Simon Baynham

Hi TPR Remember Chain Dog and Woodrow from the 1999 RCCA flyer? (image attached) Simon Chain Dog & Woodrow

Can't go wrong with WOODIE! Simon

Hi TPR. There's a few Conneaut Lake Park resources to be had. These from the Roller Coaster Media Library website: [bOOK 72] LEE O. BUSH & RICHARD F. HERSHEY: CONNEAUT LAKE PARK THE FIRST 100 YEARS. [1992] (22x28cm – 176 Pages – Many B&W photos). This publication celebrates and documents Conneaut Lake Park’s First 100 Years. See and read about the Wild Mouse, the elusive Blue Streak coaster, the Three Way Figure 8 Toboggan, the Scenic Railway and of the many other rides and attractions at this holiday destination. Selected Chapter Points: A Century Spanned; Rails and Sails; Games People Played; On with the Show; Taken for a Ride… [bOOK 221] MICHAEL E. COSTELLO: CONNEAUT LAKE PARK. [2005] (16x23cm – 128 Pages - Many B&W photos). In 1877 a humble boat landing was constructed on Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania’s largest natural lake. Colonel Frank Mantor, a visionary, discovered and purchased the property. In 1892, Exposition Park – a permanent fair exhibiting machines and livestock – was founded. Amusement rides were added alongside hotels, cottages, restaurants and other businesses. The resort grew into an amusement park and was renamed Conneaut Lake Park in 1920. Featuring many long-gone attractions including the Wild Mouse, Blue Streak, Tumble Bug, the Devil’s Den and more… [DVD 40] GREETINGS FROM CONNEAUT LAKE PARK. [DVD-R / 2002 / 45 MINS] If you’ve ever been to this quaintly familiar amusement resort, tucked deep in the hills of western Pennsylvania, you know that it’s a place like no other. This delightful documentary captures the Conneaut Lake Park experience and, at the same time, spark a few old memories. ANDY SHINE SAYS: A homemade documentary film detailing the turbulent history of the park. SHINE RATING: Fair / Good. Read you all soon Simon

Hi TPR Just watched the ^Mr Six advert^ for the first time, and it is seriously freaky. I bet the guy is in his thirties, and is wearing a prosthetic mask to make him appear like a pensioner... The result is too scary for words. Simon

Hi there. The Roller Coaster Media Library used to lend out books and films about amusement parks and roller coasters. However the service proved too popular and I was making several daily trips to the Post Office - it just got silly, and costly. The RCML website serves as a reference for all those park and coaster books you never knew existed. And enthusiasts, authors and film-makers are welcome to visit (Blackpool, UK) to conduct research into our favourite subject. One other place you might like to try is www.guntherhall.com You never know, you might get lucky. Read you soon Simon

Hi there Just been looking through the "Roller Coaster Media Library" for you. There's a B&W photo of Paragon's Giant Coaster (circa 1920) on page 79 of "A Century Of Fun - A Pictorial History Of New England Parks" by Bob Goldsack. Facts: Built by PTC for $100,000 as the world's largest coaster! Mile and half circuit (likely exaggerated) 1923 partially destroyed by fire 1932 completely overhauled. Always happy to help. Simon Baynham

Hi all (Double post, but probably just as well) Hey, Robb Alvey. Has TPR ever considered putting together a parks/coasters book? The origins/history of coasters has been done to death... but a large up-to-date glossy book with photos/statistics of current/new coasters would be most welcome. Just a thought Robb, as you already have a massive library of coaster photos - so why not put them together in a book? Put me down for a copy! Simon Baynham

Hi all This publication is rather involved and a bit out of the ordinary. It is a fascinating and eye-opening investigation into today's theme parks, their operation and their practices. A challenging and rewarding read. Simon ***** [bOOK 256] SALVADOR ANTON CLAVE: THE GLOBAL THEME PARK INDUSTRY. [2007] (17x24cm - 460 Pages). Since the 1980s, the theme park industry has developed into a global phenomenon, with everything from large, worldwide theme parks to countless smaller ventures. From the first pleasure gardens to the global theme park companies, this book provides an understanding of the nature and function of theme parks as spaces of entertainment, with comprehensive analyses of their operation, strategies, finance and marketing. This publication portrays the impacts of theme parks as global competitive actors, agents of global development and cultural symbols, particularly in the context of their role in the developing experience economy. Illustrated throughout by worldwide case studies, empirical data and practical examples, this book will be of interest to students in leisure and tourism management, and to practitioners in the industry, providing a practical guide to the planning and development of theme parks. *****

Hi TPR members A day or so early, perhaps, but do think you know all about 2009's roller coaster installations? Visit: www.rollercoastermedialibrary.com and click on 'Andy Shine's Page' and the 'January Quiz.' See if you can score 20/20 without raiding the vaults of RCDB! See how you do! Simon

Hi Robb Coasters In The Raw 1 (both disks) was just perfect: as there's a healthy balance between coaster footage and contributions from riders to camera. Coasters in the Raw 2 is perfect too, apart from early on in the woodies disk where I felt there was too much rider-input to camera. DVDs of just RAW coaster footage has been done before, and to be honest, I find that so bland. A healthy balance is what is needed, and you achieved that with RCitR1 Keep up the good work Robb. Simon Baynham (Geesh, I complain so much!)

Hi TPR I think I'm just difficult to please, Robb. In all fairness you do an excellent job, and I look forward to viewing Coasters in the Raw 3. Read you soon Simon B

Regarding Coasters In The Raw 2 I would have preferred less 'rider input' from the woodies disk. I enjoy watching the coasters and the POV, but rider's commenting to camera distracted my attention from the coaster riding experience. The steelies disk, I felt, was much better. The unique backwards-facing Nemesis POV is absolutely priceless! Evidence of a creative mind demonstrating inspired thinking. Thanks Robb for all you do Simon Baynham

Hi TPR readers I suspect the width of roller coaster trains were originally determined on the basis of two average people sat side-by-side. The addition of seat dividers in recent times has taken away the extra few centimetres, so that's probably why riders feel so cramped these days. So much for modernisation. Simon Baynham

Hi Even folks in sunny Blackpool (UK) can see this! Simon

Hi TPR members Do you know all about transportable spin rides and attractions? Visit: www.rollercoastermedialibrary.com and click on 'Andy Shine's December 2008 Quiz.' Have fun! See how you do! Simon

Hi TPR Members There's a DVD detailing the history of Luna Park, Sydney. Copies can be ordered from the park... see their website! ***** [DVD 14] SPIRITS OF THE CARNIVAL: LUNA PARK, THE QUEST FOR FUN. [DVD-R / 1995 / 58 MINS] People have always looked for ways to have fun. Sigmund Freud called it “The Pleasure Principal;” since 1912 Australians have called it ‘LUNA PARK.’ This is the story about the magic of amusement parks, and two men who built a city’s dream. Plagued by controversy, the dream of bringing pleasure to people was not easy. With each decade LUNA PARK had to compete with changing social values, advancing technology and the dream of a new age. Behind the smiling face lies a story of sweat, greed, competition and tragedy that very nearly destroyed the dream forever. ***** Simon Baynham

Hi all Surround yourself with coaster/park-related books and DVD documentaries. Visit amusement parks: talk to people, observe, learn and bring back ideas. Insight is a wonderful thing Simon

Hi TPR members Do you know all there is to know about amusement parks and roller coasters? Visit: www.rollercoastermedialibrary.com and click on 'Andy Shine's November 2008 Quiz.' See how you do. Simon

A common error, Moonsault Scramble (1983) was the first coaster to break the 200ft-tall barrier. My favourite coaster decade would probably have been the Golden Age of woodies - the 1920s. Ever thought that you were born in the wrong decade? Simon

Hi TPR Members Get hold of the DVD: "Knott's Berry Farm's Season of Screams." There's a whole chapter dedicated to sliding, including a technical segment explaining how to do it best: jumps, spins etc... This DVD is listed as DVD67 on the Roller Coaster Media Library webpage. Simon B

Hi TPR members Do you know all there is to know about amusement parks and roller coasters? Then why not tax your brain? Visit: www.rollercoastermedialibrary.com and play Andy Shine's October 2008 Quiz. Robb Alvey will score 20/20 here! See how you do. Simon

^Doesn't the write-up sound a tad sensationalist to you? I just thought I'd share it with TPR members so that they might form their own opinions. Nothing more... Simon

Hi TPR Members Perhaps you should all read this book! (Taken from: www.rollercoastermedialibrary.com) [bOOK 245I] JEFFREY P. STONEKING: THEME PARK SAFETY FAILURE$. [2008] (15x23cm - 102 Pages). From design flaws to cover-ups when deadly accidents occur, the squeaky-clean image of theme parks is plagued with circumstances park officials and ride manufacturers prefer the public not to be informed of. This book sheds a glaring beacon on issues and incidents that riders and attendees should be made fully aware of - that their lives are at an even greater risk than ever before. Since theme parks are constantly competing against one another with higher, bigger, and faster installations, safety issues are being totally disregarded with virtually no time for error. Warning: ride - and read at your own risk, as thrill rides are becoming kill rides. Chapter Points: Twist and Shout; Never!; Splat; Mousetrap; Identified Flying Objects; It Shouldn’t Do That!; What Goes Up. . .; Riff Raft; It Happens In 3’s; The “Marvellous” Son of Beast; Too High, Too Fast, Too Soon; A Cursed Name; A Ticket to Die. Simon Baynham

Hi TPR members Do you think you know all there is to know about amusement parks and roller coasters? Visit: www.rollercoastermedialibrary.com and click on the 'Andy Shine's September Quiz' link. See if you can score 20/20 first time without cheating. This month's quiz is centred on Alton Towers! Have fun! Simon

You can't deny that we have - thankfully - come a long way since, "Go For A Ride." Simon B