Scenic Railway Catches Fire
April 11, 2008 – 8:49 am
Posted by lee
Dreamland in Margate has been closed for a while now, but plans were afoot to rebuild the park around one of the oldest rides of it’s kind in the world, the Scenic Railway. These plans were dealt a blow on monday evening when the ride caught fire and was heavily damaged.
The park was opened in 1920 with the Scenic Railway being the oldest operating coaster in the country. It is also the first amusement ride to be given a grade 2 listing, protecting it from ever being removed.
The fire damaged the ride’s lift hill, train shed and its trains. Police are treating the fire as arson and are currently looking for evidence to find the criminal.
About 60% of the ride is still stable, thanks to the efforts of local firefighters. Hopefully the ride can be rebuilt to what it previously was.
Photograph: Airads Ltd (www.airads.co.uk)
