DUNGENESS & THE ROMNEY, HYTHE AND DUNGENESS RAILWAY

 I've included the RH&D Railway with Dungeness, as it's the best place to see the trains under working conditions. But we will start with Dungeness itself.

Dungeness takes its' name from Denge Marsh, one of the marshes now incorporated under the banner of 'Romney Marsh'. The -ness part of the name means a headland, cape or nose.

Dungeness is one of the largest expanses of shingle in Europe, and is classified as Britain's only desert by the Met Office. It is of international conservation importance for its geomorphology, plant and invertebrate communities and birdlife. This is recognised and protected mostly through its conservation designations as a National Nature Reserve (NNR), a Special Protection Area (SPA), a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and part of the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) of Dungeness, Romney Marsh and Rye Bay.

There is a remarkable variety of wildlife living at Dungeness, with over 600 different types of plant: a third of all those found in Britain. It is one of the best places in Britain to find insects such as moths, bees and beetles, and spiders; many of these are very rare, some found nowhere else in Britain.

The short-haired bumblebee, Bombus subterraneus, was last found in the UK in 1988, but has survived in New Zealand after being shipped there more than 100 years ago. After unsuccessful attempts to reintroduce the New Zealand bees at Dungeness in 2009-2010, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Hymettus, Natural England and the RSPB teamed up with the Swedish government in a second attempt and introduced 51 of them in 2012 and 49 in 2013 to the Dungeness Reserve. This will be continued each year to ensure a successful integration.

The flooded gravel pits on Denge Beach, both brackish and fresh water, provide an important refuge for many migratory and coastal bird species. The RSPB has a bird reserve there, and every year thousands of bird watchers visit the peninsula and its bird observatory.

One of the most remarkable features of the site is an area known as 'the patch' or, by anglers, as 'the boil'. The waste hot water and sewage from the Dungeness nuclear power stations are pumped into the sea through two outfall pipes, enriching the biological productivity of the sea bed and attracting seabirds from miles around. Unfortunately, one power station has been decommissioned, and the other is shortly joining it.

There have been six lights at Dungeness. At first only a beacon was used to warn sailors, but this was replaced by a proper lighthouse in 1615, when James I granted a license to erect a 35-foot high wooden tower on the spot. As the sea retreated, this had to be replaced in 1635 by a new lighthouse nearer to the water's edge known as Lamplough's Tower.

As more shingle was thrown up, a new and more up-to-date lighthouse was built near the sea in 1792 by Samuel Wyatt. This lighthouse was about 35 m (115 ft) high and of the same design as the third Eddystone Lighthouse.

In 1862 Dungeness became the first electrically powered lighthouse in England. Unfortunately, electrical engineering at that stage was too inefficient, and the electrical power was replaced by oil-fired lights once more. From the mid-19th century, it was painted black with a white band to make it more visible in daylight; similar colours have featured on the subsequent lighthouses here. This lighthouse was demolished in 1904, but the lighthouse keepers' accommodation, built in a circle around the base of the tower, still exists.

In 1901 building of the fifth lighthouse, the High Light Tower, started. It was first lit on 31 March 1904 and still stands today. It is no longer in use as a lighthouse but is open as a visitor attraction. It is a circular brick structure, 41 m (135 ft) high and 11 m (36 ft) in diameter at ground level. It has 169 steps, and gives visitors a good view of the shingle beach. It is Grade I listed.

The Trinity House arms on the side of Dungeness light No.5 

As the sea receded further, and after building the nuclear power station which obscured the light of the 1904 lighthouse, a sixth lighthouse, Dungeness Lighthouse was built. The sea is still receding, so eventually, we will probably need a No.7, but with the advancements is modern technology, and satellite technology, we possibly never will. 

The Round House, which stands next to the Old Lighthouse, once three cottages for the resident lighthouse keepers.

a view from the main road to Dungeness across to the two power stations. Now, Dungeness A has been decommissioned and demolished - with the exception of the nuclear core, which is totally encased in concrete. Dungeness B is also decommissioned, and in the process of having all 'safe' areas being cleared, before that, too, will be encased in concrete.

This is the railhead, where once a week, a train would arrive to replenish the nuclear fuel rods and remove the spent ones.

Some random shots of the power base area

The first power station was built in 1965 and the second in 1983. They are within a wildlife sanctuary deemed a Site of Special Scientific Interest and despite high safety risks posed by the station, birds do flourish in the warmer water created by the station's outflow

The older power station closed on 31 December 2006, while the newer station had its licence extended to 2018. 

Dungeness itself, is private land, currently owned by the energy company, EDF. They currently permit free access to people who want to enjoy the peace and tranquility, and the unique flora and fauna of what has been termed 'Britain's only desert'.

As well as the power stations, the RSPB has a large bird reserve, around brackish laked formed when part of the ness was dug for shingle.

There are also two pub restaurants, the Britannia, and my favourite, the Pilot. This one has its' own outdoor space and garden with a difference. 

There is also a lifeboat station

Lining the road across the estate, are a few 'shacks'. These were originally where the fishermen lived, but are now mostly summer residences and holiday lets. I haven't photographed them - and won't unless I can be sure they are empty - as I respect people's right to privacy. Building is not permitted on the estate, and neither is photography for commercial reasons, without a licence to do so. However, the Management are happy to let you take your own photos.

Some random shots.................

Just visible in the picture below, to the right of the shack, is one of several narrow gauge tracks that were laid across the shingle banks from the sea to the roadway, to aid the landing of fish and hauling them over the stones.

Dungeness is home to some of the most unique flora and fauna in the country. However, one of my favourites is plentiful there - it's the lovely Sea Kale. The abundant white flowers on each plant emit a beautiful sweet smell, especially on a warm sunny day. 

when you see the size of some of the sea kale plants, growing on the shingle, you wonder how it survives with no visible soil to nourish it

Common bugloss

the beautiful horned poppy

ragwort and bugloss growing side by side

I think this toadflax is probably an escaped cultivar

pink sea thrift is also very common

And this profusion of golden broom around Dungeness station, brings us neatly to the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway.

I've included this here, as an adjunct to Dungeness, because, although the 14 mile line runs right across Romney Marsh, Dungeness is the best place to get a good view of it. Here, the train approaches the terminus across the wide, open expanse of the Dungeness Estate, giving uninterrupted view of the working train. You can then get 'close up and personal' with the locomotive as it stands at the station for quite a while before commencing its return journey to Hythe. The station also has the largest car park on the Dungeness Estate, from where you can explore. It is opposite the defunct Lighthouse No.5 which can be visited, and has a nice little cafe, toilets and gift shop

Dungeness is also the furthest station on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway.

The RH&DR was the culmination of the dreams of two men; Captain J. E. P. Howey — a sometimes racing driver, millionaire land owner, former Army Officer and miniature railway afficionado and Count Louis Zborowski — eminently well-known racing driver of his day (famous for owning and racing the Chitty Bang Bang Mercedes) and considerably richer, even, than Howey.

The Count was keen to build a fully working express railway using the 15" gauge, and Howey — well known in miniature circles for owning large locomotives — was inspired by the vision also.

The official opening took place on 16th July 1927, with Hercules hauling that inaugural train from Hythe to New Romney.

The Light Railway, as it is known locally, is the world's only narrow gauge railway, running a fully-scheduled service, mostly by steam. It does, however, have a diesel loco that is used to haul the daily School trains during term time. Lucky those children who use it every day to go to school! 

Actually, the name is a bit of a misnomer. Captain Howey, for a start, before planning permission was granted for the railway line, bought a field in Littlestone (about 1/2 mile from New Romney) and built a station on it. (now known as New Romney station). So really, I suppose, it should be the Dungeness, Littlestone, Dymchurch and Hythe Railway. But that doesn't sound as memorable as the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway.