A Brief History of the RH&DR

The RH&DR was the culmination of the dreams of two men; Captain J. E. P. Howey — a sometimes racing driver, millionaire land owner, former Army Officer and miniature railway afficionado and Count Louis Zborowski — eminantly well-known racing driver of his day (famous for owning and racing the Chitty Bang Bang Mercedes) and considerably richer, even, than Howey.

Count Louis Zborowski at the wheel of a Mercedes and J.E.P Howey, driving a Greenly designed Atlantic at Staughton Manor

The Count was keen to build a fully working express railway using the 15" guage, and Howey — well known in miniature circles for owning large locomotives to the gauge — 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.

Henry Greenly with one of the RH&DR pacifics

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. and which would run on the miniature express line the pair were determined to build.

Before they were delivered however, the Count was killed while racing at Monza in the Italian Grand Prix. Howey was left 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.

Earl Beauchamp (Lord Warden of the Cique Ports), General Sir Ivor Maxse (Chairman of the railway company), Howey and Traffic manager Robert Hardie, inspect Hercules and the inaugural train.

When first opened to the public the line only covered, in double track, the eight miles between Hythe and New Romney — the railways main terminus. Owner Captain Jack Howey soon had his eye on extending the line and in 1928 double tracks carried the trains to Dungeness via Greatstone. A fantastic main line ride of 13.5 miles.

During those early years, the railway became famous and people came to ride on the 'Smallest Public Railway in the World'. The locomotive fleet was extended to nine main-line express engines and a fleet of luxurious coaches were built.

A heavily armoured Hercules and train at Dymchurch

The war years took their toll, the line being requisitioned by the War Department — they even created the only miniature armoured train in the world — and was used extensively during the building of PLUTO (Pipe Line Under The Ocean) which fuelled the Allied invasion force.

Laurel and Hardy re-open the Dungeness section in 1947

As peace-time returned, the RH&DR were keen to re-open which they soon did; Hythe to New Romney in 1946 and the Dungeness section following a year later with Laurel and Hardy cutting the ribbon. But the cost of hostilities were obvious; New Romney to Dungeness was now single line only, as the raw materials to re-build were scarce and the cost high.

The post-war years were good, and the publicity gained from being a front-line railway paid some dividends. The fifties and early sixties saw a boom in tourism and the Kent coast and the RH&DR benefited greatly, but the arrival of cheap package holidays to sunnier climes soon saw the passenger numbers fall.

Owner Howey was also ageing (he died in September 1963) and investment in the railway was not all it could have been. As new owners took the concern on and then passed to yet other new owners, the extent of this lack of investment became apparent. Bridges were in poor condition, rolling stock was ageing and uncomfortable, locomotives were costly to maintain.

Sir William MacAlpine

After a near-death experience a new consortium, headed by Sir William MacAlpine, saved the day in 1973 and much investment has taken place over the intervening years, and these days the railway seems to be in fine fettle; bridges renewed, rolling stock replaced and well maintained, two new diesel locos, term-time school train. The RH&DR Association also plays a key part in supporting the railway both financially and with volunteer staff throughout the year in various departments.

Captain Howey commissioned Greenly to build a railway that would last his life time. We, today who still enjoy the RH&DR, must be eternally grateful to Greenly that it did just that. We must also applaud those that have since maintained and restored Greenly's work and instigated many new projects that ensure the railway steams through this new century and towards its own 100 year landmark with vigour and enthusiasm.

The RH&DR — still one of the railway wonders of the world.