Seaside rollercoaster restored

BRITAIN’S oldest wooden rollercoaster – built in 1920 and now Grade II listed – has been restored and is back in action on the seafront in #Margate, Kent. 

The scenic railway fell into disrepair when the town’s Dreamland amusement park closed in 2006, and was destroyed in an arson attack in 2008. But leading restoration experts have spent more than a year re-building the roller coaster, retaining its original character while ensuring it meets 21st century standards.

Its restoration marks the completion of the new amusement park at #Dreamland, a £28 million development project with more than 17 restored rides and amusements recalling the golden age of the British seaside.

Eddie Kemsley, CEO of Dreamland, says: ‘The opening of the UK’s oldest wooden rollercoaster is another fantastic reason for people to come to Margate and to visit Dreamland. This historic milestone comes after the enormous success of the opening of the park, which contributed to a 55% increase in hotel stays in Margate, year on year.’ 

The rollercoaster – operated by a full-time brakeman – comprises more than 320 tons of timber, 100,000 screws, and a mile-long track.

www.dreamland.co.uk

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Picture Credit: The Parade, Margate by Poliphilo - Own work. Licensed under CC0 via Wikimedia Commons