The Smallest Public Railway in the World

For a day out for families with young children or for adults who hunger for the days of stream, the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway is hard to beat and day out any small boy can't fail to love. A fully operational steam railway in miniature, the RH&D service runs from Dungeness to Hythe stopping at four stations along way, most with opportunity for refreshment and entertainment for children, and provides an unusual and enjoyable way to see the Romney Marshes.

RH&D Railway History

Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway The railway was the vision of millionaire racing drivers, Captain J. E. P. Howey and Count Louis Zborowski, and opened in July 1927 with the first line running between Hythe and New Romney. The service was a considerable success, became famous as being the ‘smallest public railway in the world’ and quickly grew with more locomotives and carriages were being added.

During WW2, the line seconded for military use and even had its own miniature armoured train. Since then it has had ups and downs. A succession of owners in the 1960s invested little and the line suffered a result. In 1973 new owners took over, and since then new trains and services introduced and the track, bridges and stations maintained. Currently the service operates with 14 one-third sized steam and diesel locomotives ferrying a fleet of carriages and even restaurant cars up and down the 13.5 mile line at speeds of up to 25 miles an hour on 15” wide track.

Childrens Events

Special events are regularly held for young children (under 11) with Thomas the Tank engine visiting occasionally along with Santa’s Steam Engine (powered by reindeer) during the Christmas period. For more details, children can join a ‘Bug Club’ for £6/year to keep them informed of events, competitions and advance information.

Stations on the RH&D Line

Dungeness: The terminus station and added to the line in 1928. From here passengers can depart for a spot of lunch at the station café or nearby pub; take in fabulous views from the top of the Old Lighthouse or wonder around the surreal landscape that is the Dungeness headland.

Romney Sands: Providing a stopping point for the caravan site, holiday camp and beach.

New Romney: One of the original terminus stations, head office for the service and well worth visit with engine sheds; workshops; café and model museum. New Romney is also a Cinque Port and the “Capital of Romney Marsh” and has numerous shops and pubs and a supermarket for those in need of break.

St Mary’s Bay: The station is a short walk from good sandy beaches.

Dymchurch: Kids paradise, Dymchurc h features wonderful sandy beaches and small fun fair. There is also a Martello tower open to visitors, several historic pubs and numerous cafés.

Hythe: The other end of the RH&D line, Hythe is a historic Cinque Port town and like New Romney is a good place to stop off for a while, with lots to see and do and a wide selection of watering-holes.

Train Timetable

Trains on the RH&D railway run regularly throughout the day from around 10am during May, June, July, August and September. During the peak in August, the service runs approximately every 40 minutes until approximately 5 o'clock. For comprehensive train time tables, see the RH&D timetables.