The Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway are currently running an appeal to help them pay for different projects that have been put on hold due to the coronavirus.

The RHDR celebrates 100 years of service in 2027. Ninety-three years of service and thousands of holidaymakers have steamed across the Romney Marshes, and the railway also helped England’s War effort.

However, in 2020, it has had to close for a number of months due to the coronavirus, whilst it has been able to reopen back in July, it has once again had to close due to the current Lockdown 2.0.

The team at the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway have carefully managed the finances through wage cuts and working hours. However, to protect the future of the railway, the railway has launched a Winter Works Fund, with a target of £200,000.

The objectives of the fund are:

• Retain staff with the skills required
• Coach refurbishment and repainting
• Installation and replacement of points at Romney Sands
• Re-sleepering of the Hythe line
• Purchasing new coal for the new season
• An upgrade to the booking system and website.

Without this support, the steam trains will not have good track to run on, or have weatherproof accommodation to keep them safe.

Funds of £100,000 will support projects such as:

• Track and foundation renewal from Reunion Halt to St Mary’s Bay on the down line
• Track and foundation renewals from Prince of Wales Bridge to Hythe on the Up Line.

Funds of £50,000, which is available for match-funding of up to £100,000 will support the preparation for the New Engine Shed to become a running shed. Every pound donated will be double by the RHDR Association until the full £100,000 is released.

The Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway said: “The railway is hugely grateful to all passengers who have travelled with us and supported us in our current fundraising efforts. Trains have run at reduced capacity to ensure they’re ‘steaming safely’ and meeting the ‘Good To Go’ guidelines and most have seen good levels of ticket sales bringing in much needed revenue but the work to attract passengers must continue.”

If you would like to support the RHDR, please visit their JustGiving page by clicking here.

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