Don't get me wrong, I'm really not a train enthusiast.
In fact I would usually run a mile to avoid using the railway or use my car instead, which is considerably cheaper and more reliable than rail travel, if not as fast (but that is another subject).
And my idea of a train buff is a sad person (generally of the male persuasion) who really ought to get out more often and see a real side of life.
Having made clear my skeptical credentials clear, I feel it is only fair to say that I was both enjoyably surprised and really impressed by the experience we had on the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway and I felt very humble seeing what a group of really dedicated people had achieved even if I had previously put them in the sad category (I apologies unreservedly).
The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway is a miniature steam railway.
Perfect in every way but on a smaller scale.
It was first opened to traffic in July 1927 as the World's smallest public railway and now covers a total distance of thirteen and a half miles from the Port of Hythe, near the channel tunnel, to the fisherman's cottages and lighthouses, at Dungeness.
The track is only 15 inches wide and the fleet of 14 trains, all built between 1925 and 1937, which operate on this track, are all one-third full size steam and diesel locomotives.
They have been built to run safely at speeds of up to 25mph and they each have lovely evocative names such as Green Goddess, the Bug, Samson, Winston Churchill and Black Prince.
These are very real locomotives.
They are real steam engines designed to do a real job and in no sense are they to be considered as toys or the sort of tacky fairground trains that you see at family attractions or theme parks.
Steam trains have always had a fascination for children, and even now, many decades after the end of working steam trains, any young child will describe a real train as a steam engine.
The number of privately restored and privately operated railways is a testament to the nature of lasting respect we have for the steam engine and the vision they engender in our imaginations.
I am old enough to remember when they operated on all out railways and the sight and sound of them rushing towards when you stood on a bridge above the railway was a memorable experience.
We probably have the Rev.
W.
V.
Awdry, author of Thomas the tank engine to thank for that but never the less it shows how emotive steam trains were.
I have to admit at this point, that the Thomas the Tank Engine books were one of my favourite books as a young child, and their continued popularity is an indication of the respect we still have for steam locomotives.
The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway was the result of the dreams of two men; Captain J.
E.
P.
Howey, a millionaire land owner and Count Louis Zborowski, who was famous for owning the Chitty Bang Bang Mercedes.
Both men were also racing drivers.
They both wanted to build a fully working express railway and the Count ordered two pacific locomotives (Green Goddess and Northern Chief), to run on the 15 inch gauge rails.
These were designed by Henry Greenly of Colchester who worked for Davey, Paxman and Co.
Before they were delivered however, the Count was killed in a race at Monza in the Italian Grand Prix.
Howey was now left with two locomotives and the problem of finding somewhere to run them.
It was decided that Romney Marsh was the ideal location and the official opening took place on 16th July 1927, with Hercules hauling the first train from Hythe to New Romney.
The experience of traveling on one of the most evocative trains in the World, through the Kent countryside is well worth the effort of suppressing ones prejudices.
Even I, a very dedicated critic and railway skeptic, found myself really enjoying the experience and despite my entrenched skepticism.
I have to admit it, I would recommend this attraction to all visitors to the area.
In fact I would usually run a mile to avoid using the railway or use my car instead, which is considerably cheaper and more reliable than rail travel, if not as fast (but that is another subject).
And my idea of a train buff is a sad person (generally of the male persuasion) who really ought to get out more often and see a real side of life.
Having made clear my skeptical credentials clear, I feel it is only fair to say that I was both enjoyably surprised and really impressed by the experience we had on the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway and I felt very humble seeing what a group of really dedicated people had achieved even if I had previously put them in the sad category (I apologies unreservedly).
The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway is a miniature steam railway.
Perfect in every way but on a smaller scale.
It was first opened to traffic in July 1927 as the World's smallest public railway and now covers a total distance of thirteen and a half miles from the Port of Hythe, near the channel tunnel, to the fisherman's cottages and lighthouses, at Dungeness.
The track is only 15 inches wide and the fleet of 14 trains, all built between 1925 and 1937, which operate on this track, are all one-third full size steam and diesel locomotives.
They have been built to run safely at speeds of up to 25mph and they each have lovely evocative names such as Green Goddess, the Bug, Samson, Winston Churchill and Black Prince.
These are very real locomotives.
They are real steam engines designed to do a real job and in no sense are they to be considered as toys or the sort of tacky fairground trains that you see at family attractions or theme parks.
Steam trains have always had a fascination for children, and even now, many decades after the end of working steam trains, any young child will describe a real train as a steam engine.
The number of privately restored and privately operated railways is a testament to the nature of lasting respect we have for the steam engine and the vision they engender in our imaginations.
I am old enough to remember when they operated on all out railways and the sight and sound of them rushing towards when you stood on a bridge above the railway was a memorable experience.
We probably have the Rev.
W.
V.
Awdry, author of Thomas the tank engine to thank for that but never the less it shows how emotive steam trains were.
I have to admit at this point, that the Thomas the Tank Engine books were one of my favourite books as a young child, and their continued popularity is an indication of the respect we still have for steam locomotives.
The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway was the result of the dreams of two men; Captain J.
E.
P.
Howey, a millionaire land owner and Count Louis Zborowski, who was famous for owning the Chitty Bang Bang Mercedes.
Both men were also racing drivers.
They both wanted to build a fully working express railway and the Count ordered two pacific locomotives (Green Goddess and Northern Chief), to run on the 15 inch gauge rails.
These were designed by Henry Greenly of Colchester who worked for Davey, Paxman and Co.
Before they were delivered however, the Count was killed in a race at Monza in the Italian Grand Prix.
Howey was now left with two locomotives and the problem of finding somewhere to run them.
It was decided that Romney Marsh was the ideal location and the official opening took place on 16th July 1927, with Hercules hauling the first train from Hythe to New Romney.
The experience of traveling on one of the most evocative trains in the World, through the Kent countryside is well worth the effort of suppressing ones prejudices.
Even I, a very dedicated critic and railway skeptic, found myself really enjoying the experience and despite my entrenched skepticism.
I have to admit it, I would recommend this attraction to all visitors to the area.
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