Peter Pan Railway

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

A few questions about the Peter Pan Railway which used to run at Dreamland....


When was it removed?

Was it the same one that ran on the main beach at Broadstairs in the 1960's?

Does it still exist?



Thanks for any help,

Vince

[Alan]

Did it catch fire? or was it before Mr G

Alan

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

Oooh, I don't know what you are implying Alan!

Incidentally, it looked a bit like these ones according to the the photo in the Dreamland Remembered book.

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I can't remember it at Dreamland, but I do remember a very similar, but much smaller railway which used to run on the beach at Broadstairs, picking up current via a collector shoe and third rail which ran between the running rails.

I believe it may have been made by Supercar of Warwick, who are probably most famous for their dodgem cars.


Vince

[ricardobugsy]

I vaguely remember the minature railway being at Dreamland on my first visit in 1980. There was also an ice skating rink there that year.

When I next visited in 1983 both were gone.

It wouldn't surprise me if both were removed in 1981 at the start of the Bembom era.

[Alan]

Yes i remember one at Ramsgate Too.

Alan

PS Who me implying ?


Alan

[micktee]

The Peter Pan Railway, at Dreamland.
Once again.. there are comments on this forum from persons who have not a clue what they are talking about.
In the 1950's the main entrance from under the Scenic Railway took you up to the main park, there was a kiosk of Sunbeam Photo's, an outdoor roller skating rink, the Peter Pan Railway, [which DID NOT CATCH FIRE] so be careful of what you are saying, people are watching this site..and the Dreamland Donkeys
In 1969 all the above was removed, I am not sure where the Peter Pan Railway went, but for 2 seasons the track was used for a 'Tug Boat' Ride.
after that a Go-Kart Track was installed, and at the donkey site I built the Alice in Wonderland Ride, which consisted of Themed cars and scenery which went round a track and went under the seating which was part of the area used for the firework displays.
This we know has long gone..but the cars for the ride are static at the Westcliff Leisure Park In Ramsgate. which is nice for me as I and others made them.
I keep saying to members, again Thanet District Council do not own Dreamland, they never have done, when I read other quite unbelievable comments on the Dreamland Campaign, I begin to wonder who's side some members are on. Sorry to winge

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

Cheers Mick, could I just explain that the comment about the ride catching fire was simply a bit of an "in-joke" among contributors to the forum, because of the extra-ordinary number of serendipitious conflagrations which have occurred on Mr Godden's properties?

Not that I'm implying anything of course.

I would be very interested in locating this ride- most likely it was scrapped many years ago, although I did once see a photo of a PeterPan train, which may or may not have been from Dreamland, which had been preserved, and was running on a short stretch of track in someone's garden.

This is what I would like to do, if possible, and this is why I am looking for the ride.


Vince

[Alan]

Vince,
do you know there is a bumper car for sale on ebay?


Alan

PS Sorry about the remark. (not every one see the funny side)

[porterm]

Hello Mick et al,

Yes, I have to agree with most of your comments there. If anyone cares to look at page 46 in the Dreamland Remembered book you will see the Peter Pan Railway in all its glory. I have to admit though that the Butlin's versions seemed more adventurous in their extended layouts. As a frequent Butlin's visitor when I was a child in the seventies those old postcards really bought back the memories. I never went to the Ayr centre but I did get to go to Filey in 1975, I believe, shortly before it sadly closed. (Their Wild Mouse rides were also a complete joy; ahh, happy days!) Anyone know if the old Wild Mouse still exists on the arcade rooftop at Littlehampton by the way? - I believe that was my first ever real coaster ride I took with my dad. I went back in 1985 and to my amazement it was still running that year and I had to take a photograph for posterity. I suppose twenty years on would probably be too much to ask. (Most Butlin's centres, if not all, had these rides up until the seventies I believe; I'd love to know if any still exist here)

By the way Mick, did the Alice in Wonderland ride bear any relation to the Blackpool Pleasure Beach attraction? - I'll have to pay a visit to Westcliff Leisure Park some time to see your works of art.

Martin

PS Can't wait to hear any comments from your Council meetings re Dreamland's future.

[jmace9]

[quote="porterm"]Hello Mick et al,

Anyone know if the old Wild Mouse still exists on the arcade rooftop at Littlehampton by the way?

Martin

Hi Martin

The wild mouse is no more i am afraid to say i went there about 2 years ago wilst on holiday at butlins bognor and the building that used to house all the rides has been demolished taking the wild muse with it all it is now is a open air park with very little in it mainly little kids rides with the odd small adult ride.

john

[porterm]

John,

Many thanks for that sad news. I guess the old Mousey had a good run for its money though. It's very sad to hear about the park's fate though. I believe it used to be run by Butlin's years ago as they had those big plastic clown heads and tall soldiers around the building. I'll have to treasure that old photo now (when I find it).

Back in 1985 the place seemed really busy with an enterprise wheel at the rear towards the sea. In my younger days I remember being captivated by all the arcade penny machines. There was also an overhead little car "monorail" type ride suspended from the roof, and also a large race car figure of eight type track. I wish I had some photos of the place now as it was quite unique. I'm very glad my parents used to take my sister and I there now. We were certainly very lucky I feel. I think the park was later renamed Bottons.

Martin

PS I'll probably never bother returning now as I would likely get a bit depressed remembering better days there.

[Dave H.]

Wow,those old postcards are terrific and really convey a real "Good Time" feel,good to see the Moonrocket in the Background as well.Any idea where I can get hold of those Cards,I'd love them for my small collection.

As far as Littlehampton go's,it is a shadow of its former self.Living 10 miles away,we were often over there as kids and I also remember the Figure 8 and the Ceiling Monorail.There was also a Lighthouse slip outside in the 60's and early 70's,also a flying Coaster with no hill!!?? The place did have an atmosphere all of its own and I would also love to get hold of photos from that time.

[porterm]

Hi Dave H,

How did you manage a double posting by the way??!

Yes, I also love old postcards. I assume the Moonrocket you referred to was the spinning flat ride behind the railway in the top Butlin's Ayr card. I didn't know they were called that, assuming I've picked the right ride; I think they call them various names nowadays. (I assume its the ride where the carriages spin outwards and some rides also spin backwards too). Not quite the thing I enjoy now at my age! - I never did enjoy Waltzers much even in my youth.

Funny how one gets more nostalgic when one reaches the wrong side of forty! I guess if I saw Littlehampton's park now in its former glory it wouldn't quite have the same impact as in my former youth period. I also remember seeing old fairground ride photographs around the former park building. It must have been quite a large structure as I remember loads of other rides inside, including a ghost train. Magical indeed. I also remember an old "Peter Pan" style small railway layout on the rear bank towards the sea which suddenly fell into disrepair as the land started to slip I seem to recall on another visit years back. And the old cash bingo stand round the back comes flooding back!

I'll go before I get too sentimental now.

Martin

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

Vince,
do you know there is a bumper car for sale on ebay?

Thanks Al, in fact I had already seen it- sad case that I am, I have a permanent search set up on eBay for "dodgem" and I will get one to restore some time, when the right one comes along. However, it's not this one.

The one on eBay is (I believe), a Reverchon



and while these are attractive in their own way, I much prefer the boxy looks of the British built Supercar.



This one has been "blinged up" a bit, and is fitted with a motorcycle engine- how cool is that?


The other problem with the one on eBay is that he wants £750 for it which leads me to suspect that he may have had a bump on the head- £100 should buy a project, £200 a working car with pole in good condition.

Thanks for letting me know though.

Vince

[micktee]

Firstly to members never get the wrong idea when I bring up ..be careful what members are saying on this site, the last thing I would want is a member being looked into from you know who!
Re: Peter Pan railway as I mentioned I believe it was sold, but I do not know who to, it is not the one that was on Broadstairs or Ramsgate Beach. A member mentioned he thought it could have been in a Garden in Cliftonville, this in fact was the miniature railway that was on Margate Stone Pier for many years, and then transfered to the Jetty, this was bought by a local builder, and put the track in his Garden in Green Lane, Cliftonville, he purchased an engine which was very similar to a Peter Pan Train, sadly the builder has now passed away and the new owners of the property removed the track, engines and rolling stock, I do not know where they are now.
Regarding comments on the Alice in Wonderland Ride at Dreamland the idea, did come from Blackpool, but on a much smaller theme, I metioned about the carriages which are left that can be seen at the Westcliff Leisure Park in Ramsgate, I belive there are 2 Swans and Caterpillar car these I helped to build, the chassis were built by Modern Products, the Scenery and animated figures I also built from fibre glass, which were all motorised, Tweedle Dum & Treedle Dee caused me problems with movement, but used have a good laugh when the ride was operating, I think it should have been myself and the electrian standing there moving side to side with our thumbs in the air.
I have mentioned in other postings of meetings I will be attending shortly on Dreamlands future not only with Harry Ayes which is immenent! but also with senior council officers..I am aware that the latter will be published by Thanet District Council, at this stage what I am given to believe, it is very positive for all concerned, and especially for the town of Margate, we have got to be patient. And at the moment as all members know the Dreamland site and buildings do not belong to the local authority.
I will keep you informed as when I can