Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway - 'Autumn Steam & Diesel Gala' 23-24/10/2021

Double-headers, triple-headers, parallel running, triple-headed parallel running, and a magnificent multi-header; this gala was sensational!

As the winter months approach, the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway rounded off their main operating season in style, hosting their 'Autumn Steam & Diesel Gala' over the weekend of October 23rd-24th. The event featured every single operational steam locomotive from the home-fleet, as well as a duo of diesels to bolster the line up.

Among the theatrics, the gala featured frequent non-stop trips. On the Saturday, one such trip featured the RH&DR's original trio of Pacifics; No1 "Green Goddess", No2 "Northern Chief" and No3 "Southern Maid", triple-heading a 28 mile non-stop service from Hythe to Hythe via Dungeness. On the Sunday, a similar run took place, but with the Mountain pair; No5 "Hercules" and No6 "Samson" at the helm. To conclude the timetable on Day 1, a triple-headed parallel run took place from Hythe to New Romney. However, to conclude the weekend, a spectacular multi-header was staged with all 7 currently serviceable 'Mainline' steam locomotives. Appearing in numerical order, the 7 locomotives lead a mega consist of 22 carriages down from New Romney to Dungeness and back.

Locomotives:
RH&DR 'North American' Pacific Class - No9 "Winston Churchill"
RH&DR Pacific Class - No1 "Green Goddess"
RH&DR Bug Class - No4 "The Bug"
RH&DR Mountain Class - No6 "Samson"
RH&DR Pacific Class - No2 "Northern Chief"
RH&DR Pacific Class - No3 "Southern Maid"
R&ER Diesel Class - "Shelagh of Eskdale"
RH&DR Diesel Class - No12 "J.B. Snell"
RH&DR Krupp Pacific Class - No11 "Black Prince"
RH&DR Mountain Class - No5 "Hercules"

All footage filmed on Saturday the 23rd, and Sunday the 24th, of October 2021.