I turned around and saw a smiling gentleman who had his hands up in the air as if he were asking what I was doing there (I guess by the outfit he could tell I was the stereotypical American...big shock).  I did the American thing and asked if he spoke English...  that did not work.  So, I started in German and he understood it a little.  With both of us speaking in our second languages tried my best to explain I was there to get pictures of the park.  He  smiled, laughed and said something along the lines of, "Kein Problem, bitte kein Umfall haben" (No problem, please do not have an accident [there was lots of ice all over]), we shook hands and he was off.  Feeling a little surprised that things had gone so well I headed over to the roller coaster. 

          The Hulamvasut was built in 1922 (although it is not on N.A.P.H.A.'s list), still utilizes a brakeman on the train and has no restraints.  Circling around the coaster I found a large, glass building that housed what looked like the coaster's cars.  I never got close enough to get a good look, but if these were indeed the trains they appeared to be quite old, along the lines of a Griffith.  There was a lot of construction going on and I later learned that the park had removed their 1974 coaster (I believe it was a Galaxi) at the end of the 1999 season and were awaiting the delivery of a Schwarzkopf coaster.  It is a one loop model and I think it follows the layout of Astroworld's Viper.

          Working my way back to the front of the park I saw the park's beautiful antique carousel within an ornate building.  The carousel, winner of many preservation prizes, was very unique looking.  Instead of a lot of up and down motion combined with little horizontal motion the horses appeared to move forward and backward (like a Prior and Church Racing Derby, but on a smaller scale) with only a little vertical movement.  The carvings were well done and I think this ride would be hoot.  The building and ride are more like a work of art than something found in an amusement park.  It appears both the park's employees and the people of Budapest appreciate the fine carousel they have on their hands.  I only wish I could get back to this masterpiece soon.

          Vidam Park has operated since 1896 and, like many American parks, has remained a somewhat fixed point in an ever-changing world.  The park has a nice mix of rides including a Huss Condor (Ikarus), Pirat and Break Dance, several kiddie rides, an older ride that looks like a stripped Caterpillar (ala Camden Park's Hot Kat), a dark ride, bumper cars called Dodgem, Galaxy (looks like a sit-down Round Up), Go-karts and a kids Caterpillar coaster.  Add in the classic scenic railway and a Schwarzkopf coaster and Vidam Park is a wonderful way to spend a day.  As I passed through the gates I wondered what would bring me back to this great city.  The ghosts of the carousel were left behind as I trounced across Andrassy Boulevard.  In two days I left for my favorite city, Prague, but that is another story for another time.

• Vidam Park's Webpage

• N.A.P.H.A.'s Industry F.A.Q.

(Several facts were taken from Tom Hundley's May 23, 2001 article in the Chicago Tribune and N.A.P.H.A.'s Industry F.A.Q.)

Another shot of the carousel's movement mechanisms.	The beautiful centerpiece and organ.	The carousel housed in a classic building.	The scenic railway's lift hill.	Another view of the coaster trains.

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Adam Sandy, Copyright 2001.