The RH&DR opened to the public in 1927. The brainchild of Captain J.E.P Howey and Count Louis Zborowski the 15” gauge railway was often referred to as the ‘Smallest Public Railway in the World’. Originally running between the Cinque Port towns of Hythe and New Romney, the line was later extended down to Dungeness completing the 13 ½ mile journey. The railway has survived many historic events including World War Two in which the railway was requisitioned by the War Department and was used extensively during the building of PLUTO which fuelled the Allied Invasion Force. The Railway has also attracted many noteworthy fans including comedians Laurel and Hardy and the Royal Family, not to mention the thousands of domestic and overseas visitors that visit each year to ride behind one of the eleven world famous steam locomotives.