Victorian carousel gallops into Beamish museum (From The Northern Echo)

Victorian carousel gallops into Beamish museum

12:27pm Sunday 29th November 2009

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ONE of the country's finest surviving steam carousels made its debut to visitors at Beamish Museum this weekend.

The newly acquired "gallopers" were built in 1893 for William Beach, an ancestor of the current owners, by Savage of Kings Lynn, the pre-eminent Victorian fairground manufacturers.

The ride still has all of its original, hand-carved wooden horses, along with a steam centre engine, May Queen, and an 89 key Gavioli organ.

Previous owners, the Ayers family, have decided to retire from travelling with the gallopers and, after 116 years of ownership, agreed a deal with Beamish Museum, near Stanley, in County Durham.

A museum spokesman said: "Only seventy or so steam gallopers exist throughout the world, in varying states of originality or completeness, and this is probably one of the best examples in the country, as they are in remarkably original condition.

"The gallopers are being put to work at Beamish almost immediately. They are being temporarily rebuilt at Pockerley Waggonway, adjacent to Father Christmas's grotto, and will be offering rides every Saturday and Sunday throughout the 'Christmas at Beamish' season."

They are currently powered by electricity but soon they will be steam-driven.

The spokesman added: "Early in the New Year, the May Queen centre engine will have a complete overhaul and, by the beginning of the 2010 summer season, the carousel in all its magnificent glory will have a new, permanent home near the Beamish Edwardian Town."

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