Margate’s famous rollercoaster the Scenic Railway destroyed by fire
Filed under: News | By: Kerry
Posted on: April 7, 2008 | 10 Comments
Today saw Margate’s famous rollercoaster, the Scenic Railway which was the centrepiece of Dreamland destroyed by fire. The Scenic was built in 1920 and was grade II listed. It’s said that the railway was the third oldest of its kind left in the world.
Police are said to be treating the fire as suspicious. Fire investigation officers will enter the site when it is declared safe.
Thanet District Council leader Sandy Ezekiel said that “It is devastating, it is tragic - I used to go on it when I was a kid. To see it like this is heartbreaking. It looks like a third of the scenic railway has been completely lost and all the carriages appear to have gone, if they were in the building next door which went up. When I arrived, the flames were 40-50ft high from the top of the ride. The fire brigade did a tremendous job in bringing it under control very quickly. The fire is now out and they are dampening down.”
My brother was one of the drivers for the Scenic railway and he used to love driving the train, and I can remember going on it all the time as a kid.
What are your memories of the Scenic railway?
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It is a bit funny how the plans of margates dreamland, to be developed into flats or resturants couldnt go ahead because the scenic railway was listed and it couldnt be knocked down.
Now its been burnt down!!
its strange how the goddon family have had an amusement park in ramsgate, margate and folkeston and they have all ad a major fire! on margate seafront two arcades have also been on fire and one even collapesed … strange but i tjhink obviuous!
Its About Time That Thanet District Council Woke Up To The Fact That There Is Corruption In Our Midst..And That They Are There To represent Us The Voters…But They Dont..Dreamland Was And Still Could Be The Best Thing That Could Happen To Thanet…Wake Up Thanet Council!!!!…REBUILD And Deny The Speculators That Are Bringing Thanet To Its Knees…REBUILD DREAMLAND Lets Have Something In Thanet That We Can All Be Proud Of…Something That Will Bring Visitors And Wealth Back To Thanet,Without Selling Off Our Heratage……Make Margate And Thanet PROUD Again…
he is a retard
its a real shame
there is a lot that you don’t know about dreamland site and who is involved in the plans for the site, but I will give you a big hint (Thanet council).
The Scenic Railway was not insured on purpose so people could not say jimmy Godden was doing it for insurance reasons.
this fire was arson as the timber would of been soaked from the snow the day before, so there would of been no way that the fire would of spread so quickly unless there was petrol involved. even if the ride was not burned down it would of cost over 100k to repair.
i think the police should lock him away
everyones memories down the drain!!!!!!!!!!theres nothing in margate now not much point in being here why bulid a turner centre wen no1 is gonna go there why not build a theme park again oh yh but that prat has burnt the main part of it!!!! he has recked margate destroyed everythin!!!!! i spent 13 years of my life going there and going on that ride every week loads of child hood memories but there all gone!!!!!!!!! well i guess goddon anit gonna come out for a bit is he er no!!!!!!!lock him up n chuck away the key maybe there will b things left in margate!!!!!!
Dubious, and horrific.
Last year an amusement arcade owned by the developers burnt down, opening space for a potential exit road to the proposed housing development for the site.
Only a week ago another amusement arcade was set alight, this would make a fantastic entrance road.
And now the thorn in the developers big ugly paw has been torched. This gem of Margate, loved by thousands has been tarnished beyond repair for the good of a few. Dubious? Yes. Calculated and corrupt? We the unintelligent neo-phobes of Margate, would not hear of it?
It is a sad time for Margate but as you will see, there has been a lot of press exposure on the fire.
Hopefully, once the Police locate the timing device that started the fire, the “business men” in charge will be brought to justice.
The previous fire on the seafront, burnt any evidence of arson. This time the railway is still standing, with evidence? Maybe its time for Godden and his partners to hand in their passports to the police. If only to stop them from running to a safe country.
Thanet District Council/The Police/Godden, the country has Margate’s attention now. Don’t disappoint the local people by dragging your heels with repair work and prosecutions. The time to act is now, don’t let the memory of Dreamland fade with the smoke.
Quick action will bring the people back to the place they know and love, Dreamland!
The press exposure shows that people know and love Dreamland, whether they live in Thanet or Edinburgh. The people of Margate having been telling you this for a long time, restore it to its former glory and the people will flock here.
I see that “Godden Strikes Again” T-shirts are selling well on e-bay!
Before I go, I big thank you to the Fire Service for saving a majority of the Railway. Much respect!
It is so sad that the one remaining attraction in Thanet has gone. What’s left for visitors to this part of England - Westwood Cross? It can hardly compare!
I met my Fiance on the Scenic Railway (he was the fit bloke driving it!) and have so many fond memories.
I hope whoever did this (we don’t know it was Godden) gets what’s coming to them and I hope that the people of Thanet can take this as their cue and stand up and fight against the housing plans to get our Dreamland back!! I, for one, would contribute towards rebuilding the ride and I’m sure I’m not the only one who would!
it is a shame i want it back i was really good