Solved WWW No 168 (last updated 10 February 2014)

WWW No.168 – Negative RFR 0: A Miniature Tank Locomotive and Wagons (section updated 16 November - some but not all, required information has been received)

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The subject of the photograph looks like one of Colonel R.B. Tyrrell’s lines beside the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway (RHDR). There were a couple of lines, one of which was on the abandoned curve in the RHDR formation at New Romney (near the sheds). It is thought that the locomotive was called Atlanta or similar. However, I would be most grateful if members could amplify any elements of the above such as:

Who was Colonel Tyrrell (or Tyrell)? - (NB A photo of Col Tyrrell and a small amount of information about him has already been discovered in answer to a previous WWW photo query.) More information on him however welcomed.

What was the gauge?

What was the purpose of the line - open and closure dates?

Who built the locomotive, when and what was its name, does it still exist

Any other information please?

Please forward information to K. Greenwood. Bradstones, Charlton Road, Holcombe, Bath, Somerset, BA3 5ER.

The photograph was taken by the late Dick Roberts in August 1937.

Information received from Colin Peake and R. Wood is acknowledged with thanks.

Addenda – Answer to 168 – A Miniature Tank Locomotive and Wagons

Page 229 September/October 2013 Journal, Negative RFR 0

Information in respect of the above picture was published on page 283 of the November/December 2013 Journal. At the time that these details were prepared, utilising the available information, it was considered that there were a number of questions that remained outstanding. Arising from the request on that page additional information has been received and the following books have been consulted:

• The World’s Smallest Public Railway by O.J. Morris (Ian Allan, 1946)
• One Man’s Railway by J.B. Snell (David & Charles, 1983)
• A Romney Album , by Paul Ross (RHDR Association, ISBN 09505100 1 7 (no date), all of which provide clues; there could be other sources of information.
• Historical Guide to the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Light Railway by C.S. White (RHDR Association, 1976|).

Lt Col R. B. Tyrrell, a miniature railway enthusiast, ran a miniature railway (s?) in the area close to the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch line. Col. Tyrrell’s 7½in gauge line, was located on RHDR land beside the main line (from the engine shed) and behind the rockery. This 600 yards long 7½ in line ended near the RHDR tracks some way outside the station, ie on the Up side of

the 15in gauge RHDR line and on the Hythe (north) side of New Romney Station.

The locomotive seen in Dick Robert’s photograph on page 229 of September /Ocober 2013 Journal appears to be a 0-4-4T named Atlanta. Colonel Tyrrell designed and built this engine in the New Romney workshops; the engine is facing north, with riding truck behind the bunker and with four passenger wagons.

A variety of locomotives used were used on this line. An S15 4-6-0 and the 0-4-4T Atlanta locomotives were purchased by Mr A.B. Macleod, a member of the SLS. The S15 was retained by him but Atlanta was later sold to someone in America with either a wagon or wagons. Our member, C.J. Bishop, President of the Great Cockrow Railway, owns the S15 which was originally built to 7½in gauge and had Baker valve gear (no smoke deflectors). This locomotive was re gauged to the UK standard of 7¼in gauge and upon purchase was altered to Walschaerts valve gear. The S15 can still be seen running on the 7¼in Great Cockrow Railway.

A Royal Scot 4-6-0 is known to have run on the line. Members are referred to WWW No. 138 on pages 62 and 131 of the Journal in 2008.

Information received from C.J. Bishop, Tony Davies, John New and R. Wood is acknowledged with thanks.

Readers who can provide details of the picture(s) including location and date should write to K. Greenwood, Bradstones, Charlton Road, Holcombe, Somerset. BA3 5ER. (Email contact not available) To contact the Society