Having put so much heart and soul into the Dreamland reopening, with the Scenic Railway at the core of the original vision and funding, and as the park’s centrepiece, our first reaction to the news of its permanent closure was real sadness. The end of its life as an operating rollercoaster marks a big moment, emotionally as well as historically.
But, with a little reflection (and a glass-half-full mindset), this could also be the start of a new chapter.
The structure itself still holds huge power and presence. Perhaps its future lies not in speed, but in imagination — as a piece of living art (after all, Tracey Emin is famously part of its story). As a different kind of adrenaline experience, or as a framework for play and public life, with the ground level becoming an extraordinary playground or gathering space?
We’re not party to the operational challenges that led to this decision. The disappointment is understandable. Still, if due diligence has concluded the ride is no longer viable, and if the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England support that position — then surely the only constructive path is forward.
The priority now is ensuring the Scenic Railway is more than a monument (though it absolutely is that). It must have an active, accessible public use, while remaining an icon that brings energy and positivity to the town. That thinking is entirely consistent with the values that helped secure the CPO and NLHF funding in the first place — protecting Dreamland’s long-term future as a pleasure park like no other: nostalgic yet forward-looking, design-led yet accessible, and rooted in the social and cultural life of Margate.
A co-creation approach feels like the right starting point, involving local people, young people, the arts community, and creative industries. Just as we sought to do during our time working alongside the Dreamland Trust.
The Scenic Railway can, and should, continue to play an active role in Margate’s story. With the same ambition and innovation that once reimagined Dreamland as the world’s first amusement park, where entertainment and heritage sit side by side — there is an opportunity to reinvent this landmark for a new generation.
