Major fire on the Scenic Railway 7th Apr. Suspected arson.

[BlueBuzzard]

As someone who has contributed a small amount to the campaign on the back of nick rescuing some of the rides from Southport I was shocked to see today's events unfold on the Internet.

I can remember making a special trip down to Margate a few years back just because of the Scenic and it's importance in the Amusement Industry landscape. I was so excited to see The Mistral rescued along with the other rides and the thought of a heritage park was one that had salivating at the prospect.

What has happened today is certainly a set back but until all the facts are known we can speculate till the cows come home as to how it started. In a way I sincerely hope that this isn't anything sinister and that there's no outside/underhanded skulduggery going on. It would be easier to accept if it's all above board but still soul destroying for all directly involved.

I just hope that, like a Phoenix, Dreamland can rise from the ashes and shine once again like the beacon it should be.

[markproctor]

Joined this forum after coming back from the fire. Check out my web site for some pics. The damage is bad.
www.markproctorphotography.biz[/url]

[EAS]

Thanks - can't get the link to work!

Not cheering news though.

[Lou]

I would like to say a big thankyou to the fire brigade who have done an amazing job - the fire looked at one point as if it would completely take over and we would have nothing left. Now at least there is something left - a start, not an end.

[EAS]

http://www.markproctorphotography.biz/

http://www.markproctorphotography.biz/g ... 36536.html

[markproctor]

sorry eas. remove the url type at the end. markproctorphotography.biz

[EAS]

Thanks - the grey cells sorted it in the end!

The firefighters - yes of course - huge thanks.

[vince69619]

Thanks for putting the photos up Mark. It looks bad though. Someone has to pay for this, and I don't mean money.

Vince.

[erclairedoc]

This is my first post of the forum but I had to write something. I felt close to tears when I heard that our precious roller coaster was in flames. Our beautiful wooden masterpiece was sure not to survive. I was pleasantly surprised to find some of it still standing at 8.30 pm. I spoke to a policeman onsite who said about 50-60% of it was lost. I am hoping with all my heart that it can and will be re-built. The heritage site was something we were all looking forward to and the scenic railway HAS to be part of this. Lets all be postive and rally together and make sure our vision remains something that will happen. Anything us members can do, please just say Nick. We will do whatever we have to do to save this piece of Margate!![color=blue][/color]

[EAS]

Oh dear - I had hoped not that much gone.

Dreadful. I too have been in tears for much of this evening.

I can't believe it either - the world seems a bleak and black place right now. Fun is in short supply in the world and the Scenic represented so much to to many. All that history gone in in so short space of time.

There is little doubt this is arson - by persons unknown.

We can only speculate.

[vince69619]

Take a look at the news page EAS, there is still a good deal still there.

Vince.

[paul69]

Only just turn t on the pc, simply gutted and some how not shocked. Lost for words.

[EAS]

Thanks. I am so far away and I have no idea what made me log on to the site early this evening, feel helpless and hopeless! Have e-mailed everyone I know in the 'conservation world' this evening to see what can be done, but...

My Other Half misspent so much of his yoof at Dreamland and we were so looking forward to riding the Scenic together very soon!

He's just said that we had better get back to Blackpool, before ** burns those down too...

[vince69619]

Anyone who's looked at Mark's gallery, what are the parts at the bottom of the lift hill? Were the rescued water chute items onsite too?

Vince.

[EAS]

The News page has more details.

I THINK the other things are elsewhere...