Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway - 'Autumn Gala' 22/10/2023

As the winter months approach, the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway rounded off their main operating season in style, hosting their 'Autumn Gala' over the weekend of October 21st-22nd. The event would see the RH&DR fronting every available resident steam locomotive for the weekend. Operating alongside the home-fleet would be "Siân", visiting from the Kirlees Light Railway at Whistlestop Valley. This would bring the number of locomotives in steam for the event up to 8.

The event showcased some of the RH&DR's much adored theatrics. Services were frequently double-headed with a number of non-stop runs included. To conclude the weekend, a spectacular multi-header was staged, featuring all 8 locomotives hauling a consist of 18 carriages from Dungeness to New Romney. No4 "The Bug" would be on display at New Romney, coupled to the restored RH&DR 4-wheel coach. The coach is thought to be the only surviving 4-wheeler from the early years of service on the RH&DR.

The engine shed at New Romney has become part of the iconic backdrop at the RH&DR. The current structure is the original, built for the railway and its fledgling fleet of locomotives in 1926-27. As the station and its facilities have changed and grown, the shed has acted as a constant in the history and heritage of the site; occasionally receiving modifications through the years. However, this gala is scheduled to be the last featuring the original shed, with the structure now deemed to be beyond economical repair and demolition scheduled. It's a nostalgic chapter coming to a close, with all the memories that those walls are sure to hold, bearing in mind just how many people have oiled, prepared, cleaned, lit, or driven locomotives out of that shed in the 96 years that the railway has been operating.

Locomotives:
RH&DR Pacific Class - No3 "Southern Maid"
RH&DR Mountain Class - No6 "Samson"
RH&DR Mountain Class - No5 "Hercules"
RH&DR Pacific Class - No1 "Green Goddess"
RH&DR Pacific Class - No2 "Northern Chief"
RH&DR Krupp Pacific Class - No11 "Black Prince"
KLR Twining - "Siân"
RH&DR 'North American' Pacific Class - No10 "Doctor Syn"

All footage filmed on Sunday the 22nd of October 2023.