Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway
A day trip – 12 September 2000
RH&DR map
This page contains photographs from a day trip on the RH&DR. I caught a train from London Victoria to Folkestone and then a taxi to Hythe station. It was at the time of the petrol shortages and I didn’t wish to drive from London. I planned the route so that I could visit every station on the line without having to wait too long at each. This was the timetable:
| Journey | Time | Up/down |
| Hythe | Dep 10.30 | Down |
| New Romney | Arr 11.08 | |
| New Romney | Dep 11.35 | Up |
| St Mary’s Bay | Arr 11.44 | |
| St Mary’s Bay | Dep 11.55 | Down |
| Romney Sands | Arr 12.18 | |
| Romney Sands | Dep 12.18 | Down |
| Dungeness | Arr 12.35 | |
| Dungeness | Dep 13.00 | Up |
| Dymchurch | Arr 13.51 | |
| Dymchurch | Dep 14.51 | Up |
| Hythe | Arr 15.10 |
I have included some photos of stations taken when I was a kid, back in the 70s and early 80s for comparison purposes.
It was a fine, warm day, with few clouds. Perfect for a trip on the smallest public railway in the world! Let’s get going!
Hythe
The north easterly terminus on the RH&DR, Hythe
Inside the terminus. Note the engine release road between the main tracks to allow the engines to be turned around on the turntable. The points are sprung and don’t need any controls.
No 14, “Captain Howey”, waiting to depart with the 10.30 to Dungeness.
New Romney
Looking back towards Hythe, with the signal box on the right and the engine shed in the distance
View from the bridge towards Hythe, showing the main lines. On the right is the cafe and the model railway exhibition.
The exterior of New Romney station. This was originally the south westerly terminus before the extension to Dungeness was built.
St Mary’s Bay
St Mary’s Bay station in 2000.
A similar view in about 1976. Note the much larger covered waiting area on the up line.
The level crossing at Jefferstone Lane, St Mary’s Bay.
No 1, “Green Goddess”, arriving to work the 11.55 to Dungeness
Romney Sands
Two trains are usually standing at Romney Sands station. The line is single track from here to Dungeness, and the driver of the up train hands the single line working token to the driver of the down train. The train on the left is working the 12.18 to Hythe.
Dungeness
The station buildings at Dungeness, with a rather good cafe.
“Green Goddess” waits to work the 13.00 service to Hythe, with the new lighthouse in the background. The older lighthouse, out of shot to the right, is open to the public.
Dymchurch
“Green Goddess” works the 13.51 service to Hythe.
A view of the present station buildings.
After a short stroll into Dymchurch village, and a walk along the sea wall, it was time to return to Dymchurch station to catch the 14.51 to Hythe, and begin the journey back to London. A most enjoyable day!
oh what lovely memories when i was a child including staying at the duke of yorks camp in st marys bay when i was 9 years old…….