SMOKE MACHINE LOCATIONS

The Dracula Experience, Whitby
Launched in the mid-1980s, this walk-through experience is one of the many reasons people visit Whitby. A 'Come to Britain' award winner in 1988, as seen on ITV's 'Wish you were here', the experience was at one time owned by the same people who owned the Friargate Wax Museum in York (now closed).

The first scene depicts Dracula rising from a well and warning visitors that they will "die by my hand". Behind the back wall of the well was an aerosol-based Martin Fogger 1600 activated by the infra red sensor that triggers that scene. The smoke hides the mechanics of the pneumatic Dracula torso and to add an element of mystery from the outset. Sadly due to a door being left unlocked, this machine was stolen from the attraction in the mid-90s and was not replaced. Dracula's animatronic mouth which was lip synced to the welcome warning (voiced by an actor from 'The Archers'!) was disconnected in about 1990 as it was causing queues as people waited to hear the full speech.

A second machine is located in the ship scene, showing a dead man lashed to the helm of a ship. The machine is a Martin Fogger Junior 700 and was initially on a timer, but later triggered by the infra red sensor. On occasion, the timer circuit shorted and the machine filled the entire building with smoke, causing visits from the fire brigade as the exit for visitors was at the rear of the building - an unattended exit.

I've been told that there was another machine in the Transylvanian winter end scene, but this was again stolen.

From what I remember seeing in the control room, as shown by John Corby, Pam Belshaw and Hazel Thompson, the incorrect fluid was used in both the Martin machines (Le Maitre Standard fluid in the round containers) and Le Maitre Standard fluid aerosols. Possibly this was sent from head office at the Friargate Museum in York without them knowing exactly which machines they had in Whitby.

In the late 1990s, under new ownership for the second time, what was once next door (an auction room) was turned into a simulator ride, and a Jem Fogger 3 was situated in the pit below the seating.

Latest news - smoke has been spotted drifting out from the exit staircase door.

Visited recently? Let us know if you saw smoke!

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