originally posted on 10/13/2025
Photo: Alex Rigsby. View full-sized image.
One of the most appealing things about being history and preservation director is never knowing what email is coming next. Late last year, a gentleman named Marko, who works as a brakemaster for Linnanmäki Park in Helsinki, Finland, wrote about the park’s scenic railway, Vuoristorata. I had been to the park before and knew how the ride was operated but never knew how tight knit of a unit the brakemasters are. The same week, an email arrived from Jo Pools, ACE Europe’s regional rep, wondering if ACE’s history team would consider Vuoristorata as an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark.
What was meant to be a temporary attraction for the 1952 Helsinki Olympic games has turned into 74 seasons for this classic wooden coaster. Opening July 13, 1951, Vuoristorata was and still is the most popular and ridden roller coaster at Linnanmäki. The coaster landmark presentation took place during ACE Europe’s visit to Linnanmäki as part of its Summerfest event.
Park and ACE officials and Vuoristorata brakemasters were represented in the ACE Roller Coaster Landmark presentation.
Photo: Jo Pools collection. View full-sized image.
The brakemasters celebrate ACE's recognition of their beloved coaster.
Photo: Jo Pools. View full-sized image.
The presentation of the plaque was an exciting moment, as the leadership team of the park, the brakemasters and all in attendance at Summerfest came out to the see the presentation and hear the speakers. Seeing the plaque displayed on the side of the coaster shortly after the presentation brought a lot of pride to the park and brakemasters as a recognition of one of the most recognizable landmarks in Helsinki.
The new Roller Coaster Landmark plaque was installed after the ceremony, alongside the 2021 plaque ACE gave the park in honor of Vuoristorata’s 70th anniversary.
Photo: Lee Ann Draud. View full-sized image.
Special thanks to the ACE History Team, Dave Hahner, Lee Ann Draud, Viki Chaffee, Jo Pools, Per Christian, the brakemasters and the team at Linnanmäki for their support and help with everything related to the plaque presentation. More information on the brakemasters can be found at: https://jarrumestarit.fi/en/jarrumestarit
— Josh Brown, ACE History and Preservation Director
#ACENews