Dungeness railway station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dungeness
Station on heritage railway
A train with the station buildings beyond. The platform ends just behind the locomotive.
Location	Dungeness, Folkestone & Hythe England
Platforms	2
Key dates
August 1928	Opened
30 June 1940	Closed
21 March 1947	Reopened

Dungeness railway station is a special train station on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. This railway is a famous miniature line located on Romney Marsh in Kent, England. The station is known for its unique design and its history, especially during World War II.

The Story of Dungeness Station

Building the Railway Line

The railway line reached Dungeness in stages. The first part of the line to Dungeness opened on May 24, 1928. This was a year after the main line had reached New Romney. However, the tracks only went as far as The Pilot Inn at first.

At The Pilot Inn, a special track layout called a "turning triangle" (or wye) was built. This allowed the train engines to turn around easily. They could then go back towards New Romney or Hythe without needing to be uncoupled.

Work continued to extend the line all the way to Dungeness. The very last section of the railway, including Dungeness station, officially opened in early August 1928.

Station Operations Over Time

Dungeness station has been open and running almost continuously since it first started. The only time it was closed was between 1940 and 1947. This closure happened during and just after World War II.

What Makes Dungeness Station Special?

Unique Track Design

Dungeness is one of only a few stations in England that has a "balloon loop." Imagine a giant loop of track that goes around in a circle. This special design lets trains turn around without needing to unhook the engine or use a special spinning platform called a turntable. The train can simply drive around the loop and end up facing the right way to go back.

Station Facilities

The station has several useful facilities for visitors. These include two places where you can buy tickets, a shop, and a large cafeteria and restaurant. There are also toilets and a waiting area to keep you dry.

For the steam trains, there is a water tower. This tower provides water for the steam locomotives to run.

Platforms and Changes

For a long time, Dungeness station had only one main platform made of concrete. However, during busy summer times, trains would sometimes use a second track called a "run-round loop" even though it didn't have a proper platform.

Since 2017, a second proper platform surface has been added. This makes it easier for passengers to get on and off trains, especially when more than one train is at the station.

Recent Renovations

In October 2015, the station was temporarily closed for a big rebuilding project. The plan was to finish the work by Easter 2016. However, the company hired for the job ran into problems and stopped working after tearing down the old buildings.

A new company took over the work just before Christmas 2015. By late January 2016, most of the new foundations were finished.

The station officially reopened for Easter 2016. For a short time, a special old London bus, a Routemaster (RML2360), was used as a temporary ticket office and souvenir shop. This bus had been changed into an exhibition vehicle, so it was perfect for the job. The rebuilding work at Dungeness station was fully completed in May 2016.

Photogallery

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  A driver oiling his engine at Dungeness

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  No.5 Hercules leaving Dungeness

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  Diesels no.14 and PW2 on a service train at Dungeness

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  A nearby cottage in Dungeness "village"