Steams up.

34.2 Miles. Now at the old Dairy near Rye.

Leaving Folkestone we head out to the coast along the A259 calling at Hythe, Dymchurch and New Romney. Of course to any true railway fan this can only mean one thing, the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway between Hythe and Dungeness. At Hythe and Dymchurch parking was not good but at New Romney we were able to drive into the Railway car park and hide ourselves away in a corner. A quick chat with the station staff to confirm it was OK to leave our baby in the car park and we were set.

Hercules waits to take the 13.35 train to Dungeness on the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway.

As the next train was not due to depart until 13.30 hrs we had time for lunch back in the van. At just after 1300hrs we heard a steam whistle so we knew the train was steam hauled. Our train to Dungeness was hauled by 4-8-0 Hercules. Just before we departed the train to Hythe arrived hauled by 4-6-2 Hurricane, both impressive shiny loco’s. Heading out of New Romney between all the houses wasn’t very interesting except for the fact that most gardens were just pebbles in which very little grows. Some householders had bought in top soil in an attempt to make a garden where others had made concrete patio’s and placed many large pots around with mainly flowers to brighten the place up.

New Romney railway station and engine shed. The train under camouflage on the left is a replica of a WWII defence train.

The only station on the way was Romney Sands where there is a Park Resorts holiday camp similar I suppose to a Butlins holiday camp. Row upon row of permanent caravans with a covered swimming pool and an assortment of other buildings. No doubt it has it’s supporters but it didn’t do much for us. Leaving here we ventured out onto the Denge Marsh, part of Romney Marsh, generally referred to as Dungeness headland where the sea is still adding to the headland by constantly moving shingle. This is not really a marsh but probably the most desolate place on the South coast, even Gorse and Broom struggle to grow here. It’s no wonder they chose it as a site for a nuclear power station. Other than 2 lighthouses and dozens of what we would call fishermen’s hut’s or baches (pronounced batches) it is left to Mother Nature.

Romney Hythe and Dymchurch railway. Hurricane built in 1926.

After a pleasant 3 hours on the RH & DR we headed off to our next CL camp site at Rye. Arriving there later than planned it was too late to catch a bus into Rye so we set about washing the baby after venturing down some muddy lanes and getting it filthy dirty.

The old Dungeness Lighthouse.

A total of 932 miles, since 5 March 2011