RollercoasterRob wrote:

After a bit of research, I think I have found the Mississippi Showboat! And yes it still lives on in even greater glory than it did at Alton Towers! The time that the boat left Alton Towers, another boat with a strikingly similar resemblance popped up at another theme park in the south of Spain. Tivoli World, which is a small theme park about 45 years of age is where I believe that the showboat now resides. You will notice that the boat has been repainted and the old canopy on the top has been removed but after close inspection, the boats more intricate details remain exactly the same! This is the same theme park that recently appeared in the Meercat Movies advert!

CLICK FOR IMAGES
http://blog.fuertehoteles.com/wp-conten ... -World.jpg
http://assets.archivhadas.es/system/ima ... 1282807357
http://previews.123rf.com/images/quasar ... -Photo.jpg

I make a visit to Tivoli World every few years, and have just come back from my most recent trip! They really have kept it in good condition, and I knew I recognised it from somewhere

DannyG wrote:

RollercoasterRob wrote:

After a bit of research, I think I have found the Mississippi Showboat! And yes it still lives on in even greater glory than it did at Alton Towers! The time that the boat left Alton Towers, another boat with a strikingly similar resemblance popped up at another theme park in the south of Spain. Tivoli World, which is a small theme park about 45 years of age is where I believe that the showboat now resides. You will notice that the boat has been repainted and the old canopy on the top has been removed but after close inspection, the boats more intricate details remain exactly the same! This is the same theme park that recently appeared in the Meercat Movies advert!

CLICK FOR IMAGES
http://blog.fuertehoteles.com/wp-conten ... -World.jpg
http://assets.archivhadas.es/system/ima ... 1282807357
http://previews.123rf.com/images/quasar ... -Photo.jpg

I make a visit to Tivoli World every few years, and have just come back from my most recent trip! They really have kept it in good condition, and I knew I recognised it from somewhere

Is this Tivoli World in Benalmadena, Spain? I went to Benalmadena the other year and Tivoli World looked awful

Liam.W wrote:

DannyG wrote:

RollercoasterRob wrote:

After a bit of research, I think I have found the Mississippi Showboat! And yes it still lives on in even greater glory than it did at Alton Towers! The time that the boat left Alton Towers, another boat with a strikingly similar resemblance popped up at another theme park in the south of Spain. Tivoli World, which is a small theme park about 45 years of age is where I believe that the showboat now resides. You will notice that the boat has been repainted and the old canopy on the top has been removed but after close inspection, the boats more intricate details remain exactly the same! This is the same theme park that recently appeared in the Meercat Movies advert!

CLICK FOR IMAGES
http://blog.fuertehoteles.com/wp-conten ... -World.jpg
http://assets.archivhadas.es/system/ima ... 1282807357
http://previews.123rf.com/images/quasar ... -Photo.jpg

I make a visit to Tivoli World every few years, and have just come back from my most recent trip! They really have kept it in good condition, and I knew I recognised it from somewhere

Is this Tivoli World in Benalmadena, Spain? I went to Benalmadena the other year and Tivoli World looked awful

Yes that's the one. The state and quality of the park has fluctuated over the years I've visited, but this year the park was incredibly clean and tidy and it looks like a lot of the park has had TLC. Just needs a new ride now

Not posted on here for a long time! Think I've worked out the histories for most of Alton's past rides (including a few pre-1980 attractions) and their subsequent lives. It is a bit wordy, but hopefully interesting

Codes at the beginning of the ride history (e.g. TS19) are those used by the National Fairground Archive, and typing these in the search box at http://cdm15847.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ ... 15847coll3 brings up images of the ride (where available).

Mondial (Netherlands) - Super Nova (1 of 2 in U.K.)

TS19 – Alton Towers [1995], Scrapped? [2004]


HUSS (Germany) - Top Spin (1 of 3 in U.K.)

TS22 – Alton Towers [1997], Scrapped (parts to Heide Park, Germany) [Mar 2016]


Weber (Germany) - Dream Boat (Ranger) (1 of 5/6 in U.K.)

V33 – Alton Towers [1983], Brian Collins (Atlas Park, Clacton-on-Sea) [1984], Pat Collins (Barry Island) [1985], Exported [‘80s?]


HUSS (Germany) - Breakdance (1 of 4 in U.K.)

BD12 – Alton Towers [1993], Mondial [2004], Hoefnagels (Netherlands) [c.2006]


HUSS (Germany) - Troika (1 of 3/4 in U.K.)

TR2a – Adventureland, New York (USA) [1976]???, Alton Towers [1984], Bufkens (Belgium) [1990], Unknown [end 1991], Kongeparken (Norway) [1997]


HUSS (Germany) - Tri-Star (1 of 2 in U.K.)

TR3 – De Vries (Holland) [1977], Alton Towers [1991], Pleasure Island (Cleethorpes) [1993], Flamingoland [1995], Pleasurewood Hills [2005]


Zierer (Germany) - Ferris Wheel (1 of 1 in U.K.)

GW21 – Berger (Germany) [1976], Trentham Gardens [1984], Alton Towers [1985], Packed-up [1987], M & D Taylor [1988], Exported [1989]


Maxwell (U.K.) - Waltzer (1 of 59 in U.K.)

W76 – Brian Collins (Alton Towers) [Jan 1979] (Atlas Park, Clacton-On-Sea) [Mar 1984], Keith Emmett (Sandy Bay, Devon) [1987], Albert Heal (Peter Pan’s Playground, Brighton) [1988], Ted Harrison (Clacton Pier) [1995], Billy & Elliot Ball (Clacton Pier) [Mar 2009]


Hayes Fabrications (U.K.). - Ghost Train (1 of at least 10)

GT24 – Duggie Drake [1966], Swaley Remblance [end 1973], Brian Collins (Alton Towers) [end 1975], Harry Steer [end 1979], Charlie Wright [Oct 1981], Burnt Out


Savage (U.K.) - Gallopers (1 of at least 36 in U.K.)

G54 – Daniel Cooper [1897], Savage [by 1911], William Matthews, Tom Smith [1913], Mrs. Smith [1946], Packed-up [1953], Arthur Bates (not used) [1957], Billy Bagnall [1957], Brian Collins (Alton Towers) [1964], Michael Goss (Clacton Pier) [1979], J.E.A. Manning [1983], Exported


Peter Petz (Germany) - Gallopers (1 of 2 in U.K.)

G? – Thorpe Park [1990], Alton Towers [2000], Exported [end 2005]


Orton & Spooner (U.K.) - Dodgems (1 of at least 27 in U.K.)

DG321 – J. H. Shaw [by 1936], Brian Collins (Alton Towers) [c.’60s], Unknown [c.1976]


Ivan Bennett (U.K.) - Water Chute (1 of 1 in U.K.)

WC – Brian Collins (Alton Towers) [c.1979], Stored [end 1979], Helters Ltd. (Pleasureland Southport) [1983], Scrapped [‘00s]


Supercar (U.K.) - Track Ride (1 of over 50 in U.K.)

* - Alton Towers [1983], Scrapped [2006]


A.R.M. (U.K.) - Gravitron (Rotor) (1 of 3 in U.K.)

GV1 - Alton Towers [1990], Pleasure Island (Cleethorpes) [1993]


Ivan Bennett (U.K.) - Astroglide (1 of over 20 in U.K.)

* - Brian Collins (Alton Towers) [by 1975], Alton Towers [1980], Scrapped??? or Pleasure Island (Cleethorpes)??? [end 1992]


Vekoma (Netherlands) - MK1200 Corkscrew with Bayerncurve Rollercoaster (1 of 2 in U.K.)

RC351 - Alton Towers [Apr 1980], Scrapped [end 2008]


Vekoma (Netherlands) - Wild Mouse Rollercoaster (1 of 1 in U.K.)

RC - Wiener Prater (Austria) [1985], Alton Towers [1988], Exported [end 1991], Idlewild & SoakZone (USA) [May 1993]


Zierer (Germany) - Four Man Bob/Flitzer Rollercoaster (1 of 3 in U.K.)

RC515 – Ludewigt (Germany) [1975], Traumland Park (Germany) [1983], John Broome (Trentham Gardens) [1984], Alton Towers [1985], Stored [1991], Pleasure Island (Cleethorpes) [1993], Stored [1996], Flamingoland [1998], Bembom Rides (Grove Land) [2002], Bembom Rides (Stored) [2004], Bembom Rides (Loudoun Castle] [2010], SBNO (For Sale) [end 2010]


Pinfari (Italy) - MD31 Rollercoaster (1 of 4 in U.K.)

JRC55 – Alton Towers [1983], Stored [end 2010], Walter Murphy [2013]


Pinfari (Italy) - MB28 Rollercoaster (1 of at least 12 in U.K.)

JRC – Alton Towers [1982], Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach [1998]


Schwarzkopf (Germany) - Jet Star III Rollercoaster (1 of 1 in U.K.)

RC303 – Gropengiesser (Germany) [1971], Rick & Loffelhardt (Germany) [c.1973], Morey’s Piers (New Jersey, USA) [1976], Alton Towers [1988], Exported [end 1997], Divertido (Mexico City), Salitre Magico (Colombia) [2010]


Schwarzkopf (Germany) - Jet Star II Rollercoaster (1 of 2/3 in U.K.)

RC305 – Wiener Prater (Austria) [c.1972], Grona Lund (Sweden) [1982], Alton Towers [1984], Stored [2005], Furuvik (Sweden) [May 2011]


Schwarzkopf (Germany) - Flywheel Shuttle Loop Rollercoaster (1 of 1 in U.K.)

RC – Kings Dominion (USA) [1977], Jolly Roger AP (USA) [1987], Alton Towers [1990], Stored [Nov 1996], Hopi Hari (Brazil) [1999]


Zierer (Germany) - Flying Carpet (1 of 5 in U.K.)

FP2 – Kinzler & Muller (Germany) [1982], Alton Towers [1984], Zierer [1985], Matt & Doug Taylor (Strathclyde) [Oct 1985]


British Chairlifts (U.K.) - Cablecars (1 of 9/10 in U.K.)

* - Alton Towers [1963], Scrapped??? or parts to Flamingoland??? [end 1986]


Hennecke (Germany) - Juvenile Roundabout

* - Walldorf (Germany), Alton Towers [1985], Unknown [end 1999]


C.A.H. (Netherlands) - Polyp (2 of approx. 9 in U.K.)

PY4 – Trentham Gardens [c.1984], Alton Towers [1986], Exported [end 1991]

PY5 – Erwin Ahrend (Germany) [1981]???, Alton Towers [1984], Exported [end 1992]

RollercoasterRob wrote:

After a bit of research, I think I have found the Mississippi Showboat! And yes it still lives on in even greater glory than it did at Alton Towers! The time that the boat left Alton Towers, another boat with a strikingly similar resemblance popped up at another theme park in the south of Spain. Tivoli World, which is a small theme park about 45 years of age is where I believe that the showboat now resides. You will notice that the boat has been repainted and the old canopy on the top has been removed but after close inspection, the boats more intricate details remain exactly the same! This is the same theme park that recently appeared in the Meercat Movies advert!

Oh, and the Alton Mississippi Showboat was actually relocated a lot closer to home at Brean Leisure Park in Somerset. I know for sure it was still there as late as 1998. Absolutely loads of those showboats were knocked out in the 1970s and 1980s, most of them to almost identical designs.

Jason_165 wrote:

Not posted on here for a long time! Think I've worked out the histories for most of Alton's past rides (including a few pre-1980 attractions) and their subsequent lives. It is a bit wordy, but hopefully interesting

Thanks for this information Jason, I really enjoyed reading through it!

It's quite easy to forget the amount of flat rides that passed through Towers in the early years. It would be nice if they could go back to the old ways and start adding new ones rather than just taking them out and replacing them with dodgy pay per play things. Forbidden Sweep *shudders*.

Out of interest, who is Brian Collins??

Jason_165 wrote:

Not posted on here for a long time! Think I've worked out the histories for most of Alton's past rides (including a few pre-1980 attractions) and their subsequent lives. It is a bit wordy, but hopefully interesting

Codes at the beginning of the ride history (e.g. TS19) are those used by the National Fairground Archive, and typing these in the search box at http://cdm15847.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ ... 15847coll3 brings up images of the ride (where available).

Mondial (Netherlands) - Super Nova (1 of 2 in U.K.)

TS19 – Alton Towers [1995], Scrapped? [2004]


HUSS (Germany) - Top Spin (1 of 3 in U.K.)

TS22 – Alton Towers [1997], Scrapped (parts to Heide Park, Germany) [Mar 2016]


Weber (Germany) - Dream Boat (Ranger) (1 of 5/6 in U.K.)

V33 – Alton Towers [1983], Brian Collins (Atlas Park, Clacton-on-Sea) [1984], Pat Collins (Barry Island) [1985], Exported [‘80s?]


HUSS (Germany) - Breakdance (1 of 4 in U.K.)

BD12 – Alton Towers [1993], Mondial [2004], Hoefnagels (Netherlands) [c.2006]


HUSS (Germany) - Troika (1 of 3/4 in U.K.)

TR2a – Adventureland, New York (USA) [1976]???, Alton Towers [1984], Bufkens (Belgium) [1990], Unknown [end 1991], Kongeparken (Norway) [1997]


HUSS (Germany) - Tri-Star (1 of 2 in U.K.)

TR3 – De Vries (Holland) [1977], Alton Towers [1991], Pleasure Island (Cleethorpes) [1993], Flamingoland [1995], Pleasurewood Hills [2005]


Zierer (Germany) - Ferris Wheel (1 of 1 in U.K.)

GW21 – Berger (Germany) [1976], Trentham Gardens [1984], Alton Towers [1985], Packed-up [1987], M & D Taylor [1988], Exported [1989]


Maxwell (U.K.) - Waltzer (1 of 59 in U.K.)

W76 – Brian Collins (Alton Towers) [Jan 1979] (Atlas Park, Clacton-On-Sea) [Mar 1984], Keith Emmett (Sandy Bay, Devon) [1987], Albert Heal (Peter Pan’s Playground, Brighton) [1988], Ted Harrison (Clacton Pier) [1995], Billy & Elliot Ball (Clacton Pier) [Mar 2009]


Hayes Fabrications (U.K.). - Ghost Train (1 of at least 10)

GT24 – Duggie Drake [1966], Swaley Remblance [end 1973], Brian Collins (Alton Towers) [end 1975], Harry Steer [end 1979], Charlie Wright [Oct 1981], Burnt Out


Savage (U.K.) - Gallopers (1 of at least 36 in U.K.)

G54 – Daniel Cooper [1897], Savage [by 1911], William Matthews, Tom Smith [1913], Mrs. Smith [1946], Packed-up [1953], Arthur Bates (not used) [1957], Billy Bagnall [1957], Brian Collins (Alton Towers) [1964], Michael Goss (Clacton Pier) [1979], J.E.A. Manning [1983], Exported


Peter Petz (Germany) - Gallopers (1 of 2 in U.K.)

G? – Thorpe Park [1990], Alton Towers [2000], Exported [end 2005]


Orton & Spooner (U.K.) - Dodgems (1 of at least 27 in U.K.)

DG321 – J. H. Shaw [by 1936], Brian Collins (Alton Towers) [c.’60s], Unknown [c.1976]


Ivan Bennett (U.K.) - Water Chute (1 of 1 in U.K.)

WC – Brian Collins (Alton Towers) [c.1979], Stored [end 1979], Helters Ltd. (Pleasureland Southport) [1983], Scrapped [‘00s]


Supercar (U.K.) - Track Ride (1 of over 50 in U.K.)

* - Alton Towers [1983], Scrapped [2006]


A.R.M. (U.K.) - Gravitron (Rotor) (1 of 3 in U.K.)

GV1 - Alton Towers [1990], Pleasure Island (Cleethorpes) [1993]


Ivan Bennett (U.K.) - Astroglide (1 of over 20 in U.K.)

* - Brian Collins (Alton Towers) [by 1975], Alton Towers [1980], Scrapped??? or Pleasure Island (Cleethorpes)??? [end 1992]


Vekoma (Netherlands) - MK1200 Corkscrew with Bayerncurve Rollercoaster (1 of 2 in U.K.)

RC351 - Alton Towers [Apr 1980], Scrapped [end 2008]


Vekoma (Netherlands) - Wild Mouse Rollercoaster (1 of 1 in U.K.)

RC - Wiener Prater (Austria) [1985], Alton Towers [1988], Exported [end 1991], Idlewild & SoakZone (USA) [May 1993]


Zierer (Germany) - Four Man Bob/Flitzer Rollercoaster (1 of 3 in U.K.)

RC515 – Ludewigt (Germany) [1975], Traumland Park (Germany) [1983], John Broome (Trentham Gardens) [1984], Alton Towers [1985], Stored [1991], Pleasure Island (Cleethorpes) [1993], Stored [1996], Flamingoland [1998], Bembom Rides (Grove Land) [2002], Bembom Rides (Stored) [2004], Bembom Rides (Loudoun Castle] [2010], SBNO (For Sale) [end 2010]


Pinfari (Italy) - MD31 Rollercoaster (1 of 4 in U.K.)

JRC55 – Alton Towers [1983], Stored [end 2010], Walter Murphy [2013]


Pinfari (Italy) - MB28 Rollercoaster (1 of at least 12 in U.K.)

JRC – Alton Towers [1982], Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach [1998]


Schwarzkopf (Germany) - Jet Star III Rollercoaster (1 of 1 in U.K.)

RC303 – Gropengiesser (Germany) [1971], Rick & Loffelhardt (Germany) [c.1973], Morey’s Piers (New Jersey, USA) [1976], Alton Towers [1988], Exported [end 1997], Divertido (Mexico City), Salitre Magico (Colombia) [2010]


Schwarzkopf (Germany) - Jet Star II Rollercoaster (1 of 2/3 in U.K.)

RC305 – Wiener Prater (Austria) [c.1972], Grona Lund (Sweden) [1982], Alton Towers [1984], Stored [2005], Furuvik (Sweden) [May 2011]


Schwarzkopf (Germany) - Flywheel Shuttle Loop Rollercoaster (1 of 1 in U.K.)

RC – Kings Dominion (USA) [1977], Jolly Roger AP (USA) [1987], Alton Towers [1990], Stored [Nov 1996], Hopi Hari (Brazil) [1999]


Zierer (Germany) - Flying Carpet (1 of 5 in U.K.)

FP2 – Kinzler & Muller (Germany) [1982], Alton Towers [1984], Zierer [1985], Matt & Doug Taylor (Strathclyde) [Oct 1985]


British Chairlifts (U.K.) - Cablecars (1 of 9/10 in U.K.)

* - Alton Towers [1963], Scrapped??? or parts to Flamingoland??? [end 1986]


Hennecke (Germany) - Juvenile Roundabout

* - Walldorf (Germany), Alton Towers [1985], Unknown [end 1999]


C.A.H. (Netherlands) - Polyp (2 of approx. 9 in U.K.)

PY4 – Trentham Gardens [c.1984], Alton Towers [1986], Exported [end 1991]

PY5 – Erwin Ahrend (Germany) [1981]???, Alton Towers [1984], Exported [end 1992]

Brian Collins was the showman that operated the fairground at Alton Towers before it went in the 'theme park' direction. He went on to operate Atlas Park (the former Butlin's camp at Clacton-on-Sea) for its only season in 1984.

He was part of the Collins family - famous fairground and amusement park operators in this country. I believe he was related in some way to Pat & John Collins, who operated Barry Island Pleasure Park in its heyday. Interesting as John Wardley's early creations "Uncle Frankenstein's Scream Machine", "Jungle Ride", "Whacky Goldmine" and "Log Flume" were a collaboration with Pat & John at Barry Island.

Okay, so I was just playing around on Google Maps when I randomly clicked on a location around near Stoke-on-Trent. To my surprise I had actually clicked accurately on Staffordshire without knowing it and was automatically directed to that page. Looking through some images I found this one:

Make what you want of it, but it can't be a coincidence can it that this old showboat is lying around in some random pond in Staffordshire can it? Of course, this image may actually have just been incorrectly uploaded to Google so I was just wondering if anyone one already knew anything about this or not.  

That is a photo of the Showboat at Drayton Manor, it was in operation as a fun house up until the late 1990's, and has remained in situ albeit closed since then. They used to be very common across theme parks.

Ahh right! I'm not that familiar with Drayton Manor really. Its surprising how many there are! Never mind!

Brian Collins is my grandad, and knows the history of almost all of the rides from his time at Alton, but you have seemed to have filled in the gaps that he was missing thank you. It has been great being able to show him where some of the others have gone!

First if all, welcome to the forum, Siobhan218.

How cool is that to have someone who was involved in the early days of Alton's history as a theme park. It would be great to hear more of his memories!