Historical Coaster is getting torn down in England
So here is some sad news that I just recieved from Tim Baldwin! Hopefully some of the folks that got to ride the Runaway Coaster at Rotunda during ECO will have some pictures to post of this classic coaster.
Hello everyone,Every now and then I am glad I have this ECO list or as many of you I cancontact as possible.First off, I wish each of you a Happy New Year. I hope the holidays havebeen good ones for you and your family. I know I have enjoyed mine.I was just sent this information. For those of you who did Week 1 on thetrip, the following information will bring close to home how fortunate wewere to visit this park. Treasure the pictures you have of this little gem.Best wishes,tim-------------------------------------
Hi everyone,Not a good start to 2003. My local park, Rotunda in Folkestone has been soldto developers and is being bulldozed as we speak. The land is needed to makeway for luxury flats, a multiscreen cinema and a supermarket.The rides are being sold off or leased, but I'm not sure what's going tohappen to the wooden Runaway coaster.Although this has been on the cards for a few years now its still sad tosee it actually happening, especially as the park put so much effort intorestoring one of the worlds oldest wooden coasters.If I get any more information I will keep you posted.Ian Mansfield
*** This post was edited by baclueless on 1/5/2003. ***
I was about to post the same message. Very sad -- depending on the fate of Runaway Coaster, Leap the Dips at Lakemont may be the only remaining side-friction coaster in the world.
The park was quite small -- to be honest those of us who were on the first week only, and got more time at the park as a result, found ourselves just wandering around near the end of our stay. Still, it's sad to see it vanish.
I have some pictures of the park up in my Europe gallery if anyone's curious.
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--Oat Boy
My page
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Please visit the small parks. We don't know what's happening behind the scenes
Woodencoaster.com
Also looks like the ACE members who visited this park as part of their UK tour and were luckly to ride this coaster managed to do it just in time, If they have planned their trip for this year, they would have have to abandon their trip to this park?
There is also rumours that Dreamland is closing down, apparently they are just not making any money, so it doesnt look good there either, I just hope the Scenic Railway is not torn down :(
Good news regarding the Scenic Railway: it is listed so it cannot be torn down or altered.
Bad news regarding the Scenic Railway: it will be left to rot
Regards, Marcus
Coaster Kingdom: Nemesis review
*** This post was edited by Marcus Sheen on 1/6/2003. ***
But could it be relocated?
It's too bad the Runaway Coaster couldn't have gotton the same listing. I wonder how long it will be until we can get some info on its fate.
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Please visit the small parks. We don't know what's happening behind the scenes
Woodencoaster.com
I suppose it could be relocated, but I would imagine the point that it is a fundemental part of Margate's history would be raised. I had a look on the English Herritage site (who award the listings status), and that was somewhat ambiguous with regards to this. Unsurprisingly, Scenic Railway is the first (and to date, only) coaster that is listed. The Blackpool ones aren't for example.
I'd like to see the Scenic Railway moved, but I don't think the history of saving wooden coasters over here is particularly good (Texas Tornado being an example, the wooden mouse in Scotland being another I think).
Regards, Marcus
Coaster Kingdom: Hex review
*** This post was edited by Marcus Sheen on 1/6/2003. ***
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