Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway - 'Doctor Syn Returns' 02/04/2023

'The Good Doctor' of the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway has returned, as No10 "Doctor Syn" made a return to public service following an intermediate overhaul.

Built in 1931 by the Yorkshire Engine Company, No10 is the second of two 'North American' outline pacifics built for the RH&DR, and the last steam locomotive purposely built for the railway. When built, No10 carried the name "Black Prince", while No9 carried "Doctor Syn". In 1948, No9 went to North America for an exhibition in Toronto, which saw the locomotive renamed "Winston Churchill". Captain J.E.P. Howey, unhappy at the prospect of there not being a "Doctor Syn" on the RH&DR, saw that No10 would carry the name, with "Black Prince" becoming redundant until the arrival of No11 in 1976.

In this recent overhaul, No10's usual black livery has received some alterations and updates. Among these changes, the locomotive now sports polished boiler bands, while being devoid of lining on its paintwork. The buffer beam has been changed from lined red to black, and the smokebox numberplate has been repainted from yellow to red. In addition, the nameplate has been moved from the cabside to the running plate.

The timetable in use for the day was a modified version of the railways' Green timetable, with some additional services included headed by No10. During the day, 'Syn' made two trips down to Dungeness, spending the majority of the day working a shuttle service between New Romney and Hythe.

Locomotives:
RH&DR 'North American' Pacific Class - No10 "Doctor Syn"
RH&DR Mountain Class - No5 "Hercules"
RH&DR Mountain Class - No6 "Samson"
RH&DR Pacific Class - No1 "Green Goddess"
RH&DR Diesel Class - No12 "J. B. Snell"

All footage filmed on Sunday the 2nd of April 2023.