Scenic Railway colour scheme

[DN]

So after all the great news recently and the main focus being getting the good old Scenic Ralway rebuilt, i was wondering what people's favourite colour scheme of the ride was and what they think it should be in the future.

On my earliest visit to Dreamland in the early 80's i remember it was painted with white on the supports and red around the track railings. Then the Bemboms painted it that bluey/turquoise colour (which i was never keen on) and the Godden painted it in that maroon red colour (again which i never was keen on)

What was its general colour scheme up until the 80's ? And why did they get rid of the "SCENIC RLY" lettering on the lift hill structure ? I loved that.

So what were peoples favourite colour and for the future, what do they think it will/should be ?

[Peet]

Personally I think it should be restored to a condition that is as close as possible to how it was when it first opened in 1920. Is it known what colour scheme it had at that time?

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

I always got the vague impression that Mr Godden had the Scenic Railway and much else around the park painted that vile colour simply because he had been offered the paint cheaply.

If it was up to me, I would have the piers and supports painted white, the maintenance handrails and track support timbers painted signal red, and the station and workshop painted in red, green and yellow. I would also have the station open, (i.e. no roof) as it originally was and I would also definitely PUT THE TUNNEL BACK!!!


Just my twopenn'orth!

[EAS]

I agree with Peet; it's a listed structure and it would be great to investigate the original scheme and re-create it, if possible.

I hope that one day the dragons might roar round too, much of the charm of the ride resided in those...

[Chris H]

I liked all the colours, even Goddens. My personnal choice would be classic Bembom blue, because for me they were good times

[Greg Pryce]

I think White looked the best, nice, bright and clean. White seemed to be the colour for Wooden Rollercoasters eg, Ones at Battersea, Blackpool, Southend etc.
When the Scenic Railway first opened, wasn't the wood just bare or stained?......
I do like the idea of the Tunnel making a return as well, thought that was good
The trains with the beautiful carved Dragons heads were great in the earlier colours with Gold detailing, each with their individual 3D number painted on the front..... the later bright colours I thought done nothing for the Classic look of the Ride
.......then again I don't mind if it's Pink, as long as it's restored and working again

[dreamland]

classic bembom blue is the colour i would like to see again as that colour brings back great memories

[Cheryl]

I hated the blue. I would like to see it white and red, as I remember when I was a little girl. I clearly recall SCENIC RLY in lights on the second pull up and the tunnel. Would be great to see these features return.

Remember the trains are now cinders, will we have dragon heads back? I do hope so.

[DN]

I wasnt keen on the blue either, it never looked right

I remember my first ride on it, with the soldier statues guarding it! And then a couple of years later the tubs frm the River Caves being used as flower pots around the ride.

And yes the SCENIC RLY sign needs to be back!!

[dreamland]

i think we need to vote on this one as some want to see the scenic railway painted white again and some like myself want it classic bembom blue , we need to vote on this one

[dreamland]

classic bembom blue !

[porterm]

Hi all

I'll probably upset the apple cart here, but I feel if the wood has to be painted it should be white, with the traditional bright red guide rails (and walkway planks, if that's what they're called either side of the track).

However, I would really love to see the structure look natural with pre-stained timber like Bakken's Scenic. I would also love to see that SCENIC RLY illuminated sign returned, but despite taking my first ride on it in 1977 I cannot seem to recall any tunnel section. (Maybe I was just too young and too scared!) - memories

Whatever happens I do not feel that the structure's colour should really detract from the classic ride's re-emergence. (I personally hated the current colour and didn't really love Bembom's choice either).

Let the debate continue....

Martin

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

despite taking my first ride on it in 1977 I cannot seem to recall any tunnel section. (Maybe I was just too young and too scared!) - memories

It used to be after the very last, small, dip, just before the train did a 180 degree right turn into the station. I believe Old Miseryguts had it removed

As to the walkway planks, I understand that these are not normally painted on roller coasters but treated in preservative as they are the the parts which require the most frequent replacement.

[porf]

Well I'm not sure we're at the stage of picking colours out just yet!

But anyway I'd go for White or bare wood on a wooden coaster, they seem to be the only schemes that seem to look right on them.

Dragons? Yes I guess I could go for those