The railway was first opened to traffic in July 1927 as the 'World's Smallest Public Railway' and now covers a distance of 14 miles from the picturesque Cinque Port of Hythe, near the Channel Tunnel, to the fishermens cottages and lighthouse at Dungeness. Yet small as the railway is, it has played an important role not just as a tourist attraction but in war time too. 

The railway was the culmination of the dreams of two men; Captain J. E. P. Howey - a sometimes racing driver, millionaire land owner and 15" guage railway aficionado, and Count Louis Zborowski - a well-known racing driver of his day (famous for owning and racing the Chitty Bang Bang Mercedes and considerably richer than even Howey).

It was used during World War II although those years took their toll on the railway. The line was requisitioned by the War Department during the war, who created the only miniature armoured train in the world - it was also used extensively during the building of PLUTO (Pipe Line Under The Ocean) which fuelled the Allied invasion force.

Today, it's a unique journey on the Romney Marsh, a real steam mainline in miniature, and the RH&DR operates in much the same way as it did in 1927. The same destinations, the same locomotives. Still one of the railway wonders of the world.

Information and photograph The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway.

Further information The RH&D Railway