Matterhorn (ride)

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Please improve this article if you can. (August 2007)

Swailes Bailey's Terminator Matterhorn at the Cambridge Midsomer fair.

The Matterhorn or Flying Bobs, sometimes also known by alternate names such as Musik Express or Terminator in the UK is an Amusement Ride very similar to the Superbob, which consist of a number of cars attached to axels and swing out and in. The hill and valley shape of the ride makes the swinging motion more violent, the faster the ride goes, the more violent the swinging motion. It is quite common to see this ride at a travelling Fun Fair. Most carnivals and parks require riders to be at least 42 inches or taller.

[edit] In The U.S.

These rides are known as the "Flying Bob" types of rides. Most of these are at carnivals, but there are some at Amusement Parks such as KonTiki at Six Flags New England. The carnival rides do come on multiple trucks. One is for the ride itself, and the other one is for the swinging cars.

They are basically the same exact ride, but have different designs. Most do go backwards, and forwards.

Allen Herschell Company made the first "Flying Bobs" in the 1970's. Chance-Morgan currently a few versions, called the "Alpine Bobs" or "ThunderBolt." Mack makes the simply named Matterhorn, Feria Swing, and Petersburg Schilitenfahrt (Sleigh Ride).

In the UK, Musik or Music Express means a Himalaya type of ride. This ride doesn't have swinging cars in a circle, but cars that are placed to the track. These are also popular in the United States but have been discontinued by most manufacturers.