2006 Installation
- Coordinates: 53°57′36″N 1°05′44″W / 53.96°N 1.09556°W / 53.96; -1.09556
The Wheel was originally intended to be placed in the Tower Gardens on the other side of the River Ouse, opposite Cliffords Tower; however, because of residents' protests, the NRM site was preferred by the City of York Council. Planning permission was for three years.
In its first six months, the wheel carried 200,000 passengers.
It was the first observation wheel of its kind in North Yorkshire, and was inspired by the London Eye which opened a few years earlier. At 54 metres (177 ft), it was somewhat smaller than the 135 metres (443 ft) of the London Eye, but could be no higher than York Minster, York's skyline height limit.
The operation of the Wheel differed from that of the London Eye: visitors on the Wheel were allowed several rotations, and the wheel stopped to load and unload passengers. It had 42 pods, including a VIP pod with glass floor, screen, radio, and leather interior. Like the rest of the Railway Museum, it was licensed as a venue for weddings, and weddings did indeed take place there. Speed dating on St. Valentine's Day in 2007 also took place.
Norwich Union, which has its headquarters in York, were the sponsors of the Wheel, but that ended in late July 2007, after which the White Rose of York was added to the Wheel's centre.
On the Wheel's first anniversary, it was reported to have completed 32,500 revolutions.
In March 2008, tourist chiefs for the city called for the Wheel to become a permanent fixture beyond its three years.
On 27 August 2008, the local newspaper The Press reported that the Wheel might be moved to another site in the city, although a day later the opposition of conservation groups was noted.
The Wheel turned for its final time in its original location on Sunday 2 November 2008. It was subsequently dismantled and was expected to be shipped abroad.
Read more about this topic: Yorkshire Wheel