Scenic Railway (Dreamland)

Infobox roller coaster
name=Scenic Railway


imagedimensions=250
caption=The Scenic Railway
location=Dreamland Margate
locationarticle=Dreamland Margate
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type=Wood
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status=SBNO
opened=7/3/1920
closed=
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inversions=0
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rcdb_number=875

The Scenic Railway was the United Kingdom's oldest surviving roller coaster,cite news|publisher=BBC News|title=Dreamland campaign is stepped up|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/4867670.stm|date=2006-04-01|accessdate=2008-04-08] and the second oldest in the world.cite news|last=Aitch|first=Iain|title=Seaside special|publisher=The Guardian|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,674033,00.html|date=2002-03-26|accessdate=2008-04-09] It was one of the attractions at the former theme park Dreamland in Kent. The ride was built in 1920, and still had a brakeman who controlled the speed via a large lever operated from his elevated seat.

As of 2002 the ride was Grade II listed - the first, and only, amusement park attraction to achieve this status. [cite news|publisher=BBC News|title=Oldest rollercoaster given listed status|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1853517.stm|date-4002-03-04|accessdate=2008-04-08]

Dreamland closed in 2003, [cite web|publisher=BBC News|title=Dreamland closes its door|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/3234813.stm|date=2003-11-02|accessdate=2008-04-08] although the ride remained open until 2005.

The Scenic Railway was severely damaged by a fire on 7th April 2008, which police believe was started deliberately. [cite news|publisher=Kent Messenger|title=Dreamland rollercoaster blaze 'probably started deliberately'|url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kol08/article/default.asp?article_id=39861|date=2008-04-07|accessdate=2008-04-08] Over one third of the ride, including the lift hill and the cars, were completely destroyed. [cite news|publisher=BBC News|title=Fire rips through rollercoaster|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/7335519.stm|date=2008-04-07|accessdate=2008-04-08]

In a press release issued the day after the fire, the local council indicated that the owners of the Dreamland site will be required to rebuild The Scenic Railway [ [http://www.thanet.gov.uk/news/latest_press_releases/scenic_railway_fire_08-04-08.aspx Scenic Railway fire 08-04-08 ] ] .

Trivia

*There is also a similar roller coaster (including a brakeman) with the same name at Luna Park in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia which is also Heritage listed.
*The Kenny Everett Television Show featured the ride in a sketch.
*Characters from the "Only Fools and Horses" 1989 BBC TV Christmas special The Jolly Boys' Outing rode the Scenic Railway.

References