this will help anybody who doesn't quite understand the concept of the ride, interesting info about the ride too. Looks pretty fun.
http://www.ride-extravaganza.com/rides/swingin_gym/
Shaun
Who has just came back from his first trip to the USA and rode his first wooden and first B&M coaster ;) (Ghost rider and Silver bullet) :)
at 6/28/06 7:52:29 PM
> Here is a link to one of my mates sites. I think this will
> help anybody who doesn't quite understand the concept of
> the ride, interesting info about the ride too. Looks pretty
> fun.
> http://www.ride-extravaganza.com/rides/swingin_gym/ Shaun
> Who has just came back from his first trip to the USA and
> rode his first wooden and first B&M coaster ;) (Ghost rider
> and Silver bullet) :)
>
Thanks for the link. Great site and great pics.
:)
-Gary
at 10/20/08 3:32:04 PM
I certainly remember the Flying Cages...I was the manager of one in 1968 at Palisades Amusement Park....I also have the destinction of having ZERO injuries during the entire season...my boss who was the Park's superintendent...John Rinaldi....hooked me up with his insurance company at the end of the season who wanted to know what we did to prevent any claims from coming forth....simple to do....give instructions before boarding...shout at them NOT TO GET UP if they fell inside the cage and to put padding inside the affected areas....and did I mention the boss had a record profit that year because I handled the cash at entry and took all of 15 cents for myself....I would love to ride one of them now if I could find one and I'm 63...btw..Wildwood NJ has awesome coasters.
I am looking for a film clip of the flying cages in use ... my cousin and I rode them on the boardwalk at Seaside Park. Even as small kids, we learned how to create the momentum necessary to get the cages over the top - once up and over it was easy to keep them in circulation. Size and weight are not really issues - I could do it myself and the two of us together probably didn't weigh 100 lbs. I know film is unlikely but if anyone can direct me it would be much appreciated.
Not Seaside Park but if you click the link below it shows a 5 min clip of a set of Swinging Gyms in action at a UK Steam Fair last year!!
I found myself moving while watching in an effort to help them get the cage over the top :-)
Some guy eventually gets his cage over approx 3 mins into the clip.
There are a couple of other vids to view on the right hand side of the page as well.
Cheers
Gary
* This Post Has Been Modified *
> I remember that they were like a big swing and you could go
> Anybody old enough to remember? I am pushing 40, but I know
> MarathonRunner
Yup. I remember them well. I'm in my mid fifties now, but when I was between 12 and 18 I spent the summers at Seaside Park, New Jersey. I don't remember my record, but I know I broke 100 revolutions. Once you got in a groove you could go forever if the "operator" would let you. When times were slow, they were pretty cool about it. Thanks for the memory! ~ SeasideLes
I remember there were some
> flying cages (I think they were called). I know there are
> pics of the defunct park and the rusted cages are still
> there.
> over the top. Is there anybody who remembers these? It
> seems like they would be a cool ride today, as you don't
> see many manual rides. Maybe good for a park just starting
> out.
> some of you are as old as me.
>
I am almost certain that My Father took Me,and My brother Chuck on one of these when I was about 6 or 7. It was at a local carnival. We never went over the top, as I became terrified that it would flip us.
If it was not this ride, it was something very close.
Chuck???
