A fantastic film about my favourite railway from my early childhood until now, even though I live in the North West Highlands of Scotland, so a visit is improbable for some time, not withstanding during these difficult times. It kick started my life long interest in all things steam and eventually I moved to North Wales and worked voluntarily on another famous steam railway, plus a short contract building another long closed route. My late father loved the RH&DR and indoctrinated my mother, sister and I into this most pleasurable mode of transport and it's features; I always loved Dungeness despite the nuclear power station. The RH&DR is now heading towards a century of existence (with "Green Goddess" and "Northern Chief" heading for their anniversary even sooner), so could do with a major celebration and perhaps also consider some kind of enhancement or feature to reconnect it to the original Jack Howey owned and Henry Greenly designed railway. My favourite engine is "Typhoon", followed closely by "Dr Syn" (which was my mother's favourite as well) and it's amazing to see these locomotives still performing their duties for a lot longer than their full sized cousins (including Flying Scotsman).
Thank you for the effort to get this online. A great piece that explains the history and survival of a railway I still remember visiting nearly 60 years ago. Cheers! James - British Columbia, Canada.
This is a super little railway i remember riding this when I was about 8 to 10 years old im 31 now and it still fascinates me would love to visit again soon. Its incredible they have kept it going hopefully they will for many years to come
Fascinating video,many thanks for posting it.I ve not seen the RHDR since 1997,it s a long way from Wales!.I ve known this line since the early 50s as a young lad living,at that time,in Deal,my late father knew the railway back in the 1930s.Best Wishes,Alan.
Fantastic footage, thanks for posting. A holiday next to the line in the early 60's started a lifelong love affair that endures today, though now the regular pilgrimage to visit the UK from New Zealand is on hold. It would be great to be there for the centenary! 🙏👍
Hi Derek. Trawling through R.H.D.R. videos online and have only just come across your superb piece of work. I shall never stop learning about this fascinating railway and it's history. Some years ago, my wife and I travelled on a Santa Special which impressed us so much that she wrote to you asking if a footplate ride could be arranged for me. You and Barbara very kindly arranged this and gave me a day out that I shall never forget. Do you remember the occasion? Regards, Colin Briggs, Broadstairs.
Hi Colin, only just seen your message. Thanks for the kind comment, and yes I do remember that we arranged a footplate for you. Ironically enough that's how Barbara and I started on the RH&DR - niether of us are there anymore and I must admit that I don't visit much these days. Hope you are keeping well. Kind regards, Derek
Hi, it is true that some prisoners of war helped with the clearing and reopening but most were Italians who were stationed at a camp near Ashford I believe. There may have been some Germans but no one has suggested that before. A lot of the railway's staff from 1946 were demobbed ex British soldiers.
Such a lovely railway and lovely film! What kind of speeds they get up to? Looks like a fair rate of knots, scale makes it hard! I get scared at like 10mph on 7 1/4" stuff because it does feel a lot faster!
Thank you for the superb video...you've done a great job! It's added much to what I learned reading the book about Capt. Howey. In this book there's a photo of Captain Howey's daughter driving a locomotive...but I understand she died before the war. As she was a pioneering lady driver I would like to know more about her. Was she the Howeys' only child? Regards. Rob.
+Rob Mannion Hi Rob, many thanks for your kind comments, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. There is another entitled 'Into the 1990s' which may add a bit more. Although there are a couple of pictures and a brief newspaper article about Gloria driving at Romney there's no real evidence she actually did. She was born in 1919 and during the 1930s she posed for some publicity shots taken by Harry Todd, a photographer from Hastings who worked freelance for various agencies. He made great play that she was a debutante and millionaires daughter. She married a John Slater in 1939 and they appear to have had a daughter in about 1947 who they called Philippa. Slater died in 1957 leaving Gloria a single parent - although the sole heir to a large fortune (her brother having died during WW2). There are records that her mother had to write to her on a couple of occasions regarding her life style and by the mid 60s it appears that she was drinking heavily. She died in April 1968 at Garstons in Burwash (Sussex) at the age of just 49. The house - which was a splendid building, has now been converted to flats (www.hobbsparker.co.uk/Images%5CEA%5CProperties%5CV1609_DOC_00.pdf). Her mother, Gladys, lived on in Chelsea until 1972 having already settled some money on Philippa and tidied up her affairs in Australia. Hope that fills in a few gaps for you.
+Derek Smith. Many thanks Derek...it does indeed fill many gaps. I first heard about her on a railway society trip on the line during the Easter Bank Holiday weekend in 1966. George (Barlow I think) was our host. We met many interesting people and I was fascinated in the Rolls-Royce railcar (which we never saw) that was reputed to have reached over 60mph in service.I have no doubt you'll have more information on that vehicle too! I'll watch the other video you suggested, on RUclips but perhaps you have copies of the videos available in higher definition (than is available on RUclips) available to purchase? Finally, I'm grateful for your quick response. Regards. Rob.
Oh I'm Sure I Will Look Forward To Go To The Romney Hythe And Dymchurch Railway In Kent In England This Year. Wish Me Luck. Thanks A Lot Derek Smith Mate. X
A fantastic film about my favourite railway from my early childhood until now, even though I live in the North West Highlands of Scotland, so a visit is improbable for some time, not withstanding during these difficult times. It kick started my life long interest in all things steam and eventually I moved to North Wales and worked voluntarily on another famous steam railway, plus a short contract building another long closed route. My late father loved the RH&DR and indoctrinated my mother, sister and I into this most pleasurable mode of transport and it's features; I always loved Dungeness despite the nuclear power station. The RH&DR is now heading towards a century of existence (with "Green Goddess" and "Northern Chief" heading for their anniversary even sooner), so could do with a major celebration and perhaps also consider some kind of enhancement or feature to reconnect it to the original Jack Howey owned and Henry Greenly designed railway. My favourite engine is "Typhoon", followed closely by "Dr Syn" (which was my mother's favourite as well) and it's amazing to see these locomotives still performing their duties for a lot longer than their full sized cousins (including Flying Scotsman).
EXCELLENT production. I'd love to ride on this someday! Imagine getting to ride this to school every day...
Thank you for making these films free to watch. I love learning about the RH&DR.
Thank you for the effort to get this online. A great piece that explains the history and survival of a railway I still remember visiting nearly 60 years ago. Cheers! James - British Columbia, Canada.
This is a super little railway i remember riding this when I was about 8 to 10 years old im 31 now and it still fascinates me would love to visit again soon. Its incredible they have kept it going hopefully they will for many years to come
Fascinating video,many thanks for posting it.I ve not seen the RHDR since 1997,it s a long way from Wales!.I ve known this line since the early 50s as a young lad living,at that time,in Deal,my late father knew the railway back in the 1930s.Best Wishes,Alan.
Really enjoyable and well worth watching . .Thank you for sharing this
One the best RHDR videos ever.
A great film about a wonderful railway !I hope wnen I visit GB I visit this Railway too
This is a good and well put together DVD. Really enjoyed it.
Fantastic film, brings back soooo many memories of caravanning in Dymchurch.
RHDR has fascinated me since I was very young and s still go on it as much as possible
Very nicely made and put together.
Great documentary. Id love to visit someday
Fantastic footage, thanks for posting. A holiday next to the line in the early 60's started a lifelong love affair that endures today, though now the regular pilgrimage to visit the UK from New Zealand is on hold. It would be great to be there for the centenary! 🙏👍
This is absolutely fantastic very well put together and a great narrator I love this little railway and hope to be travelling on it very soon.
Many thanks for your kind comment - I'm glad you enjoyed the film
A NOSTALGIC JOURNEY CELEBRATING A GOLDEN AGE.
BRANCH LINE BRITAIN.
Paul Atterbury.
Hi Derek. Trawling through R.H.D.R. videos online and have only just come across your superb piece of work. I shall never stop learning about this fascinating railway and it's history. Some years ago, my wife and I travelled on a Santa Special which impressed us so much that she wrote to you asking if a footplate ride could be arranged for me. You and Barbara very kindly arranged this and gave me a day out that I shall never forget. Do you remember the occasion? Regards, Colin Briggs, Broadstairs.
Hi Colin, only just seen your message. Thanks for the kind comment, and yes I do remember that we arranged a footplate for you. Ironically enough that's how Barbara and I started on the RH&DR - niether of us are there anymore and I must admit that I don't visit much these days. Hope you are keeping well. Kind regards, Derek
Thank you!
A pleasure, glad you enjoyed it.
8:51 Great Scotland Yard. It's Laurel And Hardy. Thanks Mate. X
great vid mate, my dad grew up on the RHDR, and I’ve had my fair share of fun on it too! Always great to learn more about it
Excellent documentary thank you
A pleasure - glad you enjoyed it.
that was great,hoping to move to dymchurch soon (my birthplace)feel a strange calling ,
German prisoners of war helped rebuild the RR during the war.
Hi, it is true that some prisoners of war helped with the clearing and reopening but most were Italians who were stationed at a camp near Ashford I believe. There may have been some Germans but no one has suggested that before. A lot of the railway's staff from 1946 were demobbed ex British soldiers.
Such a lovely railway and lovely film! What kind of speeds they get up to? Looks like a fair rate of knots, scale makes it hard! I get scared at like 10mph on 7 1/4" stuff because it does feel a lot faster!
Maximum line speed is 25mph. Can be quite fun.
Is that the bug yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Great film, Did you show the film to the staff after it's finish?
Thank you for the superb video...you've done a great job! It's added much to what I learned reading the book about Capt. Howey. In this book there's a photo of Captain Howey's daughter driving a locomotive...but I understand she died before the war. As she was a pioneering lady driver I would like to know more about her. Was she the Howeys' only child? Regards. Rob.
+Rob Mannion Hi Rob, many thanks for your kind comments, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. There is another entitled 'Into the 1990s' which may add a bit more. Although there are a couple of pictures and a brief newspaper article about Gloria driving at Romney there's no real evidence she actually did. She was born in 1919 and during the 1930s she posed for some publicity shots taken by Harry Todd, a photographer from Hastings who worked freelance for various agencies. He made great play that she was a debutante and millionaires daughter. She married a John Slater in 1939 and they appear to have had a daughter in about 1947 who they called Philippa. Slater died in 1957 leaving Gloria a single parent - although the sole heir to a large fortune (her brother having died during WW2). There are records that her mother had to write to her on a couple of occasions regarding her life style and by the mid 60s it appears that she was drinking heavily. She died in April 1968 at Garstons in Burwash (Sussex) at the age of just 49. The house - which was a splendid building, has now been converted to flats (www.hobbsparker.co.uk/Images%5CEA%5CProperties%5CV1609_DOC_00.pdf). Her mother, Gladys, lived on in Chelsea until 1972 having already settled some money on Philippa and tidied up her affairs in Australia. Hope that fills in a few gaps for you.
+Derek Smith. Many thanks Derek...it does indeed fill many gaps. I first heard about her on a railway society trip on the line during the Easter Bank Holiday weekend in 1966. George (Barlow I think) was our host. We met many interesting people and I was fascinated in the Rolls-Royce railcar (which we never saw) that was reputed to have reached over 60mph in service.I have no doubt you'll have more information on that vehicle too! I'll watch the other video you suggested, on RUclips but perhaps you have copies of the videos available in higher definition (than is available on RUclips) available to purchase? Finally, I'm grateful for your quick response. Regards. Rob.
20th & 21st Centuries Steam Locomotive Train rides.
I've Might Go To The Romney Hythe And Dymchurch Railway One Day. Thanks Mate. X
Thanks for the comment - it has changed a bit since I made that video nearly 20 years ago, but enjoy your visit if you get there.
Oh I'm Sure I Will Look Forward To Go To The Romney Hythe And Dymchurch Railway In Kent In England This Year. Wish Me Luck. Thanks A Lot Derek Smith Mate. X
the school train ceased in 2015
there are plans to gate all the crossings
23:13