Choo Choo Train

 Released in the late 1990s, the Choo Choo Train was manufactured by Whittaker Brothers.  The engine itself was originally released in white and pink with blue accents and a funnel decorated in the stars and the stripes.


1990s Whittaker Brothers Leaflet

Later, around the turn of the 21st century, the ride underwent a makeover and was sold in much brighter colours.


Llandudno Pier, May 2017

The engine featured two embossed faces looking through "windows" in front of the rider, one of them being Whittaker Brothers' now trademark dalmatian dog.

The train featured four push buttons for various sound effects.  According to old Whittaker Brothers catalogues, it measured 51" x 24" x 55" and weighed 198lbs.

Jungle Boat

 Manufactured by Cogan, the Jungle Boat was released in the late 1990s.  Presumably loosely based on Noah's Ark, the boat came in green and orange with animals crammed into every corner!  There were pictures of animals looking through the portholes, a tortoise and dog sitting on the front of the boat and even a bluebird on the roof, sitting in a nest on top of the funnel.


2000 Cogan Flyer

The ride incorporates an interactive game to teach young children the names of various animals and the sounds they make.  There are eight toy model animals in a case in front of the rider; a giraffe, elephant, lion, sheep, horse, cow, pig and, quite randomly, a tyrannosaurus rex!  There are eight buttons inside the ride and, when one of these is pushed, the corresponding animal moves, announces its name and makes the correct animal noise.  I used to hate interactive rides (I found it detracted from the enjoyment of the actual RIDE when I was small!), but I've got to admit I really liked this one when it was first released.


2000 Cogan Flyer

It was a popular ride and remained in production for many years, with a later version featuring a tiger and hippo in place of the cow and pig.  These days Cogan offer its successor, the Wild Boat, as part of their range, featuring a screen with an interactive game.

The Oasis Amusements, Hemsby, April 2017. Unfortunately, the horse (my childhood favourite) was not working on this particular unit.

Cogan Truck

 Manufactured by Cogan (just in case the name didn't give it away!), this American-style truck was released in the late 1990s.  It was sold in yellow or black.  The black one seems to have been labelled the "international variant", although I have no idea in which countries each version was sold!  The black one was certainly more common in the UK at the time of its release.


Cogan Flyer, 2000


Cogan Flyer, 2000

The truck moves with an oscillating motion, with the speed controlled by the rider via a lever inside.  It was a very popular ride in its day, and remained in production for many years.


Clacton-on-Sea, August 1998

"Cogan-truck is our reassessment of the american truck with vivid colours, lots of lights, mufflers, steel grille and bumper.  It is also equipped with a special windscreen made of shock-resistant material with two happy fellow passengers.  Once inside the Cogan-truck, the child can have fun thanks to the joystick, which makes the kiddie ride pick up and brake, and to the big sound and noise push buttons.  He can also play with the rotating steering wheel and a wonderful radio with different songs.  Moreover, the Cogan-truck is not only beautiful, but also comfortable as the four big handles on the sides allow the child to get on very easily.  They can be used as steps (the lateral ones) and they make easier the load and the unloading operations.  The handles have also the function of bumper during the kiddie ride transport.  The cash, the counter-slot and the electric installation (according to CEE laws) are inside the figure, but they can be reached through dedicated doors.  The kiddie ride is delivered together with its tow-bar and use and maintenance handbook." - Cogan flyer, 2000


St Anne's Pier, Lytham, March 2019

Big Foot

 Manufactured by Cogan, Big Foot (or Piedone as it is known in its Italian homeland) was released in the late 1990s.  It is a large blue land rover-type car with HUGE wheels.


2000 Cogan Flyer

I always think of Big Foot marking a major turning point in kiddie ride history.  Gone were the days of simple cute little animals tha rocked back and forth atop small bases.  From now on, rides would be big, bold, brash...and did I mention BIG?!  It was the first in a series of 'base-less' kiddie rides too.  The wheels themselves act as the base and stay stationary while the ride is in motion.  Only the cockpit moves, gently lifting up and down. The rider could control the speed of the ride by using a lever on the dashboard.


2000 Cogan Flyer

Big Foot was a huge success on the British market and was a common sight at seaside resorts for many years. However, it has gradually been replaced by more recent giant rides.  It is still in production as of 2026, which is a testament to its success.


Walton-on-the-Naze Pier, September 2017

"This kiddie ride will surely have an impressive scenic effect.  It is characterized by apparently excessive dimensions and 4 authentic tyres. When they are blocked the wheels are the basement as during the ride only the cockpit shakes.  Whenever it is necessary to move the whole machine, they can be released in order to handle it easily because the wheels rotate.  This kiddie ride is equipped with steel bull-bar and roll-bar and with a special windshield made of shock-resistant material.
Inside the cockpit, the child can have fun using the joy-stick which makes the kiddie ride accelerate or stop, and the big buttons for sounds and noises. Also he can dispose of the rotating steering wheel and a wonderful radio with buttons playing different songs.  The Bigfoot is also equipped with lots of lights which brighten according to the beat of the radio. The cash, counter-slot and electric system are built in the figure, but are accessible thanks to special doors." - Cogan Flyer, 2000.

Mini Circus Car

 Manufactured by Falgas, I believe the Mini Circus Car was released around 1999.


Brasserie Le France, Centre Commercial Les Eleis, Cherbourg, July 2024

Smokey Joe

 Smokey Joe, the steam engine that really smokes!


2001 Amutec Flyer

Amutec released this ride in 1999, and it was the first ever steam engine ride to blow "real smoke" out of its funnel.  It was a very popular ride for a couple of years after its release and I remember regularly seeing them at seaside arcades in either orange, dark blue or, very occasionally, purple.  Sadly, the special smoking feature didn't last very long which might account for why most of these rides disappeared quite quickly.  Such a shame as this was a lovely gimmick and a very attractive ride.


Skegness Pier, June 2017

Smokey Joe cost £2,495.00 to buy, as of the 2001 Amutec price list.

Fairytale Coach

  Manufactured by Amutec as part of their "Prestige Rides" range, the Fairytale Coach was released around 1999.  It was quite a magnificent ride for its time, featuring a purple pumpkin-shaped coach with gold detailing, and pink/white swirly lollipop-esque wheels.  The coach was driven by a handsome frog, dressed in a smart purple uniform, and pulled by two cream horses with blonde manes and tails.  The horses were also dressed smartly with matching purple/green blankets, purple/white head collars and bridles and gold plumes.

2000 Amutec Leaflet

Unfortunately, this ride never seemed to gain the popularity I believe it deserved.  In fact, I've only ever seen two or three of these.

2000 Amutec Leaflet Artwork

As of the 2001 Amutec price list, it cost £5,625.00 to purchase.

The Arkade, Minehead, September 2020