The little railway that could - RH&DR

In this video, we take a look at the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, a 15-inch gauge line that was more than a mere tourist attraction
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This video falls under the fair use act of 1976 This video is available to use under the appropriate Creative Commons Licence.
Any images used that fall under any Creative Commons Licence belong to their respective owners.

[@K-Effect]

If that train was my means of transportation to school I would never miss a day

[@littlemini3171]

I remember going to school by train until they stopped it

[@ivangenov6782]

I would have gone on it and I don't care if there was better transportation

[@mistermadmachine6311]

Me too

[@robertstevenson4910]

*YES*

[@matthew_natividad]

That would be the highlight of my day

[@MinimumGauge]

"15 inches is plenty" - This post was made by the minimum gauge gang.

[@graceygal2664]

"7 feet is enough" - this post presented by the broad gauge gang

[@MiddletownBranchProd.]

“An inch is *pleeeeenty* !” This post was brought by the HO Scale gang

[@Pensyfan19]

"Inches? Where we're going, we don't need inches" - This post was made by the T gauge gang.

[@MrXbow4300]

“A single rail” This post was made by a fair ground ride in Welsh.

[@personpointingtwogunsatyou]

“no rail” this post was made by the articulated bus gang.

[@daxs9n121]

Rex mike and Bert weren’t kidding when they said “never overlook a little engine”

[@grandadmiralthrawn92]

I was hoping somebody would make a reference from the "Thomas the Tank Engine" books, and I was not disappointed.

[@Bigbigpoopi]

@@grandadmiralthrawn92 i forgot rex`s name

[@Maonnaise]

Pffft i should've expected this

[@SebbusWebbus]

“Never overlook a little engine.”

[@Blueberry.Flavored]

Little ones are really useful too!

[@WelshGiraffa]

They may have tiny track but they’ll get you there and back

[@AndrewHager02]

You took the words right out of my mouth.

[@xri0tt]

“Little engines can do big things.”

[@sarodanadian6496]

Wait are these the engines they were based off?

[@TrainMan88]

this channel is the find of century for me

[@MrXbow4300]

Here, here

[@oliverthebrblack5330]

Arlesdale railway!

[@troypapworth5102]

so true

[@drijfkip1]

For shure this is a great new channel. He get's to the point and can tell the story in a few minutes. Nice voice also , but i don't get his accent. Maybe it's just decent english...

[@FlyingFoxProductions8995]

Agree

[@jorelmendoza8842]

The more I hear about this railway the more it amazes me, especially the fact that it was kinda used by the military, the fact that it's still operating, the fact It was started by a racing driver, so on!

[@bigblue6917]

It did account for several German aircraft as well.

[@maverickloggins5470]

Those pictures of the army kitting out mini steam trains with machine guns looked like the most amazing birthday party I never had as a kid

[@looseycanon]

Holly moly that WW2 arc... That was like Thomas the Tank engine declaring him self a soldier! :D

[@ThatOneGuyWhoLikeBees]

"But Thomas was only following orders," Sir Topham Hatt had said... But his excuse was of no worth, and Thomas was scraped within a moment's notice.

[@alexsykes5295]

The fact that this railway is actually useful to this day baffles me, this was literally my final connection to a wake

[@pilcrow1546]

My grandparents lived in Hythe, and as a kid, going for a ride on these miniture trains was the second best part of every visit down to them. The best part of the visits were of course the extensive HO/OO guage model railway they had set up in the exhibit at the New Romney station. I must have spent hours as a child watching those model trains run around that layout, and trying to spot all the easter eggs and jokes included within the diorama! Absolutely worth a visit, I couldn't recommend enough.

[@robertbalazslorincz8218]

You know what I would LAUGH AT when seeing it? *A miniature AA20 "Igor" doing it's job better than the engine it is based off*

[@concept5631]

Poor Igor.

[@concept5631]

*Andreev

[@VestedUTuber]

Alternate title: Man turns 15 inch gauge miniature hobby railway into a public line comparable to any standard gauge line.

[@frglee]

The RH&DR trains run a regular service for nearly 14 miles (22km) across Romney Marsh at over 30mph (48km/hr) in sections, and because you are low down in the coaches (some even open), it feels even faster. The locomotives are beautifully maintained, mostly third scale versions of real pre-war British express engines. Several dozen other 15 inch gauge railways operate in the UK, notably the Ravenglass and Eskdale in Cumbria and the Bure Valley Railway in Norfolk which sometimes swap locomotives with the RH&DR.

[@mattlander9119]

Beleive the official top speed is set at 25mph as it is for all heritage lines. Though on occasion I'm sure it has been broken

[@stuvix]

The Bure Valley actually used a RH&D locomotive on loan when it first opened, however the RH&D locomotives struggle slightly with the gradients on the BVR so they ended up using different locomotives. When they visit they normally end up double heading now :)

[@trainlover16]

This is one of my favourite steam railways in the world. I first visited in 2009 when I was 5 years old and instantly fell in love with it. Since then, I’ve frequently taken friends here and they loved it too. Though not as much as my good friend Danielbtdm does. We now come here together a lot. I’ll be taking my 5 year old cousin here for the first time at the end of July, and I’m almost absolutely sure that he’ll love it as much as me and Dan do.

[@grandadmiralthrawn92]

It's been a few months, did he enjoy it?

[@trainlover16]

@@grandadmiralthrawn92 Exceptionally. He adored it. I’ve promised to take him and his parents again next summer.

[@safiuddinhanafy2014]

The fact that these engines were used in ww2 scares me.... Rex,Mike and Bert weren't kidding when they said to never overlook a little engine.

[@AINGELPROJECT667]

could you imagine being a german soldier in an alternate history WW2, landing on Dungeness beach, only to see your squad get wiped out by what appears to be a giant toy train set

[@fordmotorman]

You’re under rated as hell

[@turbulanceism]

I am proud to say I am now working for the railway!

[@gregkiteos1936]

My favourite railway. It really is a special place. 13.5 miles of beach and countryside via a 15" gauge railway - it's no gimmick!

[@that1niceguy246]

imagine if this would be a longer railway that still transported freight and passengers regularly, it'd be the closest thing to sodor you could get

[@edwardjenkins5421]

I can just see Mike saying, "Gordon the big engine, eat your firebox out!"

[@thomasshaftoe461]

A few ideas from me 1: Snowdon railway 2: Rail cars 3: Slip coaches 4: Stephenson's rocket 5: The Queen's train 6: Trains without wheels 7: Hogwarts express locomotive story.

[@fernandoqueirozpopovic7024]

This story truly has a great happy end love how since it's opening it runs to this day, I wish they would have some freight use tho, but still is great

[@tennesean_man]

this railway looks like real life arlesdsle railway not gonna lie

[@smileyfawler8454]

Ravenglass and Eskdale was the inspiration for that.

[@CorgiButtOnWheels]

This is so cool! My family has a friend in England who flew us over from the States for a holiday back in 2011, we ended up going to the RH&DR and it was fantastic! I want to say that was the first REAL steam engine I've ridden on (Besides the one at Dollywood. I can't recall if she's stem fired) We also met up with his sons who used the line for school back then. It was a ton of fun! I hope I get to go back one day. The railways was friendly and not to mention beautiful.

[@cheeseflannel8343]

The one in Dollywood is indeed steam fired! Atleast, it was last time I went 4-5 years ago

[@CorgiButtOnWheels]

@@cheeseflannel8343 Oh that's awesome! The last time I went was sometime in the late 00's. I'm guessing it was wood fired?

[@willsheppy]

Having randomly stumbled upon your channel, I love the short form videos you make! I sent the one about FURY to some non-train fan friends of mine and they loved it! Keep it up!

[@fiercetrains4052]

Can you do a video on henry ford's failed electric locomotives he used on his DT&I?

[@BigNate5404]

Amtrakguy365 all ready did a video on it

[@pacificostudios]

15 inch gauge may seem like a toy train, but Maine once had a number of 24 inch gauge railroads and that is just 9 inches more than the RH&DR. Several 2 foot lines still operate in Maine as heritage lines.

[@polarjet1833]

The baby war train looks so funny, I love it

[@titanmechanical17763]

I honestly never heard of that railway before and I think it's amazing how such a small railway can be very successful

[@lordbarristertimsh8050]

"The little railway that could - RH&DR" Train of Thought, you just picked the most appropriate name you could have picked for this video and it's subject. Hats off to you!

[@TruckerMike089]

I've always wanted to build a small gauge railway for myself. This is so cool to see

[@alainarchambault2331]

Cute. We had a small tourist train in Stanley Park. Guess no one else ever thought a small tourist train could actually do work. This does help keep costs down too. Would've loved being an engineer on that run.

[@bluebellsfan8704]

This was awesome! I'm so glad I subscribed to this channel yesterday!

[@fizzyplazmuh9024]

This should be supported by the govt as a national treasure. Beautiful.

[@seventh-hydra]

Oh hell yeah, new favorite channel. Here's to hoping for some long-form videos in the future.

[@keldeostudies149]

Never over look a little engine! I started thinking of that song in my head while looking at this

[@joeyginise6051]

This is adorable!

[@ieuanbriers]

I found your channel by chance and I love it. There are so many other events you can do videos on. The decapod, the Turbomotive, Quentinshill Rail Diaster, Real inspiration for Thomas the Tank Engine stories. Keep up the good work.

[@thomasaly7624]

This has to be one of the most wholesome stories in railroading history.

[@sadwingsraging3044]

Glad to know she is still running!

[@YugyStudios]

I watched all of your videos as of now and I haven't had enough! Your videos are cool and I can't wait for your next upload!

[@arfon2000]

What a gem of a channel

[@ThatGuyDave]

Loving the videos!

[@71hemi440cuda]

These videos are such nice little bites. Offering interesting history without dragging. You have earned a subscriber

[@Boypogikami132]

I think the locomotives built for the RH&DR look like the A1/A3 locos of the LNER built by Nigel Gresley. Also TrainBoy made a sequel to this about the wartime service of the RH&DR

[@Pensyfan19]

Very interesting video! You know what they say, "never overlook a little engine". I'm interested in small, unexpected railway wonders like this where what looks like a tourist attraction is just as good (and in some cases, better) than most standard gauge railroads.

[@josephdedrick9337]

It also is used in zoos and some touristy spots for tranport/transit.

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Very nice update today .With load's of detail

[@DKQuagmire]

i spent a week in Kent this year for my birthday this year (it being on the 25th of May) and my whole family got on this train at new Romney, and traveled south to hythe power station where we sat and had fish and chips and burgers, in our rain coats (it was kinda raining. sorta spitting) before boarding the train again for the trip back.

[@roverp4driver]

I have always had a fascination for railways, British ones in particular as I was born in England, but moved with my folks to Australia in 1950. I read about the RH&D as a young fellow in about 1951 or 52, and had a photograph of Laurel and Hardie opening the railway after the war, however later on I found a building and 'place' in Melbourne that sent me on a hunt for more information. The building was "Howey House:" and the lane beside it was "Howey Place." In those days it was quite a laborious task to research the history, but after some years I managed it, and learned of the connection to the RH&D. The Sea Captain, Henry Howey, who, I believe owned a couple of ships trading around the coast of Australia, bought the land at the first land auction in Melbourne in 1837 for £128. He and his wife drowned when the ship (i don't think it was his own) sank near Sydney. The Howey Estate was set up to manage his affairs. A large building was built on the site and the laneway was named. Henry's younger brother inherited the property, and his son became Captain John Edwards Howey, who was the founder of the RH&D railway, using money from his Mebourne assets.

[@aidy6000]

you have earned my subscription, great content.

[@Handle423]

I love this so much

[@jetteraismabash4186]

I never knew it was used for freight, Great video!

[@GusterProductionsTM]

This channel is very useful and entertaining. I've watched every video and I am very impressed by the info that is being put into each video. I can't to see more from this channel.

[@trainboy3340]

Same here Gus

[@matttheoddestsaddletank518]

Damn, never over look a little engine.

[@m.streicher8286]

Tiny home defense armoured train is the best thing I've ever seen

[@Siejax]

When a mommy locomotive and a daddy locomotive love each other very much, you get 1:19

[@TheStrstudios]

Nice seeing train stuff local to me :3

[@ladela7348]

My Granddad was born in Kent. Whenever he took me down there we went down to the RHDR. Once at Dungeness we decided to get chips. In his infinite wisdom, he then proceeded to put sugar on the chips rather than salt. They tasted like donuts.

[@voltsiano116]

Invading forces: "Ha! Look at those tiny tracks, for little baby men! Conquering this region will be like taking candy from a baby!" Armored patrol train: "Toot-toot, it's time to shoot-shoot."

[@scodeknight3178]

Never overlook a little engine

[@trainlover16]

Little ones are really useful too!

[@tad7441]

@@trainlover16 we’ve got trucks to pull so make them extra full

[@rjharmonproductions]

NEVER OVER LOOK A LITTLE ENGINE ah shit jock and Frank just died time to hide there bodies-mike Bert and Rex

[@trainlover16]

@@tad7441 I’ve never known a job that I couldn’t do!

[@tad7441]

@@trainlover16 With a bit of help from me, maybe

[@davidjones332]

You forgot to mention that Count Louis Zborowski was the creator of the original Chitty Bang Bang, a Maybach-engined racing monster, which he followed up with a second Chitty Bang Bang using an even bigger Mercedes engine reputedly intended for a Zeppelin.

[@zeminor1003]

Great content 🚂

[@disabledinfernotower2170]

i love this

[@cuteb7785]

I live and been on this railway

[@shaunonlyplaysyt9879]

Imagine being a fireman on the trains and now there’s a bunch of random soldiers cramming in your tiny train cramming heavy guns while your locomotive’s boiler is literally about to explode since you overclocked it to carry all that heavy equipment

[@TheWesterner9]

Same here I learn so much

[@BaiocoIslandFilms]

The most amazing part was discovering that they planned an extension and pulled it off successfully

[@andrewmontgomery5621]

I've been there since Childhood

[@thegrandestbazaar4800]

Very good

[@cmc9775]

I would like to work there in those days, not too hard to maintain and a way to get some sunshine.

[@josephdedrick9337]

The cool thing is that at least one group of guys in america saw 15in rails and decided to bring it too America where it is used in at least some zoos for tourist trains and stuff.

[@andrewdking]

The last I knew it was still a public railway with a proper time table all year round. My mate was a paid professional engine driver on it. I think he drove Southern Maid and painted the cab roof white. He and another ex driver became great friends and were known as Sooty and Sweep

[@sebastianstudios7609]

I love going there

[@Manlymale]

Little ones are really useful too...

[@Manlymale]

We may have tiny track But we'll get you there and back..

[@FunAngelo2005]

This angle makes the locomotive look full sized 2:40

[@roadtrain_]

Found your channel and very shortly after binged all your videos. Now only 1 question remains... When are you uploading again and how have I not found you sooner. BLESSED BE THE ALGORYTHM.

[@SaltyVan]

Never overlook a little engine, especially if it is equipped with weapons in wartime

[@stonedperson97]

Man, that would have been an awesome job to be the engineer of a mini-steam locomotive, just hauling freight and goods back and forth all day🚂

[@Scagguy4014]

Welp , I know what I wanna go see on my next vacation

[@Aengus42]

In early Spring, before all the tourists arrive, taking the RH&DR from Hythe to Dungeness & back is a delight! With the fresh green of new growth on the trees & the sun shining it's a gorgeous way to spend the day. But, you must take some headphones, a set for each person. And then play "Dungeness" by Athlete on the little train whilst watching Romney Marsh fly by outside. It's one of life's great pleasures! Here's the lyrics, just in case you forgot a few lines. Ready! 1... 2... 3...and... I found a rope and a rubber glove You found some pretty stones and they had holes so you could tie them together Tie them together Tie them together And when we spoke there was silence 'cause there's no need to make a sound when you've got Smiles instead Smiles instead Smiles instead Go to dungeness Let's go to dungeness Let's go to dungeness Let's go to dungeness No tall latte in a rusty shed Just shots of light and broken bike to stimulate your busy head In dungeness In dungeness Try dungeness Give us a shout before you go. We can meet in the café by Hythe station for a cuppa 😃☮️👍

[@roadwarrior114]

When I get an acreage I want to build a miniature railway on it as a cool way to get to one end of the property to the other. Yeah, I could just use my ATV or racing mower, but this is way cooler.

[@PowerTrain611]

What most people today consider to be mere hobby provided a sincere effort to contribute to the war and the world we know today. Who would have thought? Of course other than we, of the railway community!

[@jamesharley8000]

Love

[@CurvyTribune]

Thomas & Friends had brought this railroad to life in a few episodes

[@bobbler42]

…and it runs a Santa Special, or at least it did when I were a lad In the 90s. Which is a glorified mall grotto, but with tiny trains.

[@adriannash2705]

I follow their Instagram and it's cool to the engines in color and in action

[@justinwilliam6534]

I am curious about the Bell Locomotive Works could you do the history of it please because one of their locomotives is the basis of Timothy from Thomas.

[@nightmareofkaitos]

never overlook a little engine.

[@theinaccurateone5921]

"little engines can do big things!"

[@drexcitement9579]

I know keeping the railway open is the reason for the prices for tickets for the railway but to be honest I would need a loan to get a ticket for it

[@temy4895]

My favourite titbit is that not only did the armoured train run, it shot down a German plane too!

[@PelemusMcSoy]

When I first saw this represented in The Railway Series, I remember scoffing and saying "This is ridiculous. This is pure fiction." Many, many years later, I was proven very wrong.

[@bigblue6917]

The railway did have quite an interesting wartime service account for several aircraft including at least one fighter. A Me-109 I believe. I once read of a German fighter pilot being shot down over Britain insisting that the British aircraft was a Spitfire, this despite the fact that no Spitfire was stationed within 200 miles of where he was shot down. Obviously a pilot as good as him could not have been shot down by anything less than a Spitfire. How his ego would have dealt with being shot down by a Lewis gunner on the RH&DR I do not know.

[@ilikecheeseilikecheese727]

*Wow :0*

[@sebastianthomsen2225]

smol choo choo! :)

[@ibxgameryt9449]

Do A Video About The LNER A1 & A3

[@phamchau4320]

When i first sub to you you only got 693 subs now its 5k jesus

[@paulnicoll1791]

You never mentioned the fact that the refitted armoured train now with a 40mm bofors gun is credited with shooting down a junkers 88 plane

[@yelloweyeball]

Whoa holy shit! I had no idea.

[@abzzeus]

It was help by the pilot getting disorientated on height due to thinking the railway was full sized rather than about quarter size

[@harrisonallen651]

The Arlesdale Engines

[@mattlander9119]

No that was the Ravenglass and Eskdale railway