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RH&DR's "Typhoon" Visits Her Big Sister "Flying Scotsman" at the Bluebell Railway
A chance to re-create a famous photograph from 1927
 Ninety years ago this year, world-famous "Flying Scotsman" posed alongside her smaller sister engine "Typhoon" at Kings Cross station in London.Built by Davey Paxman & Co and delivered to the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway (RH&DR) in 1927, "Typhoon" and RH&DR both turn 90 years old this year. What better way to celebrate than to join with our friends at the Bluebell Railway and recreate this memorable scene. On the morning of 11 April, 2017, "Typhoon" was secured to the flatbed and departed New Romney for Sheffield Park, arriving safely at 2 p.m. She then was carefully unloaded before being stored away.  On 13 April both local and national press gathered to witness "Flying Scotsman" and "Typhoon" side-by-side, reunited once more. Sir William McAlpine, whose connection to the two locomotives stems back to 1972, broke open the ceremonial bottle of champagne at 5:30 p.m. Sir William rescued "Flying Scotsman" from the USA in 1973 having already saved the RH&DR from near closure the previous year.Danny Martin, RH&DR General Manager, says, "There is no more pertinent way to kick off our 90th anniversary celebrations than to look back at the historic meeting of these two railway icons at King's Cross in 1927 and to celebrate that they are still here for future generations to enjoy, hopefully for the next 90 years. Our special thanks to our friends at the Bluebell Railway and the National Railway Museum for making this reunion possible." RH&DR's Tim Godden says, "It was a dream come true for me. When we first thought of reuniting 'Flying Scotsman' and 'Typhoon' for our celebratory book Romney: Then & Now, the dream felt too big. But we persevered, and suddenly the pieces of the jigsaw started falling in to place, thanks to the kind support of the Bluebell Railway. It felt truly emotional to help bring these two iconic locomotives back together, almost 90 years to the day from their first appearance together. There were definitely a few tears in the eyes of the assembled crowd!" By Jade Ashton, Marketing & Events Manager, RH&DR |
