Hello again; Often when I'm asked to assist in the sale of a piece of amusement, concessions, or confection equipment the owner will come to me without all the necessary information or photos to create a proper listing. So, I have gotten used to having to do some research when taking on new projects. This time my research not only improved the listing, but it uncovered even more history attached to this beautiful example of amusement park trains. 
The owners told me about it being the train from Liberty Land Amusement Park in Memphis Tennessee. They confirmed that this was the park that Elvis Presley was known to rent out for all night parties for his friends and family. And while the Zippin Pippin roller coaster is more closely associated with the King, it is likely that Elvis took Priscilla and Lisa Marie for rides on this train. And I could picture the cannonball carrying fans around the grounds of Graceland today. 
Even more interesting to me is that the owners had this train listed as a Chance Iron Horse model. My research determined that Chance never built a model called the Iron Horse. It turns out that this 24 gage train was built by Allan Herschell as their entry into the park train market. Herschell only built 49 of these units before selling out to Chance Rides. After the sale, there was no reason for Chance to continue building to lines. 
After I explained this to the owners, they went and checked the train more closely for manufacturer's markings. As you can see from this photo the driveshaft is printed with the words Allan Herschell Buffalo New York. Since Herschell didn't move to Buffalo until just before being sold to Chance, this train would have been one of the last ones built if not the very last to ever roll out of their factory. Once they started looking, they also found a stamp that said delivered to Midway Fairgrounds. That was the name of the permanent midway area before it officially opened as liberty Land on July 4th 1976.
The owners have everything you would want including the engine 
all five cars 
railroad signs 
Liberty Land Park Sign 
and 3/4 mile of track with ties 
You can own this fine amusement park train for $125,000. It is located in North Carolina and available immediately. The buyer would have to take responsibility for arranging the transporting and reinstalling at their location. The owners Have informed me that they are willing to assist with the loading of the train onto trailers or into containers. They bought this train from the auction held after the closing of Liberty Land intending on setting it up for the private use of their friends and family. Those plans have fallen through, and now they are just looking to find The Cannonball a good home. I should mention that the Zippin Pippin was relocated to Green Bay Wisconsin and did a brisk business in its first season there last year. Given the continued fascination with everything Elvis, this could be a great draw for anyone wanting that signature attraction. It would be perfect for another amusement park or larger family entertainment center. I could also see it in a pumpkin patch shopping mall, city park, or area zoo. Feel free to call or email with any questions. I hope to hear from you soon. Thanks, Max website www.midwaymarketplace.com send emails to maxwell@midwaymarketplace.com
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Casey Jones Cannonball train a working piece of amusement and rock & roll history
Friday, March 16, 2012
Bertazzon Carousel, How I sold this amusement ride that no one else could
Hello; Today, is a big day here on the midway. I am proud to announce that I have completed the sale of the 1997 bertazzon Venetian style carousel. It is the largest sale to date for my company. It is especially sweet because this ride was listed by several other brokers before coming to me.
You see, I have only been selling amusement equipment full time for about five years and have only had a website for four. There are several other companies in this field that have been at it longer and as a result listings don't usually come to me unless they are either owned by a friend or relative or they have been for sale for a while with no real results.
This beautiful carousel had been removed from the Macon Mall in Macon, Georgia about two years ago. I found a listing for it on a competitors site and sent the owner an email asking them to also list it with me. I was contacted by Rosanna Shoemake, CSM Property/Marketing Manager Victoria Mall. She said that the mall in macon had recently been purchased by Hull Story Gibson Companies, LLC and was undergoing a major redevelopment. She explained that this company preferred a wide open uncluttered feel to their properties and would not have any need for the carousel. Rosanna was their representative in this process because she had previously helped with the sale of the carousel that had been at Victoria Mall in Victoria, Texas. She was a joy to work with. We started with a listing that included several nice photos and a description of the carousel. That was in November of last year. The plan was to add some video to the listing, but for some reason, the person that had the dvd never sent it. I had done my usual work on selling the ride by posting it to facebook, writing a blog post, mentioning it in my weekly emails. I replied to forum posts from anyone I thought might be interested. And nothing much happened until the new year.
On January 2nd, I asked Rosanna if we could solve the problem with the video by having it uploaded to youtube. She said of course, and a day later I had this link to a very nice short video to work with. I used the youtube embed feature to post a link to the video on my site. I started over promoting it telling people about the addition of the video. by this time i had added linkedin, and merchants circle to facebook in the social media arena. My networks on the social sites had also increased nicely. I had also been working to add more contact to my email lists. I wrote a second blog post updating the listing for the carousel. And thankfully, a few weeks later I was contacted by a gentleman from upstate New york. His name is Taz, and he told me that he was an entrepreneur who had received a contract to operate a carousel in their local city park. He said they were looking for a very nice if not elegant carousel for their purposes. He did have some basic questions which me and Rosanna worked to answer. Then just a few weeks later, he decided to buy the ride. He and the mall company agreed on a 30 day time table for payment. And everything looked great.
And yes there is a but coming here. The buyer wanted a manual to use in the installation of the carousel. I volunteered to help him find one. I contacted the manufacturer in Italy, and they promised to locate one. A week went by with no answer, so i wrote them again. They said they were looking and would get back to me when they knew something. At the same time, Taz had contacted the U S representative for Bertazzon Ital International asking them for the manual. They claimed that the serial number we were using was wrong. They were also unable or unwilling to help us with the manual. This is at least what the buyer told me. He said that he worried that the problems getting a manual from them had to do with the fact that they had listed the carousel for sale before I got involved in it. What the truth is, I don't really know. I started calling my contacts in hopes of finding a company to install the ride for Taz thus eliminating his need for the manual. I got him in contact with Joe from Ride Werks, and he worked it out with Taz to install the carousel on their location the first week of April. Joe was able to calm their fears, and the sale went through.
So, here it is just the middle of March, and I already have a major sale on my score board. It wasn't easy. It shows just how difficult it is to sell amusement, concessions, or confections equipment in this market. It also shows how hard work, determination, and using the full resources of the net can pay off. I'm going to celebrate with a nice steak dinner and then its on to the next challenge. I wonder who will be next. I'm always ready to put my talents and effort towards a new project. If you have some used items to sell or know someone who does, by all means let me know. And even if it isn't to list an item, I welcome calls or emails to discuss the amusement industry. Thanks, max
Website www.midwaymarketplace.com
Send emails to maxwell@midwaymarketplace.com
You see, I have only been selling amusement equipment full time for about five years and have only had a website for four. There are several other companies in this field that have been at it longer and as a result listings don't usually come to me unless they are either owned by a friend or relative or they have been for sale for a while with no real results.
This beautiful carousel had been removed from the Macon Mall in Macon, Georgia about two years ago. I found a listing for it on a competitors site and sent the owner an email asking them to also list it with me. I was contacted by Rosanna Shoemake, CSM Property/Marketing Manager Victoria Mall. She said that the mall in macon had recently been purchased by Hull Story Gibson Companies, LLC and was undergoing a major redevelopment. She explained that this company preferred a wide open uncluttered feel to their properties and would not have any need for the carousel. Rosanna was their representative in this process because she had previously helped with the sale of the carousel that had been at Victoria Mall in Victoria, Texas. She was a joy to work with. We started with a listing that included several nice photos and a description of the carousel. That was in November of last year. The plan was to add some video to the listing, but for some reason, the person that had the dvd never sent it. I had done my usual work on selling the ride by posting it to facebook, writing a blog post, mentioning it in my weekly emails. I replied to forum posts from anyone I thought might be interested. And nothing much happened until the new year.
On January 2nd, I asked Rosanna if we could solve the problem with the video by having it uploaded to youtube. She said of course, and a day later I had this link to a very nice short video to work with. I used the youtube embed feature to post a link to the video on my site. I started over promoting it telling people about the addition of the video. by this time i had added linkedin, and merchants circle to facebook in the social media arena. My networks on the social sites had also increased nicely. I had also been working to add more contact to my email lists. I wrote a second blog post updating the listing for the carousel. And thankfully, a few weeks later I was contacted by a gentleman from upstate New york. His name is Taz, and he told me that he was an entrepreneur who had received a contract to operate a carousel in their local city park. He said they were looking for a very nice if not elegant carousel for their purposes. He did have some basic questions which me and Rosanna worked to answer. Then just a few weeks later, he decided to buy the ride. He and the mall company agreed on a 30 day time table for payment. And everything looked great.
And yes there is a but coming here. The buyer wanted a manual to use in the installation of the carousel. I volunteered to help him find one. I contacted the manufacturer in Italy, and they promised to locate one. A week went by with no answer, so i wrote them again. They said they were looking and would get back to me when they knew something. At the same time, Taz had contacted the U S representative for Bertazzon Ital International asking them for the manual. They claimed that the serial number we were using was wrong. They were also unable or unwilling to help us with the manual. This is at least what the buyer told me. He said that he worried that the problems getting a manual from them had to do with the fact that they had listed the carousel for sale before I got involved in it. What the truth is, I don't really know. I started calling my contacts in hopes of finding a company to install the ride for Taz thus eliminating his need for the manual. I got him in contact with Joe from Ride Werks, and he worked it out with Taz to install the carousel on their location the first week of April. Joe was able to calm their fears, and the sale went through.
So, here it is just the middle of March, and I already have a major sale on my score board. It wasn't easy. It shows just how difficult it is to sell amusement, concessions, or confections equipment in this market. It also shows how hard work, determination, and using the full resources of the net can pay off. I'm going to celebrate with a nice steak dinner and then its on to the next challenge. I wonder who will be next. I'm always ready to put my talents and effort towards a new project. If you have some used items to sell or know someone who does, by all means let me know. And even if it isn't to list an item, I welcome calls or emails to discuss the amusement industry. Thanks, max
Website www.midwaymarketplace.com
Send emails to maxwell@midwaymarketplace.com
Friday, January 6, 2012
Amazing spectacular sky coaster ride
Hello again; Today, I'm writing to tell you about an amazing opportunity to own a spectacular thrill ride called the sky coaster. 
What A THrill!! Here is a 1995 173 ft. Arch Skycoaster with dual launch towers and hydraulic landers for $160,000 firm. It has great money making potential.
The dual launch towers allow up to six flyers at a time. Each flight lasts about five minutes. They paid $750,000 for it new, and a Skycoaster of this style and size retails for approximately half a million dollars today. The first two photos are of the actual ride taken while it was still in operation at Opryland In Nashville, Tennessee. The other photos are of similar models and intended only to give you a better idea of its style and size.
The unit for sale is currently broken down into sections and is ready to ship. You can click here to watch a video of the ride from its days at Opryland. The video was taken while the ride was at its original location at the back of the park. The ride was such a hit that they moved it to what they called the central park location where it would have higher visibility and get more traffic. Then they added the scizzor lift platforms and hydraulic landers. They tell me this ride grossed about $900,000 the last year of operation. This would be a great addition to any amusement park, city park, zoo, or other tourist area. It could also be excellent for a family entertainment center that is ready to add a spectacular ride to its offerings. Feel free to call or email with any questions. Thanks, Max
website www.midwaymarketplace.com
send emails to maxwell@midwaymarketplace.com
What A THrill!! Here is a 1995 173 ft. Arch Skycoaster with dual launch towers and hydraulic landers for $160,000 firm. It has great money making potential.
The dual launch towers allow up to six flyers at a time. Each flight lasts about five minutes. They paid $750,000 for it new, and a Skycoaster of this style and size retails for approximately half a million dollars today. The first two photos are of the actual ride taken while it was still in operation at Opryland In Nashville, Tennessee. The other photos are of similar models and intended only to give you a better idea of its style and size.
The unit for sale is currently broken down into sections and is ready to ship. You can click here to watch a video of the ride from its days at Opryland. The video was taken while the ride was at its original location at the back of the park. The ride was such a hit that they moved it to what they called the central park location where it would have higher visibility and get more traffic. Then they added the scizzor lift platforms and hydraulic landers. They tell me this ride grossed about $900,000 the last year of operation. This would be a great addition to any amusement park, city park, zoo, or other tourist area. It could also be excellent for a family entertainment center that is ready to add a spectacular ride to its offerings. Feel free to call or email with any questions. Thanks, Max
website www.midwaymarketplace.com
send emails to maxwell@midwaymarketplace.com
Monday, January 2, 2012
added video of the Bertazzon mall carousel
Hello again; I do my best to encourage people to update their listings as often as possible. The more information, photos, and videos I can show potential buyers, the better chance I have of finding a new home for their equipment. 
Today, I received a very nice video of the Bertazzon Venician carousel. You can see it by clicking here It is still on location at a mall in Georgia. The new owners want to sell because they have a policy of clearing out all distractions from the store and restaurant spaces. They want $100,000 for it. That price does not include dismantling it, transporting it to your location, or reinstalling it there. I do know a couple of people who could handle that for you, and I would be happy to request a quote for any serious buyers. This one would be great for an amusement park, family entertainment center, shopping mall, restaurant, city park, zoo or other tourist area. And an enterprising show man or woman could probably rack this unit for traveling with a carnival or fun fair. Feel free to call or email with any questions. I hope to hear from you soon. Thanks, Max
website www.midwaymarketplace.com
send emails to maxwell@midwaymarketplace.com
Today, I received a very nice video of the Bertazzon Venician carousel. You can see it by clicking here It is still on location at a mall in Georgia. The new owners want to sell because they have a policy of clearing out all distractions from the store and restaurant spaces. They want $100,000 for it. That price does not include dismantling it, transporting it to your location, or reinstalling it there. I do know a couple of people who could handle that for you, and I would be happy to request a quote for any serious buyers. This one would be great for an amusement park, family entertainment center, shopping mall, restaurant, city park, zoo or other tourist area. And an enterprising show man or woman could probably rack this unit for traveling with a carnival or fun fair. Feel free to call or email with any questions. I hope to hear from you soon. Thanks, Max
website www.midwaymarketplace.com
send emails to maxwell@midwaymarketplace.com
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