RH&DR No.1 Green Goddess

Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway (RH&DR) locomotive No.1 Green Goddess is a 4-6-2 steam locomotive built by Davey Paxman & Co. in 1925 with the works number 15469. It was one of two original locomotives ordered by Captain Howey and Count Louis Zborowski in 1924 and was operational the following year, two years before the railway was completed. The design was based on the LNER A1 class which Flying Scotsman belongs to. Its livery was also based on that of Flying Scotsman. The designing was done by Henry Greenly and the total building cost was £1,250, or around £79,800 in 2021.

RH&DR No.1 Green Goddess
No. 1 'Green Goddess' waits for departure at Dungeness on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. August 2016.
Type and origin Power type Steam Designer Henry Greenly Builder Davey Paxman & Co. Serial number 15469 Model A1/A3 Gresley-style pacific Build date 1925
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-6-2 Leading dia. 12 in (305 mm) Driver dia. 25+1⁄2 in (648 mm) Trailing dia. 12 in (305 mm) Length 27 ft 7 in (8.41 m) Total weight 8 long tons 10 cwt (19,000 lb or 8.6 t) Tender type RH&DR High Capacity Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 550 kg (0.54 long tons; 1,210 lb) Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 5+1⁄4 in × 8+1⁄2 in (133 mm × 216 mm) Valve gear Walschaerts Loco brake Air Train brakes Air
Performance figures Maximum speed 40 mph (64 km/h) (Design max) 35 mph (56 km/h) (In testing) 20–25 mph (32–40 km/h) (in regular service) Tractive effort 3,177lbs
Career Operators Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway Class Pacific Numbers 1 Official name Green Goddess Locale New Romney Delivered 1925 First run 1926 Restored 09/06/2019 Current owner RH&DR Disposition In regular service

While on trial at the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Green Goddess safely reached a top speed of 35 mph (56 km/h). However due to wear on the valve gear and maintenance costs, a regular running speed limit of 25 mph (40 km/h) is observed. During the later half of the 2023 running season, a Stanier 'hooter' style whistle was fitted - a gift from a friend of the railway. It currently runs in an Apple Green livery similar to that of the former Great Northern Railway.

The engine was stored in the New Romney workshops throughout 2018 for repairs and overhaul. Green Goddess returned to service on 9 June 2019 following a period of repair. Subsequently the locomotive has undertaken regular duties ever since, making regular appearances at the railways Gala's every spring and autumn. During these periods it regularly runs non-stop through main stations, such as New Romney & Dymchurch.^[1]