Our Story

We support the unique miniature mainline express steam and diesel trains of the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, celebrating their 90-year history and heritage from the madcap Grand Prix racers of the 1920s, through wartime service, royal and celebrity visitors, a million and more happy holidays for all ages, into the future.

The Railway’s story is amazing and we are its proudest supporters.

The Romney has always had loyal followers and enthusiasts: from the friends of Captain Howey who, in the 1920’s and 30’s,  used to bunk down in what is now the coach-painting building (the paint shop); through to others who visited year after year and documented what they saw, like the late Norman Danger; down to the formation in 1967 of the RH&DRSA itself. And of course, the Association’s story continues to develop and adjust, seeking to support the railway, conserve its history,  and tell its story to a wider audience.

You can read more about the RH&DRSA here.

We have a story because the Railway has a story

Opened by royalty, scene of steam races, happy holidays, wildlife reserves and nuclear power stations, historic castles and coastline – our heroes are eleven 90-year-old steam locomotives and a crew of staff and volunteers dedicated to the spirit of miniature mainline heritage rail travel.

This is the story of the RHDR, which has gripped and enthused the members of the Association.

And the heritage of the early days, with Captain Howey and Count Louis Zborowski racing in the 1920’s Grand Prix is even emulated today by members racing in gravity machines!

Count Louis in the original Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He ordered locomotive No2, today’s Northern Chief.

(The original uploader was Ian Dunster at English Wikipedia – Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1609638)

William Finniss raced this in 2015 carrying the Railway’s name.