Dr Syn at a wet New Romney with the Belarus Express, New Years Day 2003. Click picture for a larger image.

Canadian outline two-cylinder 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive
Designed by Henry Greenly and A.L.S. Richardson
Built by Yorkshire Engine Co (2295) in 1931

Overall length: 28'
Weight in working order: 8 ton 15cwt
Driving wheel diameter: 2' 1.5"
Bogie and trailing wheel diameter: 1'
Cylinders: 5.25" x 8.5"
Current Livery: Black

Dr. Syn is one of the railway's two Canadian Pacific-style locomotives, built in 1931 by the Yorkshire Engine Co., the other being Winston Churchill and has an identical history of design and build.

Originally to have been built by Paxmans as GN outline pacifics (as all previous Romney pacifics), but Howey, an admirer of the American outline, decided to change the order at the suggestion of Henry Greenly. The American style would afford the driver better protection against the inclement weather on the Romney Marsh.

The frames and wheel-sets for the originally intended Pacifics were procured from Paxmans in order to complete the work at New Romney, but even this didn't happen and everything was dispatched to Sheffield for final completion.

Named Black Prince on delivery, Number 10 changed name shortly after the war when Number 9 was re-named Winston Churchill (for obvious patriotic reasons and for display at an exhibition in Canada) and Howey knew that the line could not be without a Dr Syn (a local fictional hero of smuggling stories).

Recent alterations — chimney raised and copper-capped, domes raised, bell, white lining, headlights and chimney-mounted numbers — give this popular engine a very American appearance.

Dr Syn Website Link

Dr Syn Picture Gallery

• Dr Syn receives pre-journey attention at Hythe May 1991
• In pristine condition at New Romney
• View of Dr Syn and New Romney from the footbridge
• At Hythe Station
• Waiting for train at New Romney
• At a busy New Romney in May 1997
• With the 'Romney Explorer' in the siding at Dymchurch during the 75th Anniversary Celebrations on 14th July 2002
• In the station at dymchurch with the 'Romney Explorer' during the 75th Anniversary Celebrations on 14th July 2002
• View of the 'Romney Explorer' from the Dymchurch footbridge during the 75th Anniversary Celebrations on 14th July 2002
• With a Santa Special at Hythe in December 2002
• Piloting the Belarus Express through the flooded tunnels under Station Road

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Dr Syn 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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