Posted: 31 Dec 2003, 10:59No, the Margate Scenic has never been "dressed up" to the best of my knowledge.
Earlier scenics like the one at Dreamland were rarely dressed up. For example, Blackpool Pleasure Beach's Scenic Railway (long since demolshed) had no scenery.
It is called a scenic railway because of the type of coaster it is - it has no undertrack or side friction wheels, it is literally a train running on rails, and it has a brakeman. These are all hallmarks of a scenic railway, the UK rights for which were held by JH Iles, the owner of Dreamland. Other types of coaster of the period, such as "figure eights" and "switchback railways" were very different.
Nick
Earlier scenics like the one at Dreamland were rarely dressed up. For example, Blackpool Pleasure Beach's Scenic Railway (long since demolshed) had no scenery.
It is called a scenic railway because of the type of coaster it is - it has no undertrack or side friction wheels, it is literally a train running on rails, and it has a brakeman. These are all hallmarks of a scenic railway, the UK rights for which were held by JH Iles, the owner of Dreamland. Other types of coaster of the period, such as "figure eights" and "switchback railways" were very different.
Nick