Hi All,

I find a ride on a Eli Wheel to be one of the best experiences on the Midway.

When you have a ride jock that knows how to control the clutch it makes for a more interesting ride.

This was taken from an experience that Slim Price shared with me.

"On rides like the Tilt A Whirl, The Big Eli Ferris Wheel and several others with cars that spun on the track separately from the moving platform, there were ways to impart extra action. By pushing the clutch in extra hard the ride would gain a bit of speed (like overdrive) and by tapping the brake a little, it would slow down and some of the speed would be taken off. This combination could be used to snap the cars around quickly which made things a little more interesting for the riders, spilled a little lunch change under the seats, and added some fun for the operators."


If you would like to read a little more about the difference between the rides of the past and today here's a link.
http://www.knddesign.com/sc/atscarnivalrides.html 

The pictures below are of a Early Big Eli in England. It is still in operation today. It's motive power is an old stream tractor.

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From what I have been told about old wheels in England is they used to send them that fast you would be looking straight down as you went over the top!

Many riders used to put their hands behind the backs of the seats to brace them selves!

Here are some pictures of the two wheels that were owned by the Williams Brothers at Goose Fair from 1928 until 1994.




The pictures were taken in 1979 and 1982.

Pictures: All The Fun Of The Fair

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Hi All,

Just an after thought. Does anyone have any ride expericnces that you want to share? You know those peak expericences. The ones you would like to expericence again and again.

There is this old wooden Roller Coaster it was built in 1921 being one of the oldest in the country. It is at the Lagoon Amusement Park in Utah. It's not the biggest nor the fastest. But there isn't a time when I get on that ride, no matter how many times a day that I ride this Coaster, that it isn't one of the best rides I have ever been on in my life.

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Hi David,

Great Photos.

Been on a couple of Big Eli's where I thought I was going to die.
The operator had the seats rocking so hard that I thought we were going to fall out.

But you know, I got right back on that Big Wheel when it stop. It's the thrill of it all.

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quote:

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Utah Showman Posted - 08/05/2004 : 11:18:23 AM

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"The Big Eli Ferris Wheel and several others rides with cars that spun on the track separately from it's moving platform, there were ways to impart extra action. By pushing the clutch in extra hard the ride would gain a bit of speed (like overdrive) and by tapping the brake a little, it would slow down and some of the speed would be taken off. This combination could be used to snap the cars around quickly which made things a little more interesting for the riders, spilled a little lunch change under the seats, and added some fun for the operators".

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Sounds more like a Tilt-A-Whirl.

quote:

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Originally posted by Carnie_Joe930

quote:

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Utah Showman Posted - 08/05/2004 : 11:18:23 AM

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"The Big Eli Ferris Wheel and several others rides with cars that spun on the track separately from it's moving platform, there were ways to impart extra action. By pushing the clutch in extra hard the ride would gain a bit of speed (like overdrive) and by tapping the brake a little, it would slow down and some of the speed would be taken off. This combination could be used to snap the cars around quickly which made things a little more interesting for the riders, spilled a little lunch change under the seats, and added some fun for the operators".

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Sounds more like a Tilt-A-Whirl.

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I'd say thats a Tilt description if i ever heard one

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quote:

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Originally posted by BSA Mike

quote:

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Originally posted by Carnie_Joe930

Sounds more like a Tilt-A-Whirl.

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I'd say thats a Tilt description if i ever heard one

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Hi All,

Sure does, It sure could be or it could be a Big Eli Wheel.

"The Big Eli Ferris Wheel and several others...................."

"On rides like the Tilt A Whirl, The Big Eli Ferris Wheel and several others....................................................."



Sorry missed part of Slim's quote!

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The hurricanes that operate here (powers and midway rides of utica) seem to run extremely fast, unless its just me, i really enjoy riding them now and every time i come across one of the 2 hurricanes i just cant walk by without taking a ride! Its almost so fast that the last 20-30 seconds of the ride are hard to tolerate, however its the kind of thing that keeps you coming back for more!

Carefull, taking a ride on the BigEli has been proven to sometimes result in a LittleEli.

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quote:

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Posted - 08/06/2004 : 10:32:34 PM by bairbros

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Carefull, taking a ride on the BigEli has been proven to sometimes result on a LittleEli.

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LOL.... good one, Lance.....[:D][:D]

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"Careful, taking a ride on the Big Eli has been proven to sometimes result in a Little Eli."

Hi bairbros,

THAT WOULD BE SHOCKING AND AMAZING!!!!!!!

Little Eli,
Isn't it CUTE looks just like it's Father!!!

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