Scenic Railway Fire Extinguished
April 7th, 2008 > Posted in: Dreamland
No doubt you will already be aware that the Scenic Railway caught light earlier this evening. I have just returned from the the sea front, and at the time of writing (7pm), the fire seems to have been extinguished and bought under control. I would estimate that at least a quarter of the railway has collapsed.
Police are regarding the fire as suspicious- what with Dreamland’s recent firey reputation, it seemed only a matter of time before an attempt would be made to clear the listed structure.
I’ll go out on a limb, and suggest that any arson attempt has fallen short. The majority of the coaster is still intact – we must of course wait for any police verdict, but it should now pass to Thanet District Council to put their foot down and stand up for Thanet residents, by demanding the swift repair and restoration of Margate’s most treasured listed landmark.
We need to take action here, to resist further demolition and for everything the Save Dreamland Campaign has worked for. Those that care for Margate and for Dreamland simply can’t lie down and admit defeat – the interests of a few businessmen cannot be allowed to dictate. We must be vocal and demand that the interests of local people are at the forefront of any decisions made regarding Dreamland’s future.
Update
09/04/08: Thanet Police have confirmed that they are treating Monday’s fire as arson.
Despite this, I regret to say that I have needed to edit several potentially libelous comments regarding the fire. I would ask you to please keep any accusations non specific.
Monday April 07, 2008 at 8:10 pm
I’m so upset by this news. Not to say I was suprised, I think everyone in Margate knew this day would come. I hope something can be done to stop one of the oldest wooden rollercoasters in the world to be demolished.
Monday April 07, 2008 at 8:17 pm
I’m devastated but not really surprised with the fire on the scenic, and i think that will be the same for a lot of people. The sceneic and Dreamland has been part of Margate for years and part of peoples lives and youth.
I worked in dreamland for a number of years and felt proud to be there, especially on busy bank holidays. It was as much fun working there at times as it was visiting.
Now what?
It’s turning into Exodus [the bleak film they filmed here}
soon the beaches will be privately owned and fenced off.
We have to stand up and make a lot off noise about this. how much more of margate can they kill?
Monday April 07, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Completely agree with your comments regarding restoring the scenic railway, I havent seen the state of it since the fire as I was working when it started, but the people who have done this cannot get away with it.
Restore it to as it was, or if thats not possible build something in rememberance for it there, for if no other reason to kick those cunts responsible in the teeth.
Monday April 07, 2008 at 9:42 pm
****** next victory i take this?
Whoever’s done has obviously received a payoff from Mr ******, as this ain the work of a few pricks with matches.
I say this as someone who knows ******, and as the son of someone who owned dreamland.
What next?
Monday April 07, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Hope the new Turner Arty Farty center has plenty of insurance. Seems strange that the tourists attractions what is left of them keep getting burnt.
Monday April 07, 2008 at 10:52 pm
I Think it is very sad about the scenic railway,
as it was apart of my past i used to go round & around
on it when i was a child, it is not used anymore but it’s still apart of margate.
Tuesday April 08, 2008 at 12:16 am
WHAT A SUPRISE A CERTAIN RICH MAN WANTS AN ENTRANCE TO DREAMLAND HE IS REFUSED SO BURNS AN ARCADE TO ACQUIRE AN ENTRANCE , HE THEN POCKETS THE MONEY AND IS NOT FORCED TO REBUILD THE ARCADE THUS LEAVING HIM HIS ENTRANCE, NOW HE KILLS THE LAST DECENT THING IN MARGATE , NO DOUBT THEY WILL NOT REBUILD IT THEY WILL RE LOCATE IT OR DEMOLISH IT!
MARGATE IS AS GOOD AS DEAD , GIVE THE 5 STAR NAYLAND ROCK TO OUR FOREIN FREINDS , BUILD A NEW LONDON DOME ! I MEAN TURNER CENTRE , SPEND HALF A MILLON ON SOME STONES AND BENCHES BY THE TRAIN STATION MORE COUNCIL TAX MONEY WELL SPENT!, MARGATE IS AS GOOD AS FINISHED AND IS PASSING THE POINT OF NO RETURN…
Tuesday April 08, 2008 at 12:53 am
i think some one should do something about ****** before he gets some one killed another pice of margates history destroyed thanks to the good old ******
Tuesday April 08, 2008 at 1:11 am
Mr G is facing a day of reckoning with the people I think. I wonder how well paid his PR staff are? Like Kat says we all expected it to burn and now it has – surprise surprise! I’ll say no more in case the JG crew want to play with matches near my house if you know what I mean.
Tuesday April 08, 2008 at 1:15 am
THE SCENIC RAILWAY,
is a ( GRADE 2 LISTED ESTABLISHMENT GRANTED 2002/3)
UNFORTUNATELY, GRADE 2 LISTED STATUS DOES NOT COME WITH COMPULSARY RE-BUILD ORDERS. AND TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE THE FEATURED ESTABLISHMENT IS NOT INSURED.
THE ONLY WAY THIS RIDE / ESTABLISHMENT WILL GET RE-BUILT IS IF GODDEN PAYS FOR IT. AND WE ALL KNOW THAT WONT HAPPEN!! Need i say more…
THERE IS ONE OTHER POSSIBILITIE..
NATIONAL HERRITAGE TRUST COMMITTEE,OR THE NATIONAL LOTTERY TRUST FUND, BUT BECAUSE THIS IS A PRIVATELY OWNED STRUCTURE, IT WONT HAPPEN, THE OTHER OPTION IS A COMPULSARY PURCHASE. THIS IS USSUALLY ARRANGED BY TDC, AND WE ALL KNOW THAT WONT HAPPEN EITHER..
SO COME ON EVERYONE”
SURELY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!!!!!
LETS ALL STOP TALKING AND SOBBING OVER HOW BAD MARGATE HAS BECOME IN THE LAST 20 YRS.. AND LETS ALL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
THERE ARE PLENTY OF US,!! WE HAVE THE WORST ROADS IN KENT, BUT YET WE ALL PAY CAR TAX, AND WE ALL PAY COUNCIL TAX, SO WHY IS IT ALL SO BAD ??
LETS CONSIDER THE FACTS.. THANET DISTRICT HAVE A HAND IN ALL THIS,
THE MARGATE REGENERATION COMMITTEE ARE ALL CURRUPT, AND SO ARE THE OWNERS OF THE DREAMLAND SITE- JIMMY AND FRIENDS, ( OOPS, PLANNING OFFICER OF TDC. )- THEY ARE ALL A PART OF THE SAME GROUP” THE ONES RESPONSIBLE FOR CLAMPING INOCENT PEOPLES CARS, BECAUSE THEY’VE PARKED SOMEWHERE WRONG?? 100 QUID RELEASE FEE!!! IE: MULTI STOREY CAR PARK ARLINGTON TOWERS, WHICH I MITE ADD IS 3/4 OWNED BY JIM,
STELF TACTIC’S…
LOOK– ONLY 15 MILES DOWN THE ROAD IS HERNE BAY ”
WHAT A LOVELY PLACE!! THEY ARE GOVERNED AND RUN UNDER CANTERBURY CITY COUNCIL.. AND INDEED’ SO MUCH MORE BETTER RUN THAN TDC.
SURELY–WE CAN ALL VOTE A REFERENDOM IN FAVOUR FOR POOR MANAGEMENT OF TDC. CURRUPTION,, IF WE CAN PROVE IT…
AND GET THEM OUT.??
IF ALL IN FAVOUR, VOICE YOUR OPPINIONS HERE,
Tuesday April 08, 2008 at 8:14 am
Yep, as you read above it is kind of obvious what these rich big boys are up to (and in that I include Sandy Ezikiel (I call him Ezykill!)) They are are not interested in Margate just what they can gain from it. I f***ing love this town, but these self interested scum bags have taken it over and are whipping it to death for their own benefits. I am so angry! why can’t we get together and march on the council and demand our town back! It is becoming somewhere crossed between a refugee camp and a giant housing estate. Wonderful things are possible for Margate, we could easy pedestronise the seafront road and fill it with chairs and let musician ect. play there like similar to European town centres. We have such potential here but at the top just a bunch of self serving sods!
Tuesday April 08, 2008 at 10:14 am
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…
Tuesday April 08, 2008 at 6:17 pm
I’m so saddened and angry to see the news. While Grade II listing doesn’t enforce rebuilding, I wonder if TDC will be ensure that it has a chance of being rebuilt by restricting planning permission for anything else on the site. And judging by the photos in the news section of the Save Dreamland Campaign site http://www.savedreamland.co.uk/, there is a really good portion of the structure left intact. Hope to God this means they can resist any application for demolition. These destructive selfish people within our midst must not be allowed to win.
Tuesday April 08, 2008 at 10:55 pm
how sad sad sad,
It only says it all when local people for once agree on something,
Maybe people should get together,and inflict the very pain and misery you feel on the culprits.
Greed is the cause of this fire and downhill of a once beautiful and thriving island.
we can all reminiss but its sad to say. That, probably was margates very last hopes of ever reviving the tourism trade.
well chin chin as the rich fatboy spills his champagne,and realises what a big mistake he has made,
we have had this rumour floating around for a while about a fire.
i wonder how long he will be smiling for.
Wednesday April 09, 2008 at 4:22 am
My letter to the Gazette today in case it’s not printed!…
By the way I didnt know about the grade 2 thing, or the no insurance… that doesnt look promising…
__________________________________________
So the ritual sacrifice of the Scenic Railway makes page 8 of the Sun – ‘Roller Toaster’, and even a spate of text messages stating that ‘Organisers have admitted that diverting the Olympic Torch through Dreamland Margate admit a mistake’… but really the people of Margate standing under that awful black cloud were far from happy.
No one there and talking – the people, journalists, the fire brigade, the police (all off the record of course) believed this was anything other than arson. There was only one explanation on everybody’s lips. The motivation: greed, with a complete distain for the feelings of the people of this town.
Sandy Eizeikel (Council ‘leader’) has already said he wants to see the Scenic Railway rebuilt. This should surely be beyond question.
This huge, famous and loved structure was recognised as having worldwide historical importance by English Heritage and protected for so many good reasons. Firstly because it is one of only three surviving in the world (the others in Australia and Denmark), but more personally for those that experienced it, the memorable ride. Not computer operated like modern ‘theme’ rides, but that whole shaking, rumbling, wooden terror supposedly ‘controlled’ by the brakesman pulling on his lever. People came from other countries to ride it.
To see the same firemen who soaked it to protect it during the burning of Anthony Gormley’s Waste Man now helpless, facing the arrogant flames and choking smoke of The Arsonist was gutting.
This pride of Margate was extensively and diligently repaired after damage in 1949, before it was listed – and it should be again, at the centre of the Margate Funfair as it always was and as the people want it to be. Not a second rate shopping arcade and housing estate clearly favoured by our awful Council. We can leave that to the thrill – seekers of Westwood Cross. People won’t travel to see that -or remember it for years afterwards.
How did we come to be so helpless in the face of ‘consultancy companies’ that tell us that all we want to do is shop..? And greedy businessmen getting away with pouring petrol over a heritage that belongs to us all..? Whose grabbing and bickering has slowly brought this town to it’s knees..?
(Don’t just believe me – Google ‘Save Dreamland’ to find some other positive, imaginative and realistic people.)
Wednesday April 09, 2008 at 7:08 pm
The ace says:
****** strikes again, it such a disgrace that he will get away with this criminal behaviour, again. It was only two years ago that I was on the scenic railway.
At the time the operator said to me (an employee of ******’s) that the ride would burn to the ground, the fire would start where the trains are stored. I think ******’s henchmen have been clever and used the arson at the Tivoli Arcade as a smoke screen. We all know these fires have nothing in common.
I’m shocked to see that this listed building had no security what so ever. Easy prey for the fool’s with the matches.
I feel it was ******’s intention to burn the railway to the ground. However, it looks like the fool’s he paid got confused between 5pm and 5am?
I believe it time for the people of Margate to stand up against this criminal behaviour. We must ensure that our Council Tax contributions go to restoring this great site.
Margate will be empty and pointless without its theme park. I feel that people should boycott ******’s business ventures, Wally World, etc.
If the building work(flats, etc) does start on the site, I hope its cursed. We should block the work and boycott the sale of any future apartments.
This is one fire too many, we must act now and quickly.
The smoke may have dampered our spirits but the fight for our Dreamland has grown stronger!
Wednesday April 09, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Richard Banson please come and rescue our Dreamland!
Wednesday April 09, 2008 at 11:36 pm
I mean Richard Branson!
Whilst I’m sitting here getting more annoyed, I thought I would have another rant.
Whilst Godden and his business partners sit around sipping fine wine. Listening to the “The Prodigy – I’m a Fire Starter, a twisted Fire Starter.
The whole of Margate and the UK, looks on in disbelief that such a criminal act could take place. No doubt some sort of timing device was used to start the fire? As no-one was seen running from the scene?
The country is watching Thanet District Council/Godden/The Police, so please act quickly. Don’t drag your heels in restoring this country’s finest fair ride. Lets hope a device is found and the police can prosecute those involved. It might be a good idea to hold the passports of the owners, before they disappear to a safe country!
The previous fire on the seafront was probably arson but because of the damage, all the evidence was burnt. This time it would seem that the evidence is still standing and holds the evidence to prove that this was a planned arson attack. An attack to finally kill the Dream of restoring Dreamland to its former glory.
As I previously mention the country is watching, people know and love Margate and Dreamland. The press exposure goes someway to proving that people do care about its future and that’s not just the people in Margate.
Without the Scenic Railway operating, Margate has no real future. The Turner Center is a nice idea but whom in their right mind would want to walk past burnt down buildings and closed down shops to gain entry to an Art Center?
Dreamland was milked for every penny when it was popular and non of that money was re-invested by our local council. Where has all the money gone?
People in Margate are up in arms about this attack and it will not go away until someone is found responsible. Let’s start again, re-build the Scenic Railway, added more thrill rides, a few shops and then at least when people do come to the Turner Center, they can take their children to the finest theme park in the country.
The Scenic Railway was the last stumbling block for developers, it now stands a lone and fragile figure. It still captures the imagine and should not be allowed to die for the sake of development.
Many towns in the past have sold their soul and now are empty crime ridden communties, don’t let this happen to Margate.
A favorite poem!
There are in our existence spots of time,
That with distinct pre-eminence retain
A renovating virtue, whence–depressed
By false opinion and contentious thought,
Or aught of heavier or more deadly weight,
In trivial occupations, and the round
Of ordinary intercourse–our minds
Are nourished and invisibly repaired;
A virtue, by which pleasure is enhanced,
That penetrates, enables us to mount,
When high, more high, and lifts us up when fallen.
Friday April 11, 2008 at 1:32 am
The loss of the trains is tragic. Those beautiful dragons are seemingly gone, but the Scenic Railway has survived.
The structure is regularly rebuilt during routine maintenance anyway, and the trains were of a relatively simple design. Rollercoaster engineers are already pledging help with reconstruction.
Housing and shopping will not save Margate, only taking advantage of what this seaside town can offer that’s different can ensure Margate’s regeneration. It’s too bad that it took almost losing the jewel in the crown to make everyone realize what’s at stake.
Kyle Sund
Friday April 11, 2008 at 9:35 am
Hi
There was a man who at one time wanted to buy the site and turn it, into an attraction worthy of the Margate but the amounts of money the current owners wanted for the site were to much for this buisness man. Who is this man your asking non other than Mr Phillp Miller who owns the amusment park at Southend, and look what he has done there since takeing over, yes he has not done it completly on his own the local council there have helped, but by giveing the town an attraciton that people want to visit he has increased the numbers of people visiting the town so not only has Philip’s Buisness taken off but other buisness in the town have also benifited due to the increased number of visitors to Southend.
Margate could have had this had the council given support to the fact that dreamland could not be anything other than an amusement park, thus in effect reducing the value of the land.
If Margate is to survive as a town it needs an attraction like Dreamland with its Historic Ride as the center peice, the Turner Center is not going to attract families to the town thay want somewhere that can take the kids and have some fun themselves.
Once people start comming back to the towm other busniess will return as thay can see that people with money to spend are in town, this will get many of the empty shops opened again.
But i Fear this will not happen unless you get a Council with the vision to put money into the Tourist industry to make people come back.
Cliff C
Friday April 25, 2008 at 10:35 am
hi the im in alot a shock i used to go on when i was in foster care know some certain body has burnt the thing fucking arsehole
Friday April 25, 2008 at 10:36 am
hi we all know who burt down the roler coaster drastic action shoulb be taken know fucking arseholes
Saturday May 10, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Seems to me that Dreamland was developed as a park ‘cos it is in an active flood zone, so no built development was/is appropriate. Seems that TDC should accept that development in the flood plain shouldn’t happen, unless its a park. Hence the park is the most valuable use of the Dreamland site, so the Railway is a masive asset to the owner. Best way to protect the site kill off the opportunity to develop it as anything other than a park.
Margate shouldn’t be developing anything until the redundant buildings are given new life!!!!
Flood map available on the Environment agency web site.
http://maps.environment-agency.gov.uk/wiyby/wiybyController?topic=floodmap&ep=map&lang=_e&x=635820.0&y=171060.0&scale=5&layerGroups=1,&layerGroupToQuery=1&location=Margate,%20Kent
Sunday June 08, 2008 at 7:22 pm
A day trip to dreamland in margate was right up there with christmas day for my childhood back in the 70s and has left me with many happy memories,The village of Aylesham would be empty on them legendary trips to margate in the early years by train then later years by a fleet of double decker buses, But margate seems to be in a bit of a sorry state these days and now with the fire of the scenic railway it is very sad times for a once thriving town of Margate, I wish the people of Margate all the luck in the world in getting there scenic railway and Dreamland up and running again it would be so nice to see Margate bounce back to its busy heyday and the rich business pratts that have done so much damage jailed for arson.
good luck Margate
Phil
Sunday August 10, 2008 at 3:53 pm
We returned to Margate this week and was saddened by the state of the Scenic Railway as i was there when they filmed “The Jolly Boys outing” in 89, much younger then i was though, good luck in rebuilding the fairground. Jon
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