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Jimmy O'Brien's Ark/Waltzer convertible
- 8-27-2009
O'Brien's Waltzer
Now in its 50th season, Jimmy O'Brien's Ark/Waltzer convertible was built by Maxwells of Musselburgh in 1960 and is still in pretty much original condition - even the platforms are original and still have the holes for the Ark guardrails. When the machine was new it travelled mainly around the towns of Angus (Brechin, Carnoustie, Forfar, Kirriemuir, Alyth etc) It also spent the summer holiday season on the seafront at Arbroath, which is where I first saw the machine in 1974 (I remember they were playing the album "Band on the run" by Wings which was quite unusual as all other rides I had known had always played singles).
In 1977, The Waltzer became permanently located indoors at Arbroath in a purpose built complex, where it still resides today. The Maxwell wooden bikes were sold to Lancashire showman Victor Manders in 1978 and the ride has operated as a Waltzer ever since.