Virginia Reels

Does anyone remember the Virginia Reel rides at Coney Island and elsewhere?

I never got to ride one but from what I could see, it was a type of side friction coaster with a gradual and continuous gradient and numerous turns and with round cars that spun -- sort of like those Intamin white water raft rides minus the H2O but with sharp turns like a Wildmouse and more speed.

I wonder if any new ones will be built in the future. This might be another good project for Knoebels once the Flying Turns are completed.

Online there's a [very short] video clip of Coney's Reel and I think a better [and longer] one of Blackpools, which IIRC was the last remaining and operated until the mid-80s. Try a google search.

Not likely with steel spinners out now.

Funny...until last year people would say the same thing about the wooden Flying Turns, pointing to steel Bobsled coasters as evidence.

Invy has a NoLimits recreation of the Blackpool Reel. It gives you a good idea of how fun these were. I wouldn't be surprised if Knoebels' next classic ride resurection is a virginia reel. :)

---

Mamoosh said:
Funny...until last year people would say the same thing about the wooden Flying Turns, pointing to steel Bobsled coasters as evidence.

---

Exactly. Plus, the Virginia Reel looks as if it would give a different ride experience from today's spinners as the riders are situated sitting around a round tub facing inwards.

I seem to remember Arrow experimenting with an updated version...or was that just my imagination? I would LOVE to have ridden Coney's.

Yeah, Arrow was working on one with a train of spinning tubs. I'm surprised that didn't come to fruition.

It did...but from Mack ;)

I'd love to try a Virginia Reel some day. Add that to the growing list of rides Knoebel's "needs", just behind the wooden wildmouse. (Actually, maybe AHEAD of the wooden mouse --I've actually been on those ;) )

A lot of good pics on this site: VR

http://www.themagiceye.co.uk/reel.html

By the way, does anyone out there have credits from riding Virginia Reels back when they still operated?

---

Acoustic Viscosity said:
Invy has a NoLimits recreation of the Blackpool Reel. It gives you a good idea of how fun these were. I wouldn't be surprised if Knoebels' next classic ride resurection is a virginia reel. :)

---

Shhh Matt, it's a secret ;)

I did do a rough guesstimate recreation using the gerstlauer spinning coaster but it's not to scale or plan. If anyone wants the file I could upload it.

Arthur, I rode the Blackpool Reel many, many times over an eight or nine year period before it was demolished. It was a great fun ride at the entrance to the park and ideal as the first ride of the day - it had the giggle factor in abundance and often induced nervous laughter in some as you approached those hairpin bends at increasing speed... One of the best rides at the park in my opinion...

-Jimvy!

*** Edited 2/13/2007 9:04:34 PM UTC by invy***

Maybe this is what CP needs to replace Demon Drop

^I am envious, Jim ;) I would LOVE to see another Virginia Reel built here in the States, along with a Steeplechase. :)

-Tina

Neener neener neener Tina ;) Tell you what, if you rebuild the Reel over here I'll let you take our Steeplechase in return :)

Moosh - the video is still up but it seemed to be a bit slow streaming in firefox so possibly better viewed (at least on my lappy) in IE...

Here's the linkage - Pleasure Beach footage starts around the 55 second mark...

http://tinyurl.com/2k7nso

:)

edit: one of these days I'll include the link first time around lol

*** Edited 2/13/2007 9:39:45 PM UTC by invy***

---

Coasterkid200 said:
Not likely with steel spinners out now.

---

I can honestly say the two ride experiences cannot be compared like for like...

Not making ANY commments about Jim's "lappy".... ;)

But a Virginia Reel would be MIGHTY sweet...although I'd be *shocked* if anyone other than Knoebels built one...

Kinzel built Disaster Trasport. He might be crazy enough to build a reel.

^My thoughts exactly. ;)

-Tina