Rodeo Switchback

Name: Rodeo Switchback

Type of ride: Switchback

Manufacturer: Savage

History: Also known as Gondolas while at Six Flags Great Adventure, the ride was built in 1889 by Frederick Savage for James Pettigrove where he traveled the ride in various carnivals, it is the last remaining Spinning Top Switchback. William Wilson purchased the ride in 1905 travelling it until his death in 1942, when it passed to his son-in-law George Studd. It remained with his family until 1947, when it was sold to Billy Manning. During Wilsons’ ownership, it was extensively rebuilt, with Orton & Spooner building a complete new centre for the machine during the winter of 1926. A year later the steam centre engine was removed, when the ride was electrified by Allens. Billy Manning traveled the switchback occasionally, including visits to Nottingham Goose Fair and later opened at Clarence Pier, where it remained there until it was sold to Jimmy Williams in 1973. Williams restored the ride, and travelled it in 1974, selling it at the end of the season to the Six Flags Great Adventure where it operated for only one season until it was dismantled and put back in storage. Switchback Ventures was set up in 1982 to restore and operate the ride. It operated again at the Great Dorset Steam Fair in 1984, and continued to travel for seven years. In 1992 the decision was made to sell the ride, and in 1993 it was acquired by the FHT. They operated the ride at Hollycombe in 1994 and then operated at Dingles until it was placed back in storage.