Hercules at Dungeness, May 30th 2005. Click picture for a larger image.

Freelance outline two-cylinder 4-8-2 Mountain class locomotive
Designed by Henry Greenly
Built by Davey Paxman & Co., (16041) in 1927

Overall length: 25'
Weight in working order: 8 ton 5cwt
Driving wheel diameter: 1' 7.5"
Bogie and trailing wheel diameter: 1'
Cylinders: 5.25" x 8.5"
Current Livery: Midland Railway Red

To cater for the anticipated ballast traffic, the railway ordered two Mountain-type locomotives from Davey Paxman, to Henry Greenly's design. The first of these, Hercules, arrived at New Romney on 20th April 1927.

The RH&DR then became the only railway in Britain operating such locomotives, which are similar to their Pacific cousins, but are slightly longer and have smaller driving wheels.

Hercules hauled the inaugural train from Hythe on the opening day of the line - July 16th 1927. However, the ballast traffic did not reach the levels expected and the 4-8-2's were often de-railed by the points and curves in use on the railway during the early years. They fell from favour and Hercules was offered for sale, but no takers were found.

Her condition was close to derelict at this time, but in 1936 renewed ballast traffic saw to it that Hercules was rebuilt for use on this service. So, by the time that the railway was commandeered by the Army she was fit to find fame as the engine used for the armoured train during World War Two.

Improvements to the track after the war meant that Hercules could return to normal duties and she was sent to Ashford for re-building, returning with a new large-capacity tender and a coat of red paint.

Following a 1978 overhaul, Hercules appeared sporting a maroon livery similar to that of the former Metropolitan Railway and with Northern Chief's original Greenly designed tender, giving her the twin-appearance of her sister, Samson. In 1986, she became the fourth Romney engine to steam on the rails of the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway.

During 1995 Hercules traveled a total of 3,102 miles on Romney Hythe and Dymchurch metals, after which she spent the whole of the following year undergoing a well deserved overhaul and re-fit.

Hercules returned from overhaul and was ready to take part in the 70th birthday celebrations in July 1997, including hauling a train to commemorate that inaugural journey she made some seventy years earlier. She repeated this task five years later during the railways 75th Anniversary celebrations.

Following an accident at Burmarsh Road in August 2003, the locomotive was withdrawn from service and sent to Crowhurst Engineering at Hythe Station for a complete overhaul. She returned to service in May 2005, resplendent in a new Midland Railway red and, once again, with a large capacity tender.

Hercules Picture Gallery

• Double-heading with Samson, May 1997, on tests following overhaul
• Departing from Dungeness with Samson, on tests following overhaul, May 1997
• Approaching New Romney from Hythe
• Outside the engine shed at the end of the day, 23rd April 2003
• Receiving attention at Dungeness, May 30th 2005
• Reversing onto New Romney Turntable, May 30th 2005
• Admiring glances at Dungeness, May 30th 2005

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Hercules Picture Gallery

Locomotives Menu Page
1 Green Goddess
2 Northern Chief
3 Southern Maid
4 The Bug
5 Hercules
6 Samson
7 Typhoon
8 Hurricane
9 Winston Churchill
10 Dr Syn
11 Black Prince
12 John Southland
14 Captain Howey

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