Almost 75 years to the day, Kent’s Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway celebrated its 75th Anniversary on Sunday 14th July. This famous 15in gauge line originally opened for business on Saturday 16th July 1927. The re-enactment of the inaugural train that departed at the same time 3pm and was hauled by the same locomotive 4-8-2 No.5 was host to local dignitaries including the mayors of Hythe and New Romney, staff from the past and directors of the railway company. In addition to this, over 180 other passengers enjoyed the non-stop ride from Hythe to New Romney passing through disused stations that were signed for that day only offering unique opportunities for photographs. On its arrival at New Romney speeches congratulated the success and the importance of the Railway over its 75 years, commemorating its part in World War two, and the provision of local transport to pupils from the local secondary school for 25 years. Non-stop trains such as The Maddieson’s Camp Special, Golden Jubilee, The Marshlander and The Bluecoaster Limited flashed through New Romney to re-create the atmosphere of a true mainline railway.
