The club's 'Big Day Out' to the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway

Photographs and text by Ray Coyle.

The June 2007 edition of  the club Newsletter has a nice article by Tom Burgess on our big day out, and hopefully this selection of photographs compliments his article and gives a flavour of the day.

  Sunday 29th April dawned warm and sunny as eleven club members gathered at Viables for an early start to our  day out to the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. With Malcolm Duckett, our Club Secretary at the helm, we made our way in a hired minibus to Hythe in Kent, the first station on the railway line and the start of our days adventure. As we drove along the M25, the sky darkened and sporadic rain came down, but to the relief of all, the sky eventually lightened and the remainder of the day passed dry if a little chilly.

  It is probably worth noting a few facts for those not familiar with the RH &D Railway. It is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. Founded by a Captain Howey and opened in July 1927, it provides 13 ½ miles of mainline in miniature. Its designer and builder was Henry Greenly, the same Greenly who lost the “battle of the Boilers’ to the famous miniature loco designer LBSC. Notwithstanding this, to many, Henry Greenly was without equal in the design and building of locomotives in the larger scales (10 ¼ and above). With reference to the locos I can do no better than quote  from the Locomotive page of RH & D Railway’s own website:

 “The Railway is best known for its superb fleet of one-third full size steam and diesel locomotives, all of which have been built to run safely at speeds of 25mph on rails only 15 inches apart. All of the steam locomotives were built between 1925 and 1937.”

Malcolm had made arrangements for us to visit the workshops and train sheds at the railway headquarters at New Romney station, three stops along the line, so it was with some anticipation that we awaited the first train of the day. The plan was to catch the train to New Romney. where the whole party would dismount and visit the sheds. Following this we would all catch the next train to Romney Sands and Dungeness, where the party could split up to do ones own things. The only condition was for everybody to be back at Hythe by the last train of the day. Many in the party returned to New Romney early, to see the model railway exhibition ( and very good it is too). 

I would like to echo John Taviners's thanks to Malcolm for all of his hard work in organising, hiring the minbus and not least of all driving us to and from Hythe. 

Tom Burgess and Peter Horwood show more anticipation than the rest of us by capturing  the front of the platform at Hythe as the first train of our day arrives.. This is Southern Maid, a 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive.

Another view of Southern Maid arriving at Hythe, to take us to New Romney via Dymchurch and St Mary's Bay.
 Southern Maid at  New Romney, where we  got off to visit the workshops and engine sheds. I bet the children think it is just the right size for them to play with.
The sheds comprise two in series, first an old rather decrepit shed followed by a more newly built one. This the oldest shed housing  'Green Goddess' 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive and the red liveried 'Hercules' 4-8-2 Mountain locomotive
Standing in the new shed and well wrapped against the cold is 'Samson' a 4-8-2 Mountain locomotive followed by 'The Bug' a 0-4-0 industrial tender-tank locomotive. Walking along in deep concentration is John Croker who is contemplating how to get his garage floor at home to the same state of perfection as this floor.
'The bug' gets the once over from John, Fred and Peter. 
Deep thought from Peter and Tom as 'Dr Syn' a 4-6-2 Canadian pacific looks on. 
Another view of 'The Bug'. 
'Green Goddess' a 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive hides her light under a bushel or should that be blankets. 
Ken Jones waits his turn to have a go at twiddling the wheels in  'Green Goddess's cab. 
No 5 'Hercules' under wraps in the old shed.
This collection of bits and pieces attracted a lot of attention. I only wish I knew what is was?
 
Above and left is No: 9 'Winston Churchill' a 4-6-2  Pacific being readied for a days work on the line.
Following our visit to New Romney and the workshop and sheds, we proceeded  to Dungeness via Romney Sands. On arrival at Dungeness, these two train drivers of the future, couldn't wait to engage the driver of their train in conversation. This was 'Black Prince' a very smartly turned out 4-6-2 German outline Pacific..
A spot of oiling proves interesting to some. 
Southern Maid at New Romney. The Last train of the day, next stop Hythe, gets the full attention of the team. 
[Left and below] 'Black Prince' returns to New Romney at the end of the day, and  heads for the turntable. Here the driver has the gentle task of turning the loco on the turntable. 
 
Another view of Winston Churchill at New Romney. 
End of the working day and end of the line at Hythe. Fred looks on as the driver oils and waters 'Southern Maid'. 
Another and the very last view of Southern Maid.