RH&DR No. 9 Winston Churchill

No.9 Winston Churchill
No.9 'Winston Churchill' at Dungeness Station in April of 2024.
Overview -
Propulsion:	Steam
Loco Type:	Tender Engine
Gauge:	15 in
History -
Name:	Winston Churchill
Designer:	Henry Greenly A. L. S. Richardson
Livery:	RH&DR Red
Sibling Locomotives:	No.10 Dr. Syn
Manufacturing Details:
Builder:	Yorkshire Engine Co.
(b/n) Builder's No.	2294
Build Date:	1931
Service:
Operator:	Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway Co.
Railway:	Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway (RH&DR)
No.	9
Years in Operation:	1931 - Current
Disposition:	Operational
Wheel Arrangement:
Whyte Notation:	4-6-2+T
Axle No.	6
Cylinders:
Cylinders (Bore & Stroke):	5.25 in x 8.5 in
Operation:
Total Weight:	8 Tons.
Dimensions:
Total Length:	8534.4mm (28 ft.)

Winston Churchill is a red 4-6-2 tender steam locomotive.

History

Winston Churchill was built in 1931 by the Yorkshire Engine company for the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch railway but originally ordered and started by the Davey Paxman company. On the 2nd of June in 1931, he broke away from his tender leaving the train near Lade, he eventually came to rest on his side on the loop near Dungeness. He was originally named Dr. Syn but then renamed Winston Churchill (UKs wartime Prime Minister) in 1948 and was sent to Toronto in Canada for an exhibition.

On the 25th of July in 1968 while hauling a double-headed train with Typhoon comprising of 23 coaches, Winston Churchill encored damage to his motion as he was struck by a car at Botolph's crossing. From 1973 to 1979, Winston Churchill burned oil being converted back to coal as oil prices became higher then economically viable. Winston Churchill has returned from overhaul on the 17/3/24 and is now operational, painted in RH&DR red and uses a Crosby whistle acquired from Canada while on display there.

Trivia

• Winston Churchill impressed Sir Nigel Gresley upon his visit to the RH&DR prior to the war.

Gallery

No.9 'Winston Churchill' steaming at Dungeness in August of 2018.