A Music Express is an amusement ride based on the original Caterpillar rides. Several near-identical ride designs are also produced by other companies: Musik Express by Italian company Bertazzon and US Majestic Rides, Himalaya by American company Wisdom Rides, German company Mack, and French company Reverchon, and Silver Streak by Wisdom Rides. This ride is a modern adaptation of the famous Harry Traver Caterpillar rides.

Design and operation

The ride features twenty 3-passenger cars connected in a circle. These cars rotate on a track with alternating sloped and flat sections. Rotation is possible in both a backward and forward direction, as the ride is manually operated. The ride is powered by 4 DC motors, and can reach a maximum speed of 12 revolutions per minute. (Certain older models have a hydraulic tire/rim drive and they have a tendency to go faster).

The riders in each car are restrained by a single solid lap bar that is locked across the body of the car, making the ride unsuitable for young children or people of short stature. The bar must be manually locked or unlocked, and only locks in one position. Lights and music are also controlled by the operator, which (as the name suggests) contribute heavily to the ride experience. After a certain amount of rotations or minutes, the ride operator will be alerted by the control box that the speed is going to increase, usually by a light on the box. At that time the operator will speak on a microphone asking the riders if they would like to go faster. Sometimes the ride operator can do this earlier than the alert light to build suspense. After a minute or two of faster speed, the ride will then slow down, and the operator can then ask the riders if they would like to go backwards. The speed up element is then repeated again only done in reverse. Most parks and carnivals require riders to be at least 42 inches or even taller, depending on circumstances and ride design.

Most Music Expresses are built with a backdrop dividing the rear third of the ride from the front two-thirds. This backdrop, normally covered in artwork and lights, provides a mild headchopper-like effect as the riders enter and exit the rear section. As this blocks lines of sight, additional staff are required to safely supervise this ride in operation.

More common in Europe than the US, some Music Express rides have a canopy that the operator can use to cover the ride while in operation, very much like the old caterpillar rides.

At Kennywood Park's and Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom's Musik Express, written above are the words "Mit Musik Geht Alles Besser", which translated from German reads, "With Music Everything Goes Better."

The variant used in fairs across Hawaii feature murals of several famous artists, such as the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, the logo of the Rolling Stones, and even fictional bands and singers.

Variations

Bertazzon Musik Express No major variations from Mack Rides version. Majestic Manufacturing Musik Express 14 cars, hydraulic locking system, increased top RPM. Wisdom Rides Himalaya 22 cars. Mack Rides Himalaya Music Express, Diskothek

Reverchon Himalaya Original Himalaya ride design.

Wisdom Rides Silver Streak 16 cars, smaller height difference, multiple lap bar positions.

SDC Amor Express Billed as "The Love Machine", circa late 70s, with hydraulic drive and canopy, very much like the original caterpillar rides. Not many found in US anymore but they still can be found in European fair circuits and parks.

Appearances +NameManufacturerLocationOpenedStatusClosedNotesAztek ExpressMack RidesBobbejaanland1996OperatingCannonball ExpressMack RidesGreat Escape1985OperatingCosmotronWisdom RidesKnoebels Amusement Resort1998OperatingFully enclosed. Converted from a Caterpillar rideCrab RaceWisdom RidesFantasy Island2021OperatingElectric RingPreston & BarbieriLegendiac.2014OperatingPreviously located at Sommerland Syd as Safari-Expressen (unknown-2012).Expreso MusicalMack RidesSix Flags México1990OperatingFantasiaSobbemaConey Beach Pleasure Park1999OperatingFlash: Speed ForceMack RidesSix Flags Magic Mountain1974OperatingFormerly named Himalaya, Subway, ACME Atom Smasher, and Atom Smasher.GalaxySoliAdventureland1980Defunct1990HilltopperMack RidesCalifornia's Great America1977DefunctHimalayaWisdom RidesAdventureland2000Defunct2022HimalayaReverchonKentucky Kingdom1990OperatingStanding But Not Operating (SBNO) along with the rest of the park 2009–2013.HimalayaReverchonSylvan Beach Amusement Park2009OperatingPreviously located at Casino Pier (1966-2000's).HimalayaReverchonTrimper's Rides1976OperatingIndustrial RevolutionMack RidesSix Flags Great America1977Defunct1984Formerly named HilltopperMusic ExpressPreston & BarbieriAllou! Fun Park2018OperatingMusic ExpressMoser RidesHersheypark1999OperatingMusic ExpressMack RidesIndiana Beach2011OperatingMusic ExpressMack RidesPlaylandc.1981Defunct2022Music ExpressSBF Visa GroupPowerPark2002OperatingMusic ExpressModern ProductsRainbow Park1975Defunct2008Previously located at Ocean Beach Fun Fair (1975–1995).Music ExpressMack RidesRusutsu Resort1997OperatingMusic ExpressWisdom RIdesRye Playland2008OperatingMusic ExpressBertazzonSeabreeze Amusement Park2008OperatingPreviously located at Wild West World (2007).Music ExpressBertazzonWaldameer & Water World2013OperatingMusic PopUnknownLake WinnepesaukahUnknownDefunctMusik ExpressBertazzonCasino Pier2014OperatingMusik ExpressMack RidesCliff's Amusement Park2005OperatingPreviously located at Miracle Strip Amusement Park (1973–2003).Musik ExpressMack RidesDorney Park1984OperatingMusik ExpressMack RidesKennywood1987OperatingMusik ExpressMack RidesKuwait Magicc.2007OperatingPreviously located at Yokohama Dreamland (1980–2002).Musik ExpressMack RidesLagoon1982OperatingMusik ExpressPreston & BarbieriM&D's2017OperatingFormerly named Kiss Me Quick Previously located at Sofia Land (2002–2006), and Dreamland Margate (2015–2016).Musik ExpressBertazzonMorey's Piers1991OperatingMusik ExpressMack RidesSix Flags Great Adventure1976Defunct2007Muzik ExpressMack RidesGeauga Lake1978Defunct2002Ooort's ExpressSBF Visa GroupBerjaya Times Square Theme Park2003OperatingRev BoosterSBF Visa GroupOcean Park Hong Kong2011OperatingRip CurlWisdom RidesFun Spot Orlando2013OperatingRock & RollBertazzonBelle City Amusements2003OperatingRock & RollBertazzonFun Spot Kissimmee2022OperatingRock & RollBertazzonPlayland's Castaway Cove2021OperatingRock JetReverchonGröna Lund1976OperatingRockin' ReelerReverchonWorlds of Fun1991Defunct2005Space RaceSobemaFlambards Theme Park1990OperatingFormerly named Chariot Race Previously traveled German fair circuit (1987–1988) and located at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach (1990). Super HimalayaMack RidesCedar Point1970OperatingSuperCatPreston & BarbieriValleyfair1976OperatingTango TrainSBF Visa GroupLuna Park Sydney2016OperatingTsunamiBertazzonSanta Cruz Beach Boardwalk1999OperatingYucatanMack RidesPortAventura Park1995Operating

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