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Update from Save Dreamland Website: Police investigating the fire which badly damaged the Scenic Railway have now confirmed it was started deliberately. Samples collected by specialist police and fire officers at the Margate site on Tuesday have been sent off for analysis in the arson investigation. The BBC News website carries a report on the investigations. Thanet District Council has called for security at Dreamland to be stepped up following the arson attack and the Council Leader, Sandy Ezekiel, who called the ride "the single most important piece of the town’s cultural heritage" has said that the Council expects the owners to rebuild the structure as soon as possible. The press release is here. The full extent of the damage extending to about 25% of the ride's footprint. Campaign Leader Nick Laister had a telephone conversation with Toby Hunter, Chairman of Dreamland owners the Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company Ltd, in which Mr Hunter confirmed that engineering firm Jacobs will be on-site from Monday assessing the damage and advising on the works required to rebuild the ride. Mr Hunter explained that the main difficulty at the moment is the lack of detailed plans. Nick comments: "I have had discussions with several people involved with the Scenic Railway and other wooden roller coasters today and it is clear that the structural rebuild will be relatively straightforward. Bear in mind that, on a typical year of maintenance, approximately 15% of the ride would be replaced anyway. And remember this is a ride that was effectively completely rebuilt every seven years when operated by the Bembom Brothers! The station and workshops were not in good condition and would have required virtual rebuilds in any event. The trains are more difficult, but there are other examples elsewhere in the world, and at Great Yarmouth, which could be used as a template for a rebuild." "The ride has suffered from serious fires before and has rebuilt. This is acknowledged in the ride's listing. It is also acknowledged in the listing that the timber has been replaced repeatedly over the years. It can be rebuilt and little of its historic interest will have been lost. "For the time being the most important thing is to stop this from becoming another Brighton West Pier, with a series of further arson attacks. Security at the site must be stepped up immediately to protect this now extremely vulnerable listed building." The Save Dreamland Campaign calls on anybody with information on this crime to contact Crimestoppers. Campaign Secretary, Susan Marsh, says: "As the Police have now announced that the Scenic fire was arson.. --------------------------------------------- Watch this space for a re-birth of the SR.

New "Burnt" pictures of SR: http://www.savedreamland.co.uk/ I wonder if the person/s who did this preferred "Steel" coasters to "woodies" and thought wood is 2 old fashioned. If this picture does not show someone who does "Arson" then what is: i'm sure with a lottery grant it can be repaired and new trains built. Bring back Public Hanging.

This idea looks a very cool one, the drinks and food even gets delivered to the tables outside.. A Food Rollercoaster Love to see a POV of the courses which the food takes. From the BBC Website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7335351.stm Company's Website: http://www.sbaggers.de/main-ger/?sid=home&lang=en Designers Website: http://www.heinemack.com/produkte.html Germany has surely never produced anything quite as weird as the automated restaurant. I say "restaurant" - but it actually looks more like a rollercoaster, with long metal tracks criss-crossing the dining area. The tracks run all the way from the kitchen, high up in the roof, down to the tables, twisting and turning as they go. And down the tracks - in little pots with wheels fixed to the bottom - speeds food. Supersonic sausages, high-pace pancakes and wine bottles whizzing down to the customers' tables with the help of good old gravity. One pot is spiralling down so fast, it looks like an Olympic bobsleigh (but it's only Bratwurst). I wanted to come up with a complete new restaurant system Michael Mack, restaurant owner What's more, at the 's Baggers restaurant in Nuremberg, you don't need waiters to order food. Customers use touch-screen TVs to browse the menu and choose their meal. You can even use the computers to send e-mails and text messages while you wait for the food to be cooked. But all this may not appeal to those who like traditional waiter service. Meals on wheels Up in the kitchen, it is man, not machine, that makes the food. They haven't found a way of automating the chef, just yet. Everything is prepared from fresh. When it is ready, the meal is put in a pot and given a sticker and a colour to match the customer's seat. Then it is put on the rails and despatched downhill to the correct table. Manna from heaven, German-style. The restaurant is the brainchild of local businessman Michael Mack. "I wanted to come up with a complete new restaurant system," Michael tells me, "one that would be more efficient and more comfortable". Replacing waiters with helter-skelters and computers is fun for the customers. It also makes financial sense for the restaurant. A plate of food whizzes down from the kitchen "You can save labour costs," explains restaurant spokesperson Kyra Mueller-Siecheneder. "You don't need the waiters to run to the customers, take the orders, run to the kitchen and back to the guests." The restaurant has not completely done away with the human touch. There are still some staff on hand to explain to rather bemused customers how to use the technology. But what do the punters here think? Do Germans really have the appetite for automated mealtimes? "It's another art for eating. I like it!" one man raves. "It's more for young people than old people," a woman tells me. "My mother was here yesterday and she needs my son's help to order." Watching all this food raining down on the restaurant makes me ravenous. I decide that it is my turn to test the system. I order steak and salad on the computer and wait for it to appear. A few minutes later, a pot glides down to my table with my "fast food" - and it is delicious. As I finish the meal and prepare to leave, one final thought crosses my mind. An automated meal doesn't only save the restaurant money, but the customer, too. After all, in a restaurant without waiters, there is no need to leave a tip...

When I rode the "Beast" it gave me an awesome ride both during the day and night. So what if it's not as quick as it used to be, the coaster is getting to "middle age" so it needs looking after. We must thank KI for creating such a bold statement in the late 70's with their impressive, massive woodie. The SOB is another wooden coaster landmark in height and speed. Long may the Father and Son reign over KI for years to come.

I bet you could not give a toss if Blackpool wooden coasters burned down either. All coaster rides no matter how small, big, give a rubbish or fantastic ride are important. It's the very old ones which were built before 1940's that need looking after the most. From your comments above, seems like you don't understand the "historic" value which the Scenic Railway gave the coaster community, the people of Margate and the people of "Save Dreamland" campaign. The campaign was going to purchase some old rides inc BPB "Whip" and "Turtle" rides, the Scenic Railway was going to be a focus point for the park. I'm sure it could be re-built if someone or a group wanted to do it.

I'm so shocked to hear about the fire on this wonderful ride, I feel like crying. Roller-coaster's do not just catch fire, I recon someone or a few people soaked the station n lift-hill with petrol before lighting it and running away. Everyone has their memories of this great ride and it will remain with us forever I just hope someone can get sent to prison for Arson and they should get fined for the cost to re-build it. Ive only ridden it once in the early 90's and it was an unique experience. Let's hope "Blackpool" have better security as losing the "Nash","Wild Mouse", "Rollercoaster" and " Big Dipper" is just unthinkable. 5 ride-able woodies left in the UK. RIP SR and thanks for the rides ----------------------------------------------------------

"Air" at AT on 29th March 2008

I've only been to 1 Park: Alton Towers

Do any general public or these complaints arrive at CP doorstep so they can see how anyry coaster fans are about MS by them adding a brake to the 1st drop. I rode it in 2000 and it seemed a fine ride by me, but then England can't be rated to have decent woodies. If someone is so annoyed about a ride being braked to death then write to the park to try to get something done about it instead of moaning on a forum. I'm sure the train gets to 50+ mph around it's circuit.

Does anyone from TPR play "Second Life" PC game... My AV is called "Dick Pizzicato" Your fav Theme Park can be created and your unlimited in what you can do. description below: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Life Second Life (abbreviated as SL) is an Internet-based virtual world launched in 2003, developed by Linden Research, Inc (commonly referred to as Linden Lab), which came to international attention via mainstream news media in late 2006 and early 2007.[4][5] A downloadable client program called the Second Life Viewer enables its users, called "Residents", to interact with each other through motional avatars, providing an advanced level of a social network service combined with general aspects of a metaverse. Residents can explore, meet other Residents, socialize, participate in individual and group activities, have virtual sex, and create and trade items (virtual property) and services from one another. Second Life is one of several virtual worlds that have been inspired by the cyberpunk literary movement, and particularly by Neal Stephenson's novel Snow Crash. The stated goal of Linden Lab is to create a world like the Metaverse described by Stephenson, a user-defined world in which people can interact, play, do business, and otherwise communicate.[6] Second Life's virtual currency is the Linden Dollar (Linden, or L$) and is exchangeable for real world currencies in a resident to resident marketplace facilitated by Linden Lab.[7] There is no fee for registering an account or participating in Second Life, however registration of "payment information" (i.e. a credit card) is mandatory in order to participate in some functions, such as owning land or islands, as well as to access certain support features such as Second Life's support portal and online forums. While Second Life is sometimes referred to as a game, this description does not fit the standard definition. It does not have points, scores, winners or losers, levels, an end-strategy, or most of the other characteristics of games. There are, however, several games within Second Life, e.g., international football (soccer) matches.[8] At the end of March 2008, approximately 13 million accounts were registered, although a large percentage of these are inactive, some Residents have multiple accounts, and there are no reliable figures for actual long term consistent usage. In January 2008, residents spent 28,274,505 hours there, so on average about 38,000 residents were logged on at any particular moment.[9]. Despite its prominence, Second Life has notable competitors, including IMVU, There, Active Worlds, Kaneva, and the erotic-oriented Red Light Center.

Looking nice with it's new paint-work, I wonder if the fish pond in the centre of the ride is getting cleaned and painted.. Updated Pic's below as from the end of March:

When I visited CP it thundered and lightning while I was waiting for "Mantis", The ride was down for 15 - 20 mins and the cars were running again just as the rain was stopping. I'm sure the park is not 2 strict on rain, I was at Alton Towers on the 29th March and it was raining all afternoon, the only ride which closed was "Spinball" which was not surprising considering it's a spinning coaster and having rain slammed into your face side-ways is not 2 cool. Best time to ride a coaster is in the wet, there is less friction between the wheels and track so your travel faster around the course. More G's n (Joking)

I ride "Tidal Wave" when it's raining and cold wearing full "wet" gear. The only thing I don't wear is goggles. TP is turning into a "see how many top rides aren't working in the 1st 1/2 of the day" Park. You pay £32 - £34 for the entrance and have to wait around till all the big rides are running which could be a few hours. No really good enough in 2008. I wish TP could get it's maintenance act together and have all the rides running for most of the year. My visit a couple of times a year, off peak in Sept / Oct on a Wed / Thurs when the schools are back and there are not many kiddies around and Q jumping.

This shows the world what great enginering skills were had at that time, there were no Computers or Internet for the designers to get the track perfect but they did it. A roller coaster which was build in the 1930's, s been closed for over 30 years and still standing within woods is amazing. The track which lies in the tunnel section is the best perserved till the whole thing caves in. I would love to visit this coaster someday before it falls down, def pay my respects..

You had some time on your hands to ride X: NWO

No-one riding will notice the netting as the train speeds over the bridge. It's better to be safe than sorry and Park gets sued if something flys from the train and hits car or person.

Yesterday I visited AT for the 1st time in 6 years. All rides were open and the Q time was about 15 to 20 mins wait. Parking car = £4 Park entrance = £34 each I went on everything twice apart from Oblivion (hate falling vertical) and the Mine Train (Q too long). Rundown of the rides: Log-Flume: Got soaked and it was rainning to add more wetness, love the massive duck in the tunnel. Rapids: Still enjoyable as ever in the rain Rita: My 1st time on a launched coaster, great fun but a little short, surpised to find some " " on the cross-overs. Still won't do "Stealth" at TP. Corkscrew: Quite rough, but you have to love the old timer, needs a re-paint. Oblivion: Also needs a paint-brush as track is rusting in some places. Spinball: Excellent spinning, ended going up the lift-hill sideways, could do with a longer circuit. Duel: Scored 35,000 points Nemesis: Def does need a repaint. Forceful as ever in the back-seat and had an E-Stop on the lifthill. Air: Totally love the flying feeling, felt like Superman. Hex: Made my head spin and stomach go. Charlie and the Choc factory: Nice conversion for the boat ride, but the best part was the Glass Lift simulator. On to the Photo's below: On the way to Alton Towers, JCB statue made out of different size buckets Mono-rail approching New Mini Golf Course £5 a go for 9 holes Best name ride in the park Driving School Merlin locked away in his castle room Tower gardens Tunnel from X-Sector within the Tower Door West Wing Tunnel from Towers to X-Sector The window in the Great Hall Inside towers POV Various pictures of the Towers, Mono-rail and grounds Corkscrew still going strong with Rita track in fore-ground Tyre entrance for Rita Rita speeding towards 2nd hill/twist Full train ready to launch 0-60mph in 2.5 sec's Empty Train Rita: Queen of Speed Flipping onto your back, the best part of the ride Air Station On your back curve I'm flying SW6 or "Air": Original Flying coaster. Track splits for it's duel loading stations, I wish more coasters could have this feature. View from 3rd n final lift hill 1st Lift - Hill Log-Flume 2nd Lift-hill drops into a tunnel Oblivion from the Towers roof Oblivion: the original Dive coaster 1st drop over the Q line, sorry for being out of focus On turn-around heading towards the loop 4g Loop Nemesis taken from the Mono-rail window

Hope Oakwood are not going to become a lost Theme Park with it's new owners in a few years time, e.g. American Adventure. Megafobia is the best "woody" in UK, tons of and wicked layout, I wish it was closer to my house, say Thorpe Park. Get rid of X: NWO and install a world's 1st indoor's woodie, some of the track can come out the side of the building so the coaster length is 3,000ft.

Due to some complaints from park's neighbours, the coaster cars had to be fully enclosed. I bet it's another H&S law coming to all coasters in England. Imagine "Nash" or Stealth full enclosed, Totally wrong

Taken from gazette: http://wp2.medina-gazette.com/2008/03/13/news/new-life-for-park/ A land developer hopes to breathe life and put a little magic back into the overgrown, tangled vegetation, rusted-out machinery and rundown area that used to be Chippewa Lake Amusement Park. Chippewa Lake Partners LLC officially purchased the 95 acres of abandoned land that falls in Lafayette and Westfield townships on March 5, said Gary Sills, one of the managing members of Chippewa Lake Partners, a group of developers who came together for this project. All that’s left to show the land was ever an amusement park from 1878 to 1978 are some dilapidated equipment, a decaying Ferris wheel and a lone wooden roller coaster. The developers plan to create what they call a master plan resort community for commercial, recreational and residential use, Sills said. “It would (contain) a 100-room resort hotel with a conference center, a health spa, and there will be residential housing that will be for sale,” he said. “Only part of the property is on the lake. We’ll be creating a series of water features on the property that is not on the lake … so virtually all the residential units will have water views.” He added the water features would be like manmade lakes, which would not only serve as an amenity but also as a flood control tool for storm water. The lake itself, which is Ohio’s largest natural inland lake, is owned by the Medina County Park District, Sills said. In order for the Partners to build everything the developers want in the resort, they had to work with Lafayette’s zoning commission to create and approve a Chippewa Resort Overlay District, which allows for commercial, residential and recreational purposes, Lafayette Township zoning inspector Alliss Strogin said. “We’re very appreciative of the Lafayette Township Zoning Commission on how hard they worked over this six-month period that resulted in the creation of the CRO district … which they approved Monday,” Sills said. After several language changes to the proposed text amendment at Monday night’s zoning commission meeting, members approved the overlay district in a 3-2 vote. Strogin said this overlay district is not just for the current developers, but if they were to sell the property later, it would apply to any future developers. “We didn’t create a zone just for one person,” she said Wednesday. “We considered a more flexible zoning … a document we feel is in the best interest of the township and also gives any developer flexibility where they can mix some residential, some commercial and some recreational uses in their choices of development.” In reference to what the amusement park used to be to the community back in its heyday, Strogin said she hopes with this new overlay district and developer, they may be able to bring some of that liveliness back. However, this is only the first step in many left for the Partners. Strogin said the overlay district needs to be approved by township trustees after a public meeting is conducted. Then the developer has to put together an actual site plan that follows the district’s rules, which needs to go through the county planning commission, the township zoning commission and then trustees. After that, development can begin, she said. “The process is a little bit long, but the developers understand that process and hopefully built that into their development timeline,” she said. “If it’s done too quickly, you don’t have that opportunity to get residents’ input. A zoning decision is a major commitment.” Sills also said the site plan and ensuing legal steps are a process that will take place over a period of months because they have to go through various environmental, state and county agencies first. The portion of the 95 acres that lies in Westfield Township is zoned residential, Sills said, so if they decide to use that part for residential purposes that follows the current rules, they won’t have to change anything; however, if they choose to use it for another purpose, they will have to go through a similar process as in Lafayette Township. “A lot of what we’re talking about has been there in the past,” Sills said regarding the resort’s features. “We’re pleased with the way (things are) going so far and we’re optimistic in the fact that we bought the property and optimistic that we’re going to do a successful project there.”

I've downloaded this film onto my PS3, I wish more roller coaster films can be 1080P

This event happens on Good Friday, for 2008 its Friday March 21st The Surrey Street Rodders hold their annual event of all things hot rod, custom, classic and Yank with the Wheels Day bash at Rushmoor Arena. Expect to see well over 2000 cars at this event ranging from Street Rods, Custom Cars, American, Bikes, Vans, Classic, Historic and Dragsters, you name it they will be there. Show opens to the public to 10am. Refreshments and food available, fun fair, trade and craft stands and music all day Pictures from the event. My Silver modified PT Cruiser with full length sun-roof

A modified Silver PT Cruiser with a full length sun-roof. Cooking some "bacon" in the back of the car on a camping stove, due to being quite windy we had to keep the boot closed.

The Parks Owner and some of the Coasters builders talking about the new ride: http://yourerie.com/content/fulltext/?cid=6713

Found the below link on North East Coaster website. Link: http://northeastcoasters.mybb2.com/photo-tr-coney-island-opening-day-2008-t32.html Astroland said the opening festivities of the Cyclone would start at 11:30, and we got there at 11:30 where we met up with Kenny and his mom. Nothing strarted until 12:00, and the ride didn't open to the public until 12:30. We got up there and were horrified to see that they have added more padding to the Cyclone, where they have it that only one person per seat (depending). My brother and I used to sit together, but now we can't even try. My little sister and I squeezed in together, and it was a tight squeeze. They had 3 guys hold the lap bar down as they locked it. The ride was incredibly painfull like this, and I came off with my legs numb. ------------------------------------------------------------------- As this coaster is re-created in GTA 4 on PS3 and 360, can anyone confirm the coaster is ride-able with a POV front seat. I hope so.