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The UK’s oldest rollercoaster is currently undergoing repairs after some of the slats on the historic coaster were torn up during operation
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 20 Aug 2024
The Scenic Railway is the UK’s oldest rollercoaster Credit: Dreamland
Dreamland’s Scenic Railway has been forced to close after the ride at the historic theme park in Margate, UK, suffered damage during operation.
Operating since 1920, the more than a century-old wooden rollercoaster reopened in 2015 after being badly damaged by an arson attack in 2008.
Reaching speeds of up to 35mph (56.3kmph) and a maximum height of 40ft (12.2m), the 3,000ft (910m) track is a Grade II listed structure and is the centrepiece of Dreamland, which also reopened its doors in 2015 following an £18m (US$23.3m, €21.1m) restoration of the heritage attraction.
In operation on August 10, passengers had to be escorted from the ride after wooden bars supporting the coaster’s rails were broken due to a “fault”. Witness reports say that the coaster was seen dragging a broken piece of wood behind it.
According to park officials, an investigation into the incident is currently being carried out.
“On Saturday, August 10, a fault occurred on the Scenic Railway at Dreamland, which damaged pieces of the wooden track,” said the park in a statement.
“The train automatically stopped, as it is supposed to do.
“Dreamland’s standard safety procedures were put in place, overseen by the park manager.
“Passengers were escorted off the ride and prior to continuing their day out, were offered a precautionary check-over by the first aid team on site.
“The ride is currently not in operation while the qualified engineers carry out a full investigation and track damage is repaired.”
The Scenic Railway was originally designed by Sir John Henry Iles, who first purchased the Dreamland site in 1919. The ride was restored to nearly identical operations from when it first opened, excluding modifications made for both operational and safety reasons.
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