Putting it All Together...

So a few days ago we looked at the Grand Carrousel's initial assembly, and only a few days later work has progressed quickly. Saturday we saw the platform fully assembled and the addition of the two chariots. Today, Sunday even though the park wasn't open to the public we were invited by Brandon to take photos of the the appearance of what makes a carousel a carousel... the jumping horses.

Today we took a look at the 4th row of horses addition to the platform. With most classic carousels the 4th row features the smallest, and least ornate horses. However, even though the 1st and 2nd rows are home to larger and more ornate horses, each animal is just as valuable... these just happen to be more pint sized.

A few weeks ago I was asked why the platform was situated on a flat span of concrete. There are some carousels (mostly brass ring carousels) that actually have basements, and the jumping poles actually go through the floor. With most carousels though the brass pole slides up and down a steel pole. Its simple in its function, but its set up requires a great deal of care as we will soon see.

This is a bit of confusing photo, but basically whats happening here is that the carousel works employee with the screw driver is actually attaching the foot holds to the black inner pole (which the brass pole will cover).

Here is a better view, you can see the black steel footholds.

The brass covering is inserted over the black inner pole.

The same horse being hung. Each horse hangs from the cranking rod itself, which of course is what causes the horse to "jump". If you look up in the photo to the actually (cranking) rod, you will see another worker attaching the horse and bushing to the rod.

A little bit closer look up above.

An overall view. In this photo the horse is attached to the cranking rod above, and is being lined up to attach to the platform floor.

Attaching the horse to the platform floor. This process isn't as simple as it appears though as we will soon see.

Here is what I meant above. The pole has to be long enough so that the horse doesn't hit the floor, but so that it isn't so high above that a rider can't get aboard.

Another step in the process is measuring the inner pole, so that the brass pole can be cut to match.

Attaching the painted pony.

Outside of the horses themselves these painted wooden boxes are being assembled and attached to cover wooden braces.

More photos can be found on Facebook!