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 | | Monday, 4 March, 2002, 11:04 GMT Oldest rollercoaster given listed status  The rollercoaster attracts visitors from around the world Britain's oldest rollercoaster has become the first in the country to be given listed status protecting it from future development. The "Scenic Railway" at Dreamland theme park in Margate, Kent, has been given Grade II status after a recommendation from English Heritage. Built in 1920, it is one of only a handful worldwide which has a brake man on board to control the speed of the cars. Its wooden frame, which takes fours months to maintain each winter, attracts rollercoaster enthusiasts from around the world. World famous Jim Godden, the owner of Dreamland, said it is in the Guinness Book of Records for being the oldest operating rollercoaster in the UK. "We are delighted with the news. It now means the industry and us have got recognition as being an important factor in tourism.
It is known among enthusiasts as a "woody" because it has a timber frame rather than metal which gives a more rickety feel to the ride. The white-knuckle ride features two laps with dips and turns with the second lap featuring longer drops. Mr Godden said: "It is a different feel to metal rides. We have attracted enthusiasts from all over the world to ride on it." Its original system with a wire which catches under the cars and pulls them up is still in use. | |   See also: Internet links: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top England stories now:  Links to more England stories are at the foot of the page. | |||||||||||||||||||
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