Dreamland Coaster on fire

c anderson · Dreamland Coaster on fire

It has just been shown on tv that the Scenic railway at Margate is on fire, looks bad. Jimmy Godden is very unlucky with fires.

Big Stevie B

What a joke

How many fires are going to happen to that property then?

Wondered how long this one would be.

Big Stevie B

Guess the Save Dreamland idea is over now then.

Some people are now smiling.

stealth fan

The word "Arson" comes to mind in my opinion. Any ideas if it can be saved?
Such a shame for another classic coaster after the demise of Cyclone. Crying or Very sad

c anderson

Live tv shows as if all the coaster is alight, what a shame

smiler

Link here dosnt look good at all very sad picture.

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kol08/article/default.asp?article_id=39861

Bunnie

As stealth fan said, the word arson springs to mind Sad

bluea61

I can't believe it, it makes you think of the A word. Looking at the pictures it looks like the end. I'm gutted. This will spell the end for the Save Dreamland Campaign.

Update: Video from you tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMY_c_aqM54

nemesis scribe

OMG

Truly shocking!!!

A sad day indeed for a once great park.

AD Sad

Big Stevie B

Margate is lost now. They may as well wipe it off the map. Go Thanet!

What happened to the 24 hour site security they had as of 2006?

My first ever coaster. The ride which created my love for coasters. Well they finally got there way didn't they.

Who needs a Morrisons or Lidl on a seafront? How will that bring back the glory years?

bluea61

I've heard the fire is now out, and its only about a 1/4 of the structure which is lost. Doesn't say about Station/Trains etc.

Magic

It's odd how not all the sturcture is alight yet the track is. It's like in cartoons when someone drives along leaving a trail of petrol and the flames chase around it. I wonder why the track was particularly flammable, I'd have thought it would have been more damp than the structure given all the recent snow.

Anyhow looks like I'll never get to ride this classic coaster and Margate will be getting a Morrisons (or similar) after all.

frosty

Margate was where I rode my first coaster - seems like eons ago now.

I can't remember what coaster was there at the time, but there was a ship that spent much of it's time at 90deg and then hung upside down (inverter ship?) < I never did ride the ship Wink

Bunnie

More news on BBC website:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/7335519.stm

Regatta

When the rest of the park closed, and the campaign started, I said to Andy (my son, not Nev) `I wonder how long it will be before we hear the coaster is on fire`!!!!!!!

Knowing the state of mind of most developers, I knew it would be just a matter of time. Mad

Arson is a wonderful way of getting rid of things `in the way`!!!

Okay, I`m not there and I don`t have any proof - but, hey, it seems pretty obvious to me.

After the fiasco of Southport, and all the hassle with `noise nimby`s, I`m starting to lose faith tbh! Crying or Very sad

Big Stevie B

I been on MSN moaning at everybody, lol.
Sorry Bunnie, Jess and Track. But was looking at my map i uploaded of the original park and the Scenici in the glory days of the park.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stev...sizes/l/in/set-72157601129534278/

The memories are all gone now. The people who took the video on You Tube sure uploaded it fast didn't they?

Big Stevie B

This is the link to the main site for the Dreamland Campaign. I have been following the site for a long time now.
http://www.savedreamland.co.uk/

Then there is the official forums which are part of the Joyland site. Makes for some very interesting reading and opinions.
http://www.joylandbooks.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1473

These photos have gone up of the damage. Taken by a local and posted on the Save Dreamland forums.
http://www.markproctorphotography.biz/gallery_136536.html

I`m totally gutted after looking at all of these and the other pictures from the forum. However there is a few photos on the sites which show a large portion of the ride still intact. Still something maybe to save. Wonder if the club or its members could take more involvement in helping the cause?
We could gain a heritage park out of it. With 3 classic woodies (Solomon's, Rhyl Water Chute and the Scenic?), plus the Minstrel and some of the other saved Southport rides.

Kirk

this is very sad news Sad

i keep looking at the brakeman seat i brough at the beginning of the save dreamland campaign and trying not to get upset Sad

oblivion

Really gutted to hear about this. Another classic coaster destroyed Sad

. I just hope that as the damage wasn't to the whole structure something can be done to save the ride but i am doubtful.

bluea61

The Save Dreamland Campaign is taking donations.

There is a former fireman on their forums who suggested the track seemed to burn too quickly condifering the snow/ice we have had.

The trians have also been destroyed which is a real shame. They are the originals and although replaceable is a terrible loss.

Big Stevie B

I was reading the Save Dreamland Forums and they brought up that the trains were quite unique. Due to the track and chassy? (I`m not up on the ride mechanics, i like to ride i`m not a geek)

They were saying the only ones similar are the Great Yarmouth ones which are fewer but in use. Or the ones in Australia. How easy would they be to re-create?

It is weird considering the Coaster has not been active since the 2006 season. So why would the shed/station have a reason to catch fire? If its electrics then why were they not turned off/disabled or something?

Plus after reading the news reports the locals were talking about thick black smoke. Saying it was as if something else was burning.

Its so strange because over the weekend i was looking at all my Dreamland stuff. Then i was thinking about the Scenic on Monday. Maybe a sixth sense.

Amberrider

This marvellous old woodie simply has to be saved and restored. We have so few wooden coasters in the UK.

c anderson

As we all suspected, the Police have said that the fire was arson.

hazzzzeeee

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/7335985.stm

I have just come across this from the BBC, i can't belive someone can do such a thing.
Margate itself are struggling to get tourists back and I don't think this will help, due to the other fires which have happened over the last few months.
I hope the scenic gets restored, but if it does it may be known as the coaster that caught fire and may not bring people back.

Big Stevie B

stealth fan

I'm hopefull aswell. It says 40% of the ride has gone, but the whole structure would have to be examined to the minutest detail to check for weakening. I reackon the charity coaster ride next year should be for the "Save the Dreamland campain". I want this coaster back. Despite it's age it had a real kick to it.

Rough Rider

As much as I am a woodie fan and hate to see this type of news,
I think it would cost a FORTUNE to replace this woodie or even reconstruct the damaged bits Crying or Very sad

and trains?
Saying that guys.................would you rather see any money raised, spent on a brand new WOODIE, which may encourage even more people back to the park????? especially Roller coaster enthusiasts?
Embarassed

AND... Joe Public??
Be gentle with me guys as it's just my view Crying or Very sad

David Ellis

Nick Laister and Dave Collard of the Save Dreamland Campaign have said that in their opinion the ride is rebuildable. About 25% has been destroyed, which is actually less than I thought it would be judging by the pictures and Youtube footage yesterday. The biggest loss is the trains.

I have already sent a donation tonight to the Campaign (which is by no means finished). I would encourage others in the club to help if they can.

David.

c anderson

The coaster needs to be rebuilt as it was to be the centerpiece of a heritage theme park. If it is not rebuilt then they will try to push through their original plans for offices,flats etc.
Dreamland needs to be saved, just think, a park of classic rides, be great and an asset to Margate. Just think of Tivoli, it could be fantastic

bradpeet

It seems that there are grounds for hope http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/7351636.stm

"A rollercoaster damaged in an arson attack looks set to be rebuilt after town planners decided its restoration should be made a legal requirement. "

Although I am sure we have not heard the last of the deliberations about this.

bluea61

Thats really positive news. Lets hope its followed through.

amigasat

I've re-uploaded the page from my 2006 European Trip where I visited Dreamland.

There are 105 photo's from the day and plenty of The Scenic Railway.

Photo's Only : http://www.amigasat.eu/euro13.html

Photo's and comments : http://www.amigasat.eu/euro13a.html

You can only get to the pages on the above links.

Great memories, hope you enjoy them.........

Dave