RIVER MITE CONFIRMED FOR ROMNEY, HYTHE & DYMCHURCH MAY GALA

Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway ‘Mikado’ River Mite has been revealed as the visiting locomotive for the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway’s ‘Steam & Diesel Gala’ on May 12/13. The 1966-built 2-8-2 is not the only eight-coupled 15in gauge locomotive putting in a starring appearance at the event, as it also marks the first gala appearance for RHDR 4-8-2 No. 6 Samson since it returned to steam following overhaul. It was scheduled to be launched back into traffic at a special event on April 21, when it was to have hauled a parallel train alongside classmate No. 5 Hercules. The gala will be the first time the RHDR has been able to field both its ‘Mountain’ locomotives – the only engines of that wheel arrangement in Britain – since 2013, when Samson was withdrawn for overhaul. Hercules returned to steam at the same event last year, after a works visit.