LAST OF THE SIDE FRICTIONS
By Andrew Edwards
We all know that coasters come in all shapes, sizes and designs, some of us love the multi-looping steel monsters that are a staple of modern amusement parks others prefer the creak, rattle and roll of a traditional wooden coaster however, when you strip down the logistics of most coasters they all work on the same principle, gravity.
These gravity rides may have changed in appearance over the years but the technology used to keep a coaster car firmly on the tracks have changed very little since the 1920’s. It was during the 20’s that a designer by the name of John Miller came up with the invention of ‘under wheels’ a system which ensures the cars remain fixed to the track by utilising wheels both on top of the track and under it.
This development ensured the coaster car could not leave its course and resulted in coasters being built taller, faster and more twisted than previously dared.
However, before this invention roller coasters operated in a very different way, with the car running in a trough with the wheels under the car and side plates to keep the cars on course.
This system was known as the ‘Side Friction’ coaster and until the invention of the under wheel almost every coaster built operated on this principle.
From the late 1880s every park worth its weight in salt had a roller coaster to entice the paying public to visit its park. From the early days of the simple Switchback railways the true continuous track coaster was born in the shape of Scenic Railways and Figure Eight side friction coasters. In theory the cars on these coasters could leave the track if they cornered too quickly or encountered too steep a drop. To prevent this the Figure Eight style coasters tended to be smaller compact rides with single 4 seat cars that descended from the lift hill on a mild undulating track in a figure of eight rotation until returning to the station. The Scenic Railways were larger often well themed and offered multi-car trains that encountered bigger drops and higher speeds on much longer tracks. To allow these bigger thrills the trains employed a ‘Brake Man’ who rode the train usually in the middle or towards the back of the train. His job was to slow the train particularly on bends and corners when the train had picked up too much speed from the steeper drops. This prevented the trains from leaving the track and gave the brakeman the control needed to ensure the trains and its passengers returned to the station safely. The Scenics were the fastest and most popular rides of their day but with the invention of the under wheel, their days were numbered.
The public have always wanted newer, bigger and faster rides and the Roller Coaster was no exception. With the 1920’s and 1930’s came the change and very few Side Friction coasters were built after this time. As the public craved for the new coasters of the day many Scenics were removed or were transformed to Under Wheel based rides and almost all the Figure Eights were erased forever . Today we are left with just 2 Figure Eights and 8* Scenics (2 of which were built after the 1940s). These rides represent a special place in the history and development of the Roller Coaster, and although two of these are very much in danger of being lost forever, the growing amount of enthusiasts throughout the world will hopefully ensure that most of these rides will survive for several more generations.
Detailed below are those remaining Side Friction coasters that have survived and continue to operate much to the delight of myself and to the many enthusiasts who have had the chance to take a ride on them. I also love the modern coasters and always welcome the news of a new coaster being built, but as a dedicated roller coaster enthusiast you cant beat the history and unique charm of these wonderful rides.
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Remaining Figure Eight Side Friction Coasters |
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| Leap The Dips | 1902 | Lakemont Park, Altoona, Pennsylvania |  |
Oldest roller coaster in the world. Built by the E.J Morris Company.. Was closed in 1985 due to its condition and lack of money to restore. Thanks to a campaign to restore the coaster to former glory it was fully restored and reopened in 1999 |
| Runaway Coaster | 1922 | Rotunda, Folkestone, Kent |  |
Located in a field in Holland in 1996 this coaster is the only other known example of the Figure Eight and is very similar to the Leap The Dips. For years it travelled as a touring ride in Europe. After its discovery was brought to Rotunda and restored, reopening in 1997. Now has an uncertain future with the sale and redevelopment of Rotunda in 2003 |
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Remaining Scenic Railway Side Friction Coasters |
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| Scenic Railway | 1912 | Luna Park, Melbourne, Victoria |  |
The worlds oldest continually operating coaster. Wonderfully maintained example. Brakeman operates between the two cars. Was fully restored in 1999 |
| Rutschebanen | 1914 | Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark |  |
One of only two Scenics to still utilise scenery surrounding the coaster track. In great condition in one of the worlds most beautiful parks. Brakeman sits between the two cars |
| Scenic Railway | 1920 | Dreamland, Margate, Kent | |
Britains oldest coaster and the most in danger after the close of Dreamland in 2002. The park it sits in may be rundown but this coaster is a classic. Brakeman sits between the first and second cars of the three car train |
| Hullamvasut | 1922 | Vidampark, Budapest, Hungary |  |
Another wonderful example and the oldest coaster in central Europe. Well maintained with the Brakeman operating from behind the first car in another three car train |
| Roller Coaster | 1929 | Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach, Norfolk | |
Originally opened in Paris in 1929 for the Colonial Exhibition and moved to Great Yarmouth in 1932. Originally called the 'Scenic Railway' This coaster has a massive 5,249 foot of track, still one of the longest wooden coasters in the world. Structure is covered but not themed, Brakeman operates from behind first car on the three car train |
| Rutschebanen | 1932 | Bakken, Klampenborg, Denmark | |
Possible the tallest Scenic in the world and certainly one of the best for sheer pace and thrills. Standing in the oldest Amusement park in the world. One of only three Scenics where the Brakemen operates from the back of the three car train |
| Hochschaubahn | 1950 | Prater Park, Vienna, Austria |  |
Although a very recent example and the smallest in size, it is by far the best true example of a fully themed Scenic Railway, that has been maintained with mountain scenes. Replaced the orginal ride that operated from 1909 - 1944 and was lost during World War II. Brakeman operates from the rear of the three car train |
| Vuoristorata | 1951 | Linnanmaki, Helsinki, FInland |  |
The newest and one of the tallest Scenics. Scandinavia has 3 of the remaining Scenics and this is one of the best, well paced with a great layout. Brakeman operates from the back of a four car train |
* Although there are only 8 original Scenic Railways operating on a wood track, a 9th Scenic Railway operates in Spain, using original Scenic Railways cars and utilizing a Brakeman. This coaster is the 'Montana Suiza' located at San Sebastian in Spain. The coaster was built in 1928 and is very unusual as a lot of the track runs on top of a stone wall, around and over a lake with fantastic views of the ocean. The track is now steel and I have no details on the year that the track was changed, however this coaster certainly deserves to be included as one of the 'Last of the Side Friction Coasters'.