We recently had the opportunity to interview Simon Baynham of the Roller Coaster Media Library. Thanks to Simon for taking the time to answer our questions. To begin with, for those who don’t know, what is the Roller Coaster Media Library?
What became The Roller Coaster Media Library (RCML) was started in the 1990’s with a small collection of 6 books and VHSs:
1) Roller Coasters Their Amazing History (R. Preedy)
2) Blackpool Pleasure Beach – Century Of Fun (P. Bennett)
3) Blackpool Pleasure Beach -100 Years Of Fun (P. Bennett)
4) Roller Coaster: Wooden & Steel Coasters, Twisters & Corkscrews. (D. Bennett)
5) White Knuckle (VHS)
6) Coaster Crazy (VHS)
The initial collection remained as such until 2002 when I decided to expand the library, which came about as a result of traveling further with various UK-based roller coaster clubs and my growing awareness of online book stores and sites such as eBay.
It was in March 2004 that the collection reached 10 VHSs, 25 books and 16 DVDs, and the first home-made RCML catalogue / booklet was made and mailed out to my growing army of coaster friends and acquaintances.
The idea was that friends would browse the list of books and films (and the brief descriptions) and email to say which titles they’d like to borrow. I would then dash to the post office with those items, and expect them returned via post in a month or two. All I asked for was funds to cover postage and packing.
The RCML website was designed by Anthony W. Smith and launched in May 2005, and this combined with the distribution of the catalog proved quite popular, and on some days I was making two trips to the post office. However, it soon became apparent that those sending enough payment to fully cover P&P was far outnumbered by those sending paltry amounts or nothing at all.
Furthermore, I was soon posting items to the USA and Australia, and when a particularly expensive or rare item was late in returning, it caused me much stress. Also, the number of DVD cases broken by the postal service was an added inconvenience. So, in February 2008 the postal lending service was stopped. Rather amazingly, during that time only one small package went missing without a trace. The two DVDs were easily replaced at little expense however.
After the printing of the tenth RCML catalogue in February 2008, the library had reached 88 VHSs, 272 books and 110 DVDs. Later in 2008, the RCML moved from Bolton to Blackpool (England, UK) and we started to welcome visitors to our base to conduct research into the industry: archivists, film-makers, authors etc… One visitor was authoring a book about the Lego Company and themed parks, another was writing a children’s book about fairytales involving roller coaster facts and tales. Furthermore, I have been involved in editing and proof reading a number of amusement park-related books which have since been published.
The RCML website was expanded in 2009 with the introduction of a cheesy gameshow host, Andy Shine. He was designed by a good friend based in Holland. Andy Shine introduces the site and invites visitors to play his multiple-choice amusement park and roller coaster quizzes. See how you do! Andy also reads every RCML book and watches all the films and gives each a rating: from ‘Poor’ to ‘Excellent / Recommended.’ But don’t take Andy too seriously.
We have just tipped the 600 items mark, and pretty much everything added to the RCML now are new items, although there’s a series of 12 older DVDs I’m trying to acquire. I think we’ve got pretty much everything now, though I have to be choosy when it comes to Coney Island (NY) and Disney items. There are far too many Coney Island and Disney items out there to shrink my wallet!
I like to think that the online RCML provides the best source of information about amusement industry publications and films. I like to think that we provide a useful user-friendly resource with a bit of lightheartedness and fun woven into the mix.
Simon under the Pleasure Beach Blackpool fountain in 2010
My favourite coaster is Tonnerre de Zeus at Parc Asterix (Plailly, France). My favourite steelie is probably Nemesis at Alton Towers (Staffordshire, England). However, I’ve yet to travel outside of Europe and the Nordic countries.
The RCML is pretty much chronological, so the oldest book is ‘Book #1’ about Elitch Gardens in the 1940s.
The oddest/rarest book is a book by ‘Adam Sandy’ called “Roller Coaster, An American Thriller.” though the popular Adam Sandy of Ultimate Roller Coaster fame didn’t write it. I believe the book is a one-of-a-kind and is most extraordinary. Call into our base in Blackpool to see why!
My favourite item is probably a DVD about Mountain Park in Holyoke Massachusetts. The park closed in 1987, and it’s amazing how much it is missed. The DVD is very nostalgic. I’m a sucker for nostalgia.
Future plans for the site? I’m thinking of adding an interactive quiz of some sort to win a small prize… It’s in the very early stages of development…
Visit us: www.rollercoastermedialibrary.com
Simon Baynham (Andy Shine’s Glamorous Assistant)
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