Lemax Ferris Wheel & Tilt a Whirl Scale Question (2024)

Hi Everyone - does anyone know the scale of the lemax ferris wheel and tilt a whirl. I received them recently as a gift - they look bigger than O scale. If anyone has them on their layout I'd love to see a picture.

Paul

The seats would determine if they are scale or not. From the floor and seat's kick-panel, up to the seat proper, and from the kick-panel to back rest along the seat would be the measurements to look at.

I'm pretty sure that the tilt-a - whirl was made in more than one size as far as far as the number of cars on each ride.

Hi,

This may be off topic but, I have a large Lemax ferris wheel that needs a new gear box. The motor runs but, the gears just spin and make a horrible rumbling noise. The wheel does not turn at all. Any suggestions?

They don't seem O-Scale. I have the carousel and the figures are larger than my O-Scale figures. The ride itself looks fine on my layout. The figuresdon't look too bad on the layout since they are inside the carousel. I looked at the RoundUPat TCA and think it will look fine on a layout as well. The figures are inside that ride so they would blend in to the layout. I haven't seen the Tilt-a-Whirl but it's probably a little larger than O-Scale as well. I think it would look fine as I'd imagine the figures are inclosed. I really wanted to buy Shooting Star but didn't think it would look right on the layout. I couldn't tell with the pictures online if I could remove the figures and add my own.

Here's a video of my carousel:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/pdw99tcPxOk

I have a video of some of the items on my computer but can't post them. They're in my pictures on my computer but I don't how to get them to this post.

Where do I start? I've tried the insert/edit video

ICRRE8 posted:

Hi,

This may be off topic but, I have a large Lemax ferris wheel that needs a new gear box. The motor runs but, the gears just spin and make a horrible rumbling noise. The wheel does not turn at all. Any suggestions?

You can buy the gears and rebuild the gearbox. Most times I have found it is the motor pinion gear that is split causing the motor to just spin inside the gear. They are listed on the Bay Here is a Link

coach joe posted:

Harleylito, I don't believe they are "O" scale but they may look right on your layout, depending on plcement and surroundings.

Hey Joe - the reason I'm asking is that when I google the lemax products it does say they are O scale but they don't appear to be.

Thanx for getting back to me

Paul

Gregg posted:

I have a video of some of the items on my computer but can't post them. They're in my pictures on my computer but I don't how to get them to this post.

Where do I start? I've tried the insert/edit video

Gregg - I really don't need a video just an answer to my question - sorry I can't help you out on posting one as I never did either.

Thanx,

Paul

This is my amusem*nt park on my layout

NelsonW posted:

This is my amusem*nt park on my layout

Hi Nelson - do you operate all the rides with the AC adapter Lemax supplies with each item??

Paul

Hi

So how do you get the ferris wheel apart as it looks all glued together where the uprights connect to wheel ie gearbox hub at top. I need to get at contacts for wheel lights as they flicker and flash as wheel turns.

Suggestions?

For pics and video from your computer, start a post or reply, and look at the bottom of the composing box in blue for the attachement tool. Load there, check insert full sized when the small check box appears, or wait, go to the bottom again and select insert in post, then pick sm,med, or large.

The tools at the top are more for adding custom text to links, embedding from another site like youtube, etc.

Thank you ADRIATIC Lets see what happens.. This is from a friends layout.. Might give you the difference in the scale. The rides & peopleseem to be bigger than "O" scale

Gregg posted:

Thank you ADRIATIC Lets see what happens.. This is from a friends layout.. Might give you the difference in the scale. The rides & peopleseem to be bigger than "O" scale

Gregg - fantastic! Thanx so much for sharing this great scene! Do you use the supplied adapters to power each unit????

Paul

Paul

I use the multi adapters that Lemax offers that will run 3-4 units depending on the voltage some are 4.5 others are 3. I have them plugged into a multiple outlet strip. That strip is then plugged into a wireless remote. This allows turning them on and off from the control panel.

NelsonW posted:

Paul

I use the multi adapters that Lemax offers that will run 3-4 units depending on the voltage some are 4.5 others are 3. I have them plugged into a multiple outlet strip. That strip is then plugged into a wireless remote. This allows turning them on and off from the control panel.

Thanx, Nelson - lots of discussion on the forum about adapters and how much voltage they put out - that's why I asked.

Paul

Gregg posted:

Yes we use the supplied adaptors that plug into a power bar. However we also make a splice in the wire from the adaptor to the accessory and slip in an off/ toggle. I find the darn things distracting and annoying so it's nice to be able to turn one orany of them off. Whatever you want on or off.

Thanx, Gregg - I like the idea of using a toggle to turn them off - thanx again.

Paul

Panther97 posted:

Here's a video of my carousel:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/pdw99tcPxOk

The heck with the carousel, that coaster would really be a thrill ride if it was a real life ride! Zoom-Zoom!!!

NelsonW,

Thank you for the help. I will open the Ferris Wheel and order what I need. Thank you again. Again OGR Forum comes through.

ICRRE8

Illinois Central Rail Road E8

That's not a Tilt-A-Whirl, by the way, and Lemax didn't use that term. (Lemax calls the ride Round Up.) I noticed some dealer online said the ride depicted was commonly known as a Tilt-A-Whirl. The dealer is wrong, period.

This (below) is a Tilt-A-Whirl, invented by Herbert Sellner in Faribault, Minnesota, in 1926, and still very much a part of American carnivals everywhere:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilt-A-Whirl#

What isn't a tilt a whirl? I'm confused. Is it the "tea cup" I see that they call a tilt a whirl? Is Lemax using proper names? Did they skip using "tea cup" in fear of Disney's claim to fame with similar?

I worked carnival conncessions summers with family in my teens. I know what a REAL tilt a whirl is too. And what a real Round up is. And (my fav.) The Rotor.

The thing is, there are similar rides know by different names.

E.g. A Round Up is very similar to a Zero Gravity, UFO, and others. I suppose its either different mfgs., different decorative design, or updated names.

You are confused, Adriatic. Lemax's Round Up and Sellner's Tilt-A-Whirl aren't the same type of ride.

A spinning ride with horses can be called a carousel or a merry-go-round. From reading your post, it seems like you think it could also be called "bumper cars."

Aside from the oversized figures, Lemax products generally scale closer to S scale, but I still like them for traditional layouts. My Halloween layout uses Greaves Manor, Forest House, Tucker's Farm barn and Eastport Junction station, all by Lemax.

OK. After researching Lemax myself. They do make a round up. Its close enough to call correct.

Lemax does make a tea cup ride too.

They don't make a tilt a whirl at all that I can find.

Now knowing what was and wasn't made, it makes sense. Without knowing those facts, it was guesses.

Take a look at these O gauge creations! This is the best version of a model tilt a whirl anywhere!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRYrYRbD0b8

OK, ZWPower13, where can I get that Tilt-A-Whirl and how much? That's perfect. Wow!

Seriously, more info would be appreciated. I interviewed the late Bruce Sellner when I worked in Faribault in the 1980s while Sellner Manufacturing was trying to develop a new ride for the future Mall of America. I can't ride on them -- don't ask -- but I appreciate this classic ride.

Sorry to here that Jim, just know you aren't alone.

So long...

Jim R. posted:

OK, ZWPower13, where can I get that Tilt-A-Whirl and how much? That's perfect. Wow!

Seriously, more info would be appreciated. I interviewed the late Bruce Sellner when I worked in Faribault in the 1980s while Sellner Manufacturing was trying to develop a new ride for the future Mall of America. I can't ride on them -- don't ask -- but I appreciate this classic ride.

I wish I knew!!!!!! I tried several times to attempt to contact the maker, but he never responded. That is the most accurate Tilt A Whirl in O gauge that was ever made...I want 2 of them!!!!

ZWPOWER13 posted:

Jim R. posted:

OK, ZWPower13, where can I get that Tilt-A-Whirl and how much? That's perfect. Wow!

Seriously, more info would be appreciated. I interviewed the late Bruce Sellner when I worked in Faribault in the 1980s while Sellner Manufacturing was trying to develop a new ride for the future Mall of America. I can't ride on them -- don't ask -- but I appreciate this classic ride.

I wish I knew!!!!!! I tried several times to attempt to contact the maker, but he never responded. That is the most accurate Tilt A Whirl in O gauge that was ever made...I want 2 of them!!!!

Who made them?

Jim, whoever posted that video custom made them.

The Jones Family still makes rides as well http://scalecarnivalrides.com/index.html

ZWPOWER13 posted:

Jim, whoever posted that video custom made them.

The Jones Family still makes rides as well http://scalecarnivalrides.com/index.html

Got it. We're talking about someseriousmodeling talent on those custom-made rides. The second link is impressive, too, but they couldn't compare to the work of the modeler.

ZWPOWER13 posted:

Jim, whoever posted that video custom made them.

The Jones Family still makes rides as well http://scalecarnivalrides.com/index.html

They are pricey, but look superb. Based on their website, they are O scale:
"In about 1983 Edwin and Frances Jones began toying with all scales of amusem*nt rides. The first 2 years were HO guage and some G guage rides, as they built the first ones in Glassport PA they noticed a larger market in O scale rides for the model train layout enthusiast."

Just unpacked the 2 boxes of Lemax rides I recently received. After listening to the background music and narration of the misnamed "Tilt a Whirl" it was clear that Lemax called this piece the "Round Up". There is no indication of the name on the box as you can see.

Paul

Paul

Gentleman,

A historical note about the Ferris Wheel.

Eddie Ferris was my friend, he lived right here in Wilkinstownship/Churchill with his wife Janie. Eddie's Grandfather invented the Ferris Wheel ride and it was placed in Kennywood Park, as featured ride/exibit. Later the engineering was used all over the world in just about every amusem*nt park on earth. Eddie's Grandfather took very little money from those Parks using his engineering, even thou he did patented his engineering work. He told his son, Eddie's Father, that he had engineered the Ferris Wheel as entertainment, for children to ride on with their parents, here in the Pittsburgh, Pa area. He never dreamed that every amusem*nt park in the world would eventually want one. I saw the original miniature Ferris Wheel photo type, in Eddie's home quite often. Eddie had it on display in his dinning room, it still ran the day Eddie passed away, from Cancer. Eddie played Santa Claus to all the kids, stopping by his friends homes on Christmas eve each year, dressed in full Santa costume. He and my deaf daughter Vanessa Jane, were quite close. For those of you who live around Pittsburgh, Pa, and never met Eddies Ferris. You missed a Pittsburgh original living legend, he was that type of man. He was very proud that his Grandfather invented the ride and most every where people know what a Ferris Wheel happened to be. Eddie rides with his Grandfather and Father now, in God never ending Park. Sleep well my friend, your Grandfather's Ferris Wheel in Kennywood Park, still turns even today.

PCRR/Dave