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Thomas Walker 3 Abreast Gallopers c1980
Fairground Rides and Organs

Alongside the many steam engines, the museum is home to a collection of some very beaufiful early 19th century wooden fairground rides and equipment. The most spectacular of these is our Thomas Walker 3 abreast steam driven gallopers set (or carousel), which we are currently in the long process of restoring to full working glory.

Thomas Walker 3 Abreast Gallopers c1925

Built in Tewksbury in 1911, this is a truly magnificent set of gallopers, complete with its with original, hightly ornate carved wooden horses by Andersons, a fantastic Verbeek 89 Key organ and a very rare Walker steam centre engine. Originally bought by showman Joseph Smith and family, this Thomas Walker set was famously then owned by the Bartlett family and then in turn by the Chipperfields. This ride is remarkable (if not unique) for the superb quality of its entirely original wooden carvework - all of which was by Andersons of Bristol, who were one of the best fairground carvers in the world. Indeed, these old and faded photos hardly do the ride justice!

Most of the work to this exceptionally ornate set is now finished and, pending painting, we hope to soon have the gallopers fully built up in our enclosed barn, surrounded by the museums' collection of other fairground equipment and with showmans engines, living vans and dance hall organs alongside.

This page is still under construction....Photos and further information on our other rides, fairground equipment and our collection of organs will be added soon....


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