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coastin
Posts:511
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| 04/07/2008 4:42 PM |
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The 1920 Scenic Railway at Dreamland in Margate, UK, caught fire and burned about 30% of the ride today including the station and the workshop where the trains were located. Photo Credit Nick Evans.
JimA
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GregVanG
Posts:865
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| 04/07/2008 10:09 PM |
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In the latest news stories, it was assumed that the trains were lost in the fire as well. What a shame! I really enjoyed the ride the last time I was in the UK,
Greg |
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admin
Posts:1495
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| 04/08/2008 9:01 AM |
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by Kent Messenger New Media. © Kent Messenger Limited 1998 - 2008
The fire that seriously damaged Margate’s historic Scenic Railway is being treated as a possible case of arson by police.
The iconic historic wooden structure went up in flames just before 5pm on Monday and by 5.30pm the wooden rollercoaster’s drop collapsed.
Hundreds of people crowded around the disused fairground in the centre of Margate to watch as the historic ride - which was built in 1920 and was Grade II listed - gave way to the flames.
More than 60 firefighters from across the county attended the scene and at one point fire officers had to ask the water board to increase the water pressure as they struggled to get the fire under control.
A thick plume of black smoke and ash drifted over Margate and the fire was visible from as far away as Birchington.
~ See dramatic pictures of the Scenic Railway fire>>>
Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Chris Newberry said: "About 40 per cent of the structure has collapsed but we have managed to save the rest of the Scenic Railway.
"We are keeping an eye on a small section which is in slight danger of collapse, but the rest of the structure appears to be stable."
The main section of the structure and the train shed was the most badly damaged, and the railway cars have also been lost.
Kent Police spokeswoman said the cause of the fire was still under investigation but was being treated as suspicious.
The Scenic Railway has not been in use for two years, but it was hoped that it would eventually reopen to boost tourism.
The ride was to have formed the central plank of all the regeneration plans for the Dreamland site.
As he watched the smoke billowing 60ft into the air over the town, Thanet council leader Sandy Ezekiel refused to accept that it was a funeral pyre for the hopes and dreams of the town’s seaside regeneration plan.
He said: "This is not the end of the road for Dreamland. And neither have we seen the last of the Scenic Railway. I sincerely hope that it can be repaired and if this is viable, it will be done.
"In common with everyone who has worked so hard to rebuild Margate’s tourist industry, I am devastated by what has happened."
The Margate scenic railway is believed to be the third oldest example of this kind of rollercoaster left in the world after Melbourne, Australia (1912) and Copehagen, Denmark (1914).
Local councillor and former Margate mayor Mick Tomlinson said he was “devastated” by the fire.
He said: “It is unbelievable. Just when we start something new in Margate, we lose something else.
“When I saw all the smoke billowing up and realised it was the Scenic Railway, I was devastated.
“I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes, like many of the others who watched the fire take hold.
“It is very sad for Margate, especially with the summer season so close.”
He added: “I am positive that the ride must be rebuilt, and let’s just hope it is back up and running again soon.”
Photos below from website http://www.kentonline.co.uk/news/default.asp?article_id=39861
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admin
Posts:1495
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| 04/08/2008 9:10 AM |
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More information by Kent Messenger New Media. © Kent Messenger Limited 1998 - 2008
The destruction of Margate’s Scenic Railway marks the end of an era for the town.
Built by John Henry Iles when he opened the Dreamland fairground in 1920, the traditional ride was a physical reminder of the town’s golden years as a bustling seaside resort.
In its first full season, the railway - constructed from tough Canadian Douglas fir - carried more than one million people and paid for itself within the first few weeks
But Monday’s fire was not a first for the ride – it is the fifth major blaze to hit the ride in its history.
~ Share your memories of the Scenic Railway in our SpeakOut>>>
After it caught fire in 1949, large parts of the old wooden Lowestoft pier were used to rebuilt it, although hundreds of ten-inch nails had to be removed first.
It became a Grade II listed structure in 2003 and is the third oldest wooden roller coaster in the world, and the oldest in the UK.
In 1989 the popular television sitcom Only Fools and Horses saw Del Boy, Rodney and the gang enjoy a day out at Dreamland and the Scenic Railway for the Christmas special, The Jolly Boys Outing.
Report published 9:37am on Tuesday 8th April 2008
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admin
Posts:1495
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| 04/09/2008 7:26 AM |
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More information from: http://www.kentnews.co.uk/kent-news/Arsonists-blamed-for-rollercoaster-fire-newsinkent11739.aspx
Arsonists blamed for rollercoaster fire
The blaze that badly damaged an iconic rollercoaster at a Kent amusement park was an arson attack, police have confirmed.
Specialist police and fire investigations teams believe the fire was started deliberately after sending samples from Dreamland in Margate off for analysis.
Around 40 per cent of the Grade II-listed wooden rollercoaster, the Scenic Railway, was destroyed by the fire, which was started at about 4.45pm on Monday.
Kent Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to contact Margate Police Station.
Thanet District Council has said that the rollercoaster, which is thought to be the oldest of its kind in the world, could be rebuilt and pledged to do everything in its power to ensure that happens.
Cllr Sandy Ezekiel, the council’s leader, said: “Our conservation and planning officers have a wealth of technical expertise that can be called upon by the owner if they require it and we would be happy to offer them help and advice.
“In the first instance, we are calling on the owners of the site to take urgent action to ensure that security at the site is stepped up, in view of what's happened.”
It is the third time fire has broken out at the seafront site, the council said.
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Craig Burda
Posts:375
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| 04/09/2008 4:25 PM |
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The leader of the Save Dreamland Campaign says that he is certain that Margate’s fire-damaged Scenic Railway roller coaster can be restored.
Nick Laister says: “It is now over 48 hours since the sad events of Monday afternoon and we have a much better picture of the extent of the damage and the prospects for repair. I have spent the last couple of days contacting as many people in the amusement park industry as possible to satisfy myself that the skills and expertise are available to repair the Scenic Railway. Several people who know the Scenic Railway well, and who have maintained the ride over the years, have told me that repairing the structure will not be a major task. They are also willing and able to get involved with the restoration. In addition, companies which are specialists at reconstructing and replicating wooden roller coasters in the UK and overseas have confirmed that, given the extent of damage, plans can be drawn up and the ride rebuilt. I have forwarded these details to Dreamland’s owners. With all this local knowledge, the expertise of wooden coaster specialists and the hundreds of photographs of the ride, I am now convinced that a rebuild is possible and achievable.”
About 25% of the footprint of the Grade II listed roller coaster – the oldest in the UK – was destroyed by fire on Monday. Police have announced that the fire was started deliberately and investigations are continuing.
Representatives from English Heritage today visited the Dreamland site to assess the damage to the Scenic Railway.
"Based on our visit today, the damage is not as significant as was first presented to us," said Peter Kendall, English Heritage Team Leader for Kent and East Sussex. "We are categorically of the view that the ride is repairable. We will work with everyone else to achieve that end."
The blaze has resulted in hundreds of people signing up to the Save Dreamland Campaign. Nick Laister says: “I can’t remember any time since we started the Campaign in January 2003 when there has been such an influx of new members. Our online Forum is busier than it has ever been. I am genuinely heartened by the huge response from the people of Margate - and from around the country - who have all expressed their outrage that this much-loved listed building could have been damaged in this way. I am pleased that Dreamland's owners, the Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company Ltd, have acted swiftly in getting people onto the site to assess the damage, and I have personally told the Company Chairman, Toby Hunter, that we will do everything we can to help him with the task of restoring the ride."
Nick adds: "For the time being the most important thing is to stop this from becoming another Brighton West Pier, with a series of further arson attacks. Security at the site must be stepped up immediately to protect this now extremely vulnerable listed building."
Thanet District Council has already called for security at Dreamland to be stepped up following the arson attack. Council Leader, Sandy Ezekiel, who called the ride "the single most important piece of the town’s cultural heritage", has said that the Council expects the owners to rebuild the structure as soon as possible.
ENDS
Information for Editors
The campaign is currently accepting donations. Cheques should be made payable to the Save Dreamland Trust and sent to Sarah Vickery at: The Shell Grotto, Grotto Hill, Margate, Kent CT9 2BU. The campaign's Paypal email is sarah@savedreamland.co.uk. All donations are administered by Trust treasurer Sarah Vickery.
The Save Dreamland Campaign was launched in 2003 to save the Dreamland Pleasure Park, Margate, home of the UK’s oldest roller coaster, the 88-year-old listed Scenic Railway.
The Campaign is led by planning expert Nick Laister, a planning consultant working within the British amusement park industry. The Campaign is now speaking on behalf of over 13,000 people, including local residents, businesses and organisations such as the Margate Historical Society, Margate Civic Society, the Isle of Thanet Hotel and Guest House Association, European Coaster Club, Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain and SAVE Britain’s Heritage.
The official campaign website is www.savedreamland.co.uk. The campaign can be emailed at campaign@savedreamland.co.uk. The address for all correspondence is Save Dreamland Campaign, The Shell Grotto, Grotto Hill, Margate, Kent CT9 2BU.
The Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company acquired Dreamland in March 2005 and plans to redevelop the site. The majority shareholder of MTCRC is Reading-based Waterbridge Group. The current proposals are for a mixed use redevelopment, to include a heritage amusement park similar to that proposed by the Save Dreamland Campaign.
Dreamland Pleasure Park is located at Belgrave Road, Margate.
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admin
Posts:1495
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| 04/18/2008 10:50 AM |
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Latest Update:
'We're determined to save attraction'
PRESSURE group Save Dreamland Campaign has been inundated with offers of support and is working with the park's owners Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company, (MTCRC).
Campaign leader Nick Laister said: "I am heartened by the huge response from the people of Margate and from around the country who have all expressed their outrage that this much-loved listed building could have been damaged in this way.
"Dreamland's owners acted swiftly to assess the damage, and I have told MTCRC boss Toby Hunter we will do everything we can to help restore the ride.
"I have contacted as many people in the industry as possible to satisfy myself that the skills and expertise are available to rebuild the Scenic Railway. Repairing the damage may not be as arduous as first thought.
"People who know the Scenic Railway well, and who have maintained the ride over the years, are willing to get involved with the restoration.
"In addition, Blackpool Pleasure Beach has confirmed it would project manage the restoration, from design through to operation, using its team of wooden roller coaster experts.
"They rebuilt a fire-damaged wooden coaster at the park in 2004, built several replica wooden coasters as far away as Mexico and India, and maintain the large number of historic roller coasters at the huge Lancashire amusement park.
"With the hundreds of photographs available, significant expertise at the council - and even a privately-owned scale model of the ride - I am convinced a rebuild is possible and achievable."
Thanet Extra, 18 April 2008
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admin
Posts:1495
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| 06/30/2008 10:06 AM |
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Another Update on the Park:
Per kentnews.co.uk
Heritage amusement park plan for Dreamland
The iconic listed rollercoaster and cinema at Margate’s Dreamland could become part of the world’s first heritage amusement park.
Campaigners welcomed this week’s announcement that the Prince’s Regeneration Trust had been commissioned to produce a report into the seaside site by its owners, Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company, and the Margate Renewal Partnership.
The Scenic Railway, which is the only listed rollercoaster in the world, was Dreamland’s star attraction when it opened in 1920 – but an arson attack in April destroyed 20 per cent of it.
Nick Laister, leader of the Save Dreamland Campaign, said: “This is evidence that all the parties mean business – the trust has been commissioned, which is costing money, so that is a sign we are moving forward.
“While it is standing in its current state it is now a vulnerable structure and I am concerned we do not end up another Brighton west pier with one arson attack after another until the whole thing is gone.
“In the short term we need to get it rebuilt and repaired which will be a positive sign for the people of Margate.
“If scaffolding is up it will signal that things are changing and regeneration is underway.”
The trust’s other main focus at the site is the cinema, which dates from the 1930s.
Roland Jeffery, the trust’s project advisor, said the cinema was historically even more important than the rollercoaster as it had recently been upgraded to Grade II*, making it among the top eight per cent of listed buildings in the UK.
The trust said it was of “pioneering style”. It was designed in 1933 by architects Leathart and Grainger and its ‘brick fin’ has become an iconic landmark on Margate’s esplanade.
It also served a variety of functions with restaurants, bars and a dancehall.
Mr Jeffery agreed that work at the site needed to start as soon as possible, he said: “The sooner the better as it is going to deteriorate if it is not maintained.”
He said the trust has just completed the report and was preparing to pass it back to its partners.
“We believe it [the Scenic Railway] is repairable. The challenge is to make it viable again. We have written a scoping report designed to map out the way forward so there is an awful lot of work still to do, including specialised studies into how it is going to be developed and brought forward, so this is just the beginning.
“It will take substantial investment,” he said.
Derek Harding, programme director at Margate Renewal Partnership, said one of the partnership’s key roles was to bring in investment from other agencies and said the Heritage Lottery Fund, Sea Change, which is a new fund especially for coastal resorts, and Seeda, Kent’s regional development agency, were being explored.
He said: “Our aspirations will require commitment and investment from a range of different parties. We are working closely with the owners to bring forward redevelopment plans for the site, which is probably the most important in Margate, if not Thanet.”
Mr Jeffery said he had a special personal interest in seeing Dreamland back in use as a rollercoaster fan, saying he travelled the world enjoying different rides.
He added: “We do deal with all sorts of projects, but we have never dealt with a rollercoaster so this is pretty special.”
Planning regulations for the site state that 50 per cent must remain an amusement park and the rest can be redeveloped as a mixture of retail, leisure and housing.
Campaigner Mr Laister said: “It will be the world’s first heritage amusement park.
“We have begun collecting vintage rides from parks such as Southport and Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach.
“It will almost be like a living museum – visitors will see the rides operating, enjoy them and find out about the history of them.”
He added that the trust’s experience of using heritage for regeneration was welcomed and their involvement would add weight to the project.
The trust is one of 19 charities which the Prince of Wales in president of, it is concerned with both the preservation of the UK’s heritage and promoting urban and rural regeneration in areas of social and economic deprivation.
A Kent Police spokeswoman said the investigation into the Scenic Railway arson attack was continuing and added “it is anticipated there may be some updates shortly”.
POSTED: 29/06/2008 12:00:00
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