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GHOST TRAINS II

This gallery shows some examples of Ghost Trains and the wonderful imagery seen in their decoration. Because of the size, this gallery has been split into three parts; this is the second.

L Danter’s Ghost Train,
Hayes, 02/04/83

Mrs Gooding’s Ghost Train,
Mablethorpe Amusment Park, 29/05/82

Francis Gavan’s Ghost Train (with cut-out skull folded down), Fox Lane, Sheffield, 08/06/74.

Pat Gray’s superb Ghost Train (above); another superb example of the collaboration between Fred Fowle and Roger Vinney. Durdham Downs, Bristol, 07/04/80.
The ride was later rebuilt as a double deck Ghost Train, and a new front added (see left), Lancing, 16/07/83.

Len Gray’s Ghost Train,
Wanstead Flats, 13/04/82

David Gray’s Ghost Train,
Hounslow Heath, 21/04/81

G Hart’s Ghost Train,
Doncaster, 31/05/82

William Hill’s “Journey to Mars” Ghost Train,
Heaton Park, Manchester, 31/05/80

Tommy Holland’s Ghost Train,
Sheerness Amusement Park, 14/07/76

This “Nightmare” Ghost Train was built by William Hill – better known for his “Journey to Mars” – and travelled briefly in 1977 before being sold to Freddy Irish later that year. Seen here at Horsham Park, 09/07/87

Many amusement parks had permanent Ghost Trains;
this is Iles & Potter’s at Margate’s Dreamland, 12/07/76. Yvonne Stagg’s famous Wall of Death is to the right.

Tommy Kayes Ghost Train,
Central Park, Plymouth, 12/04/77

For many years John Lock’s Ghost Train was a regular sight on fairs up and down the country, often far from its Gloucestershire base. It is seen here (left) with its original cut-out train front at Newcastle Town Moor, 19/06/76,
and after redecoration (right) as the “Spine Chilling Skeleton Express” at Abingdon Mop, 04/10/82.

Orton & Spooner are supposed to have built nine Ghost Trains from around 1931. Although some were more elaborate, this atmospheric shot of A Mason’s at Oldham’s Tommyfield Christmas Fair in December 1948 shows their standard type. (Photo courtesy of Kevin Scrivens)

Arthur Manders’ Ghost Train in one of several guises
seen over the years: Cheltenham, 02/10/81

One of a number of double-deck “Rolla Ghosta” Ghost
Trains built by Tommy Matthews, Barnstaple, 19/09/87

Another “Roller Ghoster”: Stanley Reeves,
Hull Fair, 12/10/91

A familiar sight for many years around the Midlands:
Billy Roberts’ Ghost Train, Chester May Fair, 01/05/82

Johnny Scott’s famous Ghost Train was notable for being probably the only one to have two fronts: both painted by Fred Fowle and Roger Vinney. This is the earlier front, now in Richard Preston’s collection, seen at Hull Fair, 10/10/74. To the left is Whites’ Mirror Show, now at Dingles Steam Village. Whatever happened to the Tiny Tim show to the right?

The second of Johnny Scott’s Fowle & Vinney fronts, seen here at Keighley Gala, 07/06/80.
The ride, with this front, can now be seen at Folly Farm, Pembs.

Above: Two close up views of the superb Roger Vinney and Fred Fowle artwork on the second front for Johnny Scott’s Ghost Train.
Radcliffe, 31/05/79

Right: Roger Vinney’s caricature of himself at work on the front.

WELCOME!

GHOST TRAINS II