May 28, 201411 yr comment_184262 There's more bad news for what's been a bit of a depressing day themepark wise. Apparently the Scenic has been the target of arsonists again source Themepark Logic. News: Scenic Railway at Dreamland Margate targeted again by arsonists Sad news again this evening with reports there has been another arsonist attack on The Uk's Oldest Rollercoaster Scenic Railway at Dreamland Margate a statement by the Dreamland trust said: "There was an arson attack on the Scenic Railway this evening. The fire was successfully put out and there was minimal damage. The site is currently being boarded up and secured." The coaster last suffered damage from a similar incident in 2008 when 25% of the coaster was lost due to a major arsonist attack. Photos below some of the damage from the last attack in 2008 and the artist impression of how the Coaster will look after restoration as part of the Dreamland Trust... From the team here on TPL we hope the damage doesn't effect a wonderful ongoing project to reopen Dreamland as a heritage amusement park in the near future and I am sure this will now drive the trust on more to protect a bit of British Coaster History that people disrespect.
May 28, 201411 yr comment_184265 Absolutely awful! And to think that we breath the same air as idiots like that!
May 28, 201411 yr comment_184269 Dreamland Margate 43 mins · Edited · There was a suspected arson attack on the Scenic Railway this evening. The fire was successfully put out and there was minimal damage. The site is currently being boarded up and secured. Like · · Share · 162919 The actual source is Dreamland themselves, via their facebook page. Absolute scumbags. They need to get that place properly secure.
May 28, 201411 yr comment_184273 This is the sort of thing that I still fail to understand.... What sort of sickening kick would a person get from doing this sort of thing, I mean why, what's the point? Have they got some sort of grudge against Dreamland? They definitely need 24 hour security staff around there now that the regeneration is beginning as who's to say this wouldn't happen again otherwise. By the sounds of it this could have been a lot worse and put a huge dent into the regeneration cycle of the coaster and park.
July 31, 201411 yr comment_187923 Someone uploaded a video of the open day which I found through the Dreamland Margate page on facebook. It doesn't show much but better than nothing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs4FyXXCB-w That was my friend who did that video. She is part of the restoration team for Dreamland. But I can safely say to anyone who thinks Dreamland is on the move...it really isn't, I live near Margate, and went past it even yesterday, and it really is concrete with a very very sorry looking Wooden Coaster in the middle of what looks like now an abandoned industrial site. I have already expressed my views on Dreamland, but I really do not see it succeeding. I fear it will lose its battle either way. Sadly, Margate itself is not up to scratch that is required to ensure visitors from over the country to come visit it, especially with its limited nieche market for traditional rides. Sadly it just, in my opinion, won't succeed after a few years...that's if the project even starts at all! Nonetheless I hope it succeeds, and I will be the first one back when and if it is complete!
July 31, 201411 yr comment_187935 But the project is well started already? The real effort is on the rides themselves, which need a lot of restoring and a lot has been done. They are basically travelling rides so won't need much groundwork, the site does need work but it will not be much more than 'concrete with a very very sorry looking Wooden Coaster in the middle' with rides on it, especially in the early phases. It was never a pretty place, even in its heyday. And if you think heritage rides are too niche you've not been near Carters Steam Fair on a sunny afternoon! There's too much invested in this for it not to open now, if it can be made to work in the longer term is just impossible to say. I'd like to hope it can.
July 31, 201411 yr comment_187936 I've been past it a couple of days ago and its literally abandoned, weeds growing everywhere to the point of not being able to walk through, vandalism, busted fences, concrete ground with cracks and holes, if I didn't know about the plans on here I would have no idea, no VISIBLE work has happened. The main entrance is still abandoned with the sign falling down and again, the building looking hideous and obviously uncared for. They've got a lot of work to do on the site and so far there is not a single sign of any work happening other than in a workshop somewhere. I can only hope that they have the money to do all the work on the ground because it needs a lot just to get it looking useable again! I really do hope this project is successful as that end of Margate needs a real boost! The other end has the Turner Centre which, against most peoples first opinions, really brought up Margate old town and the whole area its in, the dreamland area however... Its like benefits street but on the coast
August 1, 201411 yr comment_187941 I think at the current time with Margate all the work is being focused on getting the rides they have gathered up to a safe standard of care... No point doing up the area if the rides aren't ready to be put in...
August 10, 201411 yr comment_188402 While it may seem like nothing is happening, work is well underway. The campaign is one of my primary interests so I always like to keep updated with the news. At the moment... - The Carousel, adult jets ride and Double Decker rocket ride are all being restored by David Littleboy offsite. - Work on refurbishing the mechanical elements of the Scenic Railway (motors, pull ups etc) are all being completed by WGH Ltd offsite - Interests to restore the Corbierre Wheel and Junior Whip have been received. (now finding best restoration method) - An operating company should have been selected by now (though I can't remember the exact date off hand) - Planning permission for the alteration/renovation of the lower ground floor cinema building and Scenic Railway have been submitted to the council. Work can't begin until permission is granted. Regardless of how it may look, work is happening.
August 10, 201411 yr comment_188405 They had a display in the cinema ground floor showcasing all vintage things from when the park was open, didn't get to look as I only drove past but I saw some old ride parts and machines etc
August 14, 201411 yr comment_188712 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-28783713 Blackpool have donated some of their old surplus illuminations to Dreamland, which is jolly nice of them and should look pretty good.
August 14, 201411 yr comment_188715 That was very generous of a Blackpool. Any news on the project so far, as hopefully everything's going to plan ready for its reopening.
September 9, 201411 yr comment_191433 Interesting look at the work which is ongoing to get the rides ready, and some wonderful old footage.
September 11, 201411 yr comment_191574 www.thanetgazette.co.uk/Work-Dreamland-s-Scenic-Railway-start-week/story-22905168-detail/story.html
September 11, 201411 yr comment_191577 Good to hear work is beginning on the scenic. I just hope it all goes to plan and the ride is reopen for 2015 freshly restored in it's former glory.
September 11, 201411 yr comment_191578 Fantastic, hopefully will quell the fears of the doubters that this is actually happening. Can't wait to get back on this fun little clasic.
October 4, 201410 yr comment_193744 https://www.facebook.com/savedreamlandcampaign/photos/ms.c.eJxlkEEOxEAIw35UTQIU5v8f60p7qOq5IcsoEC2VW3OvLDvdl14S0yCr4cRsONGiE0XHSaLEljedLGa5eaGPdNdB7iAJ~;m4dWb~;hS7QFR7PpDBvz33kAwcpLhg~-~-.bps.a.10152700322992427/10152718602892427/?type=1&theater Shun the non believers!
October 8, 201410 yr comment_194167 Looks like we have 'logo' for the park... Branding by Hemingway from the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.796520557057783.1073741833.247930755250102&type=1
October 8, 201410 yr comment_194178 Despite being fairly basic, it looks a good logo for the park, fits well and features two prominent items there, one being the scenic and the other being the theatre.
October 8, 201410 yr comment_194187 I like it. Very much looking forward to hopefully visiting this park if it opens next year.
October 8, 201410 yr comment_194208 I like it. Very much looking forward to hopefully visiting this park if it opens next year. Yeah, this project is very exciting and will hopefully be a success and reopen next year without problems. So far this is the thing I'm most excited about next year in the uk, considering there's been no word of anything new at Thorpe, a Blackpool & Oakwood (yet) plus Towers, Lego and a chessie won't be getting anything worthwhile either.
October 8, 201410 yr comment_194210 Yeah, this project is very exciting and will hopefully be a success and reopen next year without problems. So far this is the thing I'm most excited about next year in the uk, considering there's been no word of anything new at Thorpe, a Blackpool & Oakwood (yet) plus Towers, Lego and a chessie won't be getting anything worthwhile either. Oakwood are getting Sleepy Hollow (rumoured to be a Wild Mouse), BPB is rumoured to be getting an Air Race but apart from that there is nothing Two boring years in a row as far as new UK investment is concerned.
October 8, 201410 yr comment_194214 I fear the uk won't see another (proper) decent ride investment may not be until 2017, and that depends if Thorpe getting another coaster happens.
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