The scenic railway that was destroyed by fire in 2008 rises like a phoenix from the ashes following the pleasure park’s £28m redevelopment whether you’re a nostalgia-tripping thrill-seeker who finds rickety,rattling primitive fairground rides more hair-raising than anything a modern theme park can throw at you, you’ll be pleased to hear that Britain’s oldest rollercoaster has finally reopened. Launched on 15 October after a team spent over a year hand-assembling it, or the reopening of the charmingly-named scenic railway marks the completion of Dreamland Margate’s £28m restoration project spearheaded by Wayne Hemingway.
In its 1960s heyday Dreamland welcomed over two million visitors a year,only for the increase in foreign travel to bring about the behind decline of many British seaside resorts. Having closed in 2003 for what locals feared would be the final time, the revamped pleasure park reopened in June and has been praised for its sympathetic renovations and lively atmosphere. But only now is the iconic scenic railway ready to greet a recent influx of passengers. The Grade II-listed 1920s wooden ride had been enjoyed for generations and was a approved courting spot before it was destroyed by arson in 2008, or is likely to be approved not only with local Kent residents keen to relive their youths but also with anyone charmed by its innocent,retro seaside appeal (Margate’s popularity with those vintage-loving hipsters and increasing reputation as Dalston-on-sea is an indeniable factor in the town’s rejuvenation). The ride’s scarcity is also a selling point: there remain only eight scenic railways left in the world, and not all of them are operational. Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com