90-year-old Ghost Train undergoes spooky 3D printed restoration

Since 1934, visitors to Luna Park in Melbourne, Australia have been spooked by the amusement park’s Ghost Train ride. This year, though, the historic dark ride—one of the oldest that still remains in operation—has undergone a bit of a facelift, and 3D printing has played a key role.

The Australian theme park commissioned Edward Felix, a specialist in animatronic engineering (who we covered in the past for his 3D printed ode to Little Shop of Horrors), to update the ride using budget-friendly solutions like 3D printing. The restoration and transformation began with a full 3D scan of the ride, which enabled Edward and his team to create a digital ride that they could design onto and experiment with before implementing any physical changes. Once the design was ready, the team started the process of bringing the virtual to life.

Bambu Lab‘s X1C 3D printers played a central role in the restoration project. These extrusion-based systems are best known for their ability to print up to 16 different colors thanks to Bambu Lab’s Automatic Material System (AMS). For the duration of the large-scale build, four of these 3D printers were used day in and day out, turning out all manner of spooky accessories and decorations, including lamps and candelabras, books, shelf decorations, and LED light housings.

“The key to making this project work was 3D printing,” elaborated Felix. “With the help of Bambu Lab’s advanced 3D printers, I was able to create custom pieces for every scene inside the ride. From intricate lighting fixtures to spooky props like candles, candelabras and even bookshelves, 3D printing allowed me to produce high-quality, bespoke parts that fit perfectly into the ride’s design.”

In addition to these 3D printed features, Felix and his team also developed a new ride control system with custom micro-scene controllers to enhance the effects of the Ghost Train ride. As a nod to the amusement park’s own history, Felix also integrated a scene for the mysterious “White Lady”, a ghost that is said to haunt Luna Park. Hand-painted murals, wallpaper and portraits were also included to complement the more technologically advanced flourishes.

The new and improved Ghost Train ride is now open at Luna Park, in time for the current spooky season. “The project was a labour of love, blending the rich history of Luna Park with the possibilities of today’s tech. If you find yourself in Melbourne, don’t miss the chance to ride the Ghost Train and experience its spooky new world,” Felix concluded.