Carters Yard: restoring the Lightning Skid

Carters Steam Fair is the world's greatest travelling vintage funfair. We travel our rides and attractions around the UK from Easter to Bonfire Night (visit our website to see where we are and when). During the winter we restore and maintain our rides at the Yard. In this video Joby Carter shows us how him and his team are restoring the beloved Lightning Skid ride. Stay tuned for more behind the scenes at the Carters Yard videos!
Website: carterssteamfair.co.uk
Facebook: Carters Steam Fair Online
Twitter: @cartersfair
Instagram: @carterssteamfair

[@denisxx61]

Wonderful work. I well remember in the late 1950'S at the London, Clapham Common Fair watching the men of Saunder's Amusements building up the Lightning Skid. At the time the winch and crane mounted on the front of the Scammell tractor was not working so the men had to manhandle the various components. When it came to the driving motor and mechanism it took the entire crew to lift it off the trailer and maneuver it into position. Mr. Saunders sauntered over and muttered "This is torture. You have to get that crane fixed". Everything about the Skid was heavy from the cars, the fish; mechanism and motor. A wise decision to mount the mechanism on a trailer. Thanks for posting,

[@CartersSteamFairOnline]

Hi Denis, wow thank you for that story! You have great memory, definitely a lot easier now than before, if you have any pictures I'd love to see them! :) (Send them to [e-mail])

[@catherineclark4484]

Absolutely adore carters

[@robertparkes4982]

What a lovely way of life.....God bless you for keeping these rides alive.

[@brianwalmsley447]

Keep the good work going b good to have a look round your yard . looks interesting 😎😀

[@BaZzZaa]

Absolutely love your work and what you are doing to keep these rides operating and in glorious shape. The artwork is staggeringly beautiful.

[@SimonLiddo]

Fascinating video Joby. One has to applaud your hard work and artistic integrity without compromise! Cheers, Simon

[@brianwalmsley447]

Brilliant keep up the good work

[@ardentizzy7720]

You are doing a fantastic job , thank you very much for preserving these rides for generations to come ..

[@jeffdavis9956]

Arden Tizz

[@scopex2749]

You know ive had enough of my job i wish i had enough money to retire from my engineers job i would come and help you for free! :(((( Ive done sign writing before! Sadly ive never been to your fair, seen it many times travelling but not up close! Deep respect for keeping our past alive!!

[@lauradelahay5330]

Hello Carters funfair how are you all? From Laura from the West Midlands UK

[@darrenkellybaxter2766]

Toby I love your artwork

[@benalmond3871]

love the lightning skids

[@justintai8725]

Brilliant work. I'd love to do that

[@garykendall9426]

Absolutely fantastic job that you and your team are still maintaining these lovely rides and travelling them weather I see it this way because I'm 50 and they bring back so many happy memories both ridi g and build g up. Unfortunately we don't get anything of this quality up in Cumbria. Carry on the fantastic work

[@CartersSteamFairOnline]

Gary Kendall many thanks for your lovely comment.

[@TheSkidsteve]

your doing a coolioo job joby

[@buzx1313]

Is this going to be as fast as Jimmy Bowrys? Also good idea on head rest, don't half pull your neck

[@davidparkes3161]

Very informative video but just a few questions. What timber is used in the ride? What paint is used? And what varnish do you finish it off with?

[@tomlewendon4563]

fascinating joby from Tom l

[@Myrddin1955]

Question for you Joby, this Skid wouldn't be ex-Thurston's would it, by any chance? Thanks in advance. PS Keep up the great work!

[@sallac8243]

This is the ex Tom Smith & Sons machine, not sure which Thurston your thinking of - various members of the Thurston family have had 4 or 5 skids over the years. But as an educated guess I think you probably mean the Supreme? If so it's now with Russell Cook, should be plenty of videos out there. Hope that's of some help.