Affectionately known as "Kent's Mainline in Miniature", the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway first opened to the public in 1927, with the Dungeness extention following in 1928. These days, stretching just shy of 14 miles along the Kent coast, the railway continues to be the subject of worldwide interest and admiration.
2021 proved to be a fruitful year for the railway, as among their usual array of events, the railway welcomed back its much loved German Pacific, No11 "Black Prince", to join the home-fleet following an overhaul. In typical Romney style, the spectacle didn't stop with their locomotives, as they also produced a number of special workings throughout the year; from frequent double-headed services, triple-headers, parallel running, and the mega multi-header which featured 7 locomotives.
This video follows the RH&DR over the course of their operating year, which was trucated due to the global pandemic, causing a slightly delayed start in the spring. Beginning with their Blue Timetable in spring, and eventually concluding with their 'Santa Specials' in December. As was expected while editing this together, a large section of the video is accounted for by two popular events that were held in the autumn: 'Black Prince Returns', and the 'Autumn Steam & Diesel Gala'.
Locomotives:
RH&DR Mountain Class - No6 "Samson"
RH&DR Pacific Class - No2 "Northern Chief"
RH&DR Pacific Class - No3 "Southern Maid"
RH&DR Mountain Class - No5 "Hercules"
RH&DR Krupp Pacific Class - No11 "Black Prince"
RH&DR 'North American' Pacific Class - No9 "Winston Churchill"
RH&DR Diesel Class - No12 "J.B. Snell"
RH&DR Pacific Class - No1 "Green Goddess"
RH&DR Bug Class - No4 "The Bug"
R&ER Diesel Class - "Shelagh of Eskdale"
All footage filmed on various dates during 2021.