ROMNEY , HYTHE AND DYMCHURCH RAILWAY
One of Kent ’ s top tourist attractions and popular with visitors from around the world is the Romney , Hythe and Dymchurch Railway ( www . rhdr . org . uk ). Since 1927 , the Romney , Hythe and Dymchurch Railway has been an integral part of the landscape of Kent ’ s surreal and vast Romney Marsh . Known as ‘ Kent ’ s Mainline in Miniature ’, the much admired one-third full size steam and diesel locomotives have powered their way along the 13 1 / 2 miles of track from the Cinque Port town of Hythe terminating in Dungeness , a National Nature Reserve . With four stations in between , all within walking distance of one of Kent ’ s wondrous beaches including the golden sands of Dymchurch , this railway will provide you with an opportunity to explore this beautiful corner of Kent . A truly unique and memorable way to experience both the coast and country and everything they have to offer - from medieval churches to quintessential towns - there is bound to be something for all members of the family to enjoy .
Although the Romney , Hythe and Dymchurch Railway is , like all of Kent ’ s light railways , a brilliant way to explore the county , it has a very different and enthralling history , which is unique to any others . The Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway was , in fact , a culmination of the dreams of Captain J . E . P . Howey — a racing driver , millionaire land owner , former army officer and miniature railway aficionado and Kent legend , Count
Louis Zborowski , who was an eminently well-known racing driver of his day and most famous for owning and racing the Chitty Bang Bang Mercedes that inspired Kentish author Ian Flemming for his much-loved tale of the same name .
The Count was keen to build a fully working railway using the 15 " gauge and Howey was inspired by the vision also . To try to fulfil their ambition , the pair attempted to purchase the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway in the Lake District , but to no avail . Despite this setback , the Count ordered two Pacific locomotives ( Green Goddess and Northern Chief ) to be designed by the leading model engineer of his day , Henry Greenly , and built in Colchester by Davey , Paxman and Co . Before they were delivered , the Count was killed while racing at Monza in the Italian Grand Prix , leaving Howey with two locos and the task of finding somewhere to run them . He commissioned Greenly to help him and it was he that came up with the Romney Marsh . The official opening took place on 16th July 1927 , with Hercules hauling that inaugural train from Hythe to New Romney . When first opened to the public , the line only covered , in double track , the eight miles between Hythe and New Romney . Owner Captain Jack Howey soon had his eye on extending the line and in 1928 double tracks carried the trains to Dungeness via Greatstone ; almost 100 years later , what was once known as the ' smallest public railway in the world ' still stands to take passengers travelling across the Kent countryside .
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