The Dockyard Railway

30/08/2022

Have you ever wanted to drive a historic locomotive? For the first time at Salute to the ’40s we’re offering you a very special opportunity to climb up on the footplate and take one of our diesel locomotives down the track, for just £5.

Please note: This experience is pre-book only and spaces are limited. There is a small additional charge and it is not included in your Salute to the ’40s ticket. You must have a valid ticket for Salute to the ’40s 2022 to participate in this experience.

Book your tickets for this event and locomotive experience on the 10-11 September: https://bit.ly/32APAyt

20/08/2022

Only but a couple of weeks ago Terri became the Dockyard's first qualified female driver in history, today we had the pleasure of Yolande passing her assessment to become the next Drivers Assistant/ Shunter along side Terri.

Terri and Yolande have done a lot of training together and have inspired each other to become the first female locomotive crew in history, both ladies had the greatest of pleasure in achieving this dream today.

Both Yolande and Terri will be out on locomotives at the upcoming railway children event on the 26th and 27th August, however will join forces and will provide the starting whistle welcome to this years 1940s event with our very own 1940s War Department locomotive Overlord in September.

We as a railway Wish both ladies well and a very enjoyable railway career.

04/08/2022

Meet Volunteer Terri Ann

Last weekend she made history on the Dockyard Railway, by becoming the first recorded female to attain her Driver's ticket.

Well done Terri Ann, and here's to many more ladies taking up the footplate!

28/07/2022

Here's Neal Short, one of our Railway Volunteers who helps look after our historic locomotives, telling us why the railway is so special. Come along to the Dockyard this weekend (30 & 31 July) for our next Railway Weekend, all included in your entry ticket to the Dockyard. Find out more: https://thedockyard.co.uk/whats-on/railway-day/

06/06/2022

78 years ago, shortly after D-Day, one of our engines was pressed into military service in France. Being dragged up the beaches of Normandy.
Now part of the Royal Engineers Museum collection, maintained and operated by the volunteers of the CHDR, 'Overlord' can be seen running on our little line hauling trains.
The bell on the front of the loco bears an inscription, dedicating the locomotive to the memory of the railwaymen who gave their lives in the conflict.

25/05/2022

Our First Qualified Female Railway Volunteer - Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust

Meet Terri Short, a Driver’s Assistant Shunter Volunteer for the Chatham Historic Railway. Terri is the first qualified female to volunteer on the Railway. The Dockyard Trust Media Team caught up with her whilst the team were hard at work restoring Rochester Castle.

Meet Terri Short, a Driver's Assistant Shunter Volunteer for the Chatham Historic Railway. Terri is the first qualified female to volunteer on the

21/04/2022

Some may be aware our Rochester Castle has been missing for a few months, this is because she is having a major overhaul including the engine.

Yesterday was the first time since November she has been off the lift blocks after the frame was completed and transmission boxes, with the new colour showing on the bufferbeam of what will be applied.

Rochester castle is being returned to as close to original condition as possible, I won’t give away all the details but watch out in the coming months of a full return to service of RC.

A few pictures from yesterdays trip around site to collect the drive chains

05/03/2022

We attended the HOPS road show today meeting many other railway team members, HOPS has helped the railway over the last 18 months with the facilities HOPS offers.

18/10/2021

Great day had with HOPS, we have moved on so much with the help of hops.

23/09/2021

By request many shots of the re-wire that took place on Thalia, we have all but 4 wires left to do which are main power cables but will be done in time.

As can be seen lots of time went into this

23/09/2021

Thalia was out shopped last weekend for the 40s event, she has spent a good time being refurbished to include a full rewire and return to base metal and repaint.

As can be seen lots of fine details have been added this time around, with the final few details to be done when the paint is hard

17/04/2021

A minute silence as a mark of respect for HRH Prince Philip who sadly passed away.

The occasion is marked in front of the Naval Destroyer Memorial, a nod to the Duke of Edinburgh's Naval Career, and Ajax showing the Royal Train and all flags on site flying at half mast

23/10/2020

When you see pictures with locomotives running around with no doors and a pallet full of tools it’s got to be a bad day at work.

This was a few pictures taken yesterday of routine maintenance tasks and running repairs being carried out, to make sure our locomotives all remain reliable for all to enjoy.

Tasks were carried out on Ajax, Thalia and Overlord, which are all expected to be out running this Sunday, Monday and Tuesday coming.

Why not come along and see us running with our demonstration freight train, speak with the volunteers and see what the railway is all about.

Please stay safe out and about if on site in line with current Covid guidelines.

12/07/2020

The War Department Loco that's been all over the world! - Lawrie Goes Loco Episode 18

For those of you who always wanted to know more about our locomotive Overlord, the guys at Lawrie's Mechanical Marvels visited us back in Januarary and have made this excellent and informative video. Why not take a look!

Hello good people of the internets, This video is sponsored by The Forge Simulation - who make the stunning BR 50 pack for Train Simulator. Have a look at th...

18/03/2020

*Announcement*

Due to the national health warnings, the Historic Dockyard Trust have closed the site for the foreseeable future. This includes the Railway.

We will therefore not be running trains this weekend, or any other scheduled operating dates until the Trust opens the site.

https://thedockyard.co.uk/covid19/

15/02/2020

The first time in many years two trains have operated in this fashion at the dockyard, with both trains running end to end and alternating which leads and locos it’s been a good day.
All part of crew training for the upcoming season.
Taken 15-02-2020

05/02/2020

Small shunt around with a couple of wagons not often seen, Flat wagon due to to be put in 3 slip in next couple of weeks.

21/09/2019

Today saw the first public use of WD42 now carrying number 70042, in its new war department green livery.
6 long weeks it took the guys at the yard to turn her into this beautiful engine, what a great tribute to the 75th anniversary to the Normandy landings.

Credit to all turning her out in such a splendid condition, removed fresh from the shed/paint shop yesterday.

photographed around the yard today.

07/04/2019

What more can you do on a cold and wet Sunday morning??!

Obviously cook breakfast for the crew for the day, a taste like no where else.

Why not come along and visit us whilst we operate over Easter Sunday and Monday, with both steam and diesel locomotives out and our demonstration freight train.

08/02/2019

It is with great sadness that today we say goodbye to one of the biggest characters of the crew. Bill passed away after a battle with cancer, with all his family around him.

Family, friends, and all who knew him will be joining us this afternoon to celebrate his life, with RSH 7042 'AJAX' in steam in his honour.

Bill Hedges 1950-2019.

16/09/2018

A PHOTO CHARTER AT THE CHATHAM HISTORIC DOCKYARD RAILWAY WITH RSH 0-4-0ST 'AJAX' - 7th July 2018

We just found this excellent video of a recent photo charter and thought you would all like to see it.

If you fancy grabbing some shots like these our next running weekend is the 20th and 21st October.

A photo charter at the Chatham Historic Dockyard Railway with RSH 0-4-0ST Ajax on 7th July 2018.

18/08/2018

Live from the scene of today’s undertakings, one of our routine training days to ensure all our railway staff are up to the highest of standards.

If you think you would enjoy this why not get in contact, come and visit us and try for yourself and volunteer

08/07/2018

The commemorative bell on Overlord shining in the sunshine this morning.

The inscription reads

OVERLORD
1944 - 1994

This locomotive is dedicated to the memory of allied railwaymen who gave their lives for the liberation of Europe

Presented by the
HUNSLET ENGINE COMPANY
1994

07/07/2018

The weather is glorious today, why not come see us before the match?

It's ! A unique dockyard railway in its original setting that retains much of it’s original rolling track. Running continuously since Victorian Times. https://bit.ly/2KUNKNF

17/06/2018

This Father's day we have three of our locos out, here Ajax is raising steam, with Overlord and Rochester Castle waiting by the shed.

Why not come down and say hi? Or treat that special dad to a spot of watching the trains go by?

18/05/2018

So yesterday we spent a few hours working on the track to try and push it forward.

With the help of a couple of jacks, few spanners and a few other tools we were able to re-bolt all the rails back together.
This was a major achievement in the project.

Next task is to finishing getting the sleepers re-clamped to the rails, and then ballast out in and await tamping.

What lovely weather it was as well

06/05/2018

Ajax is ready for the days working, with Overlord taking the other end.

Why not pop down and see us on this glorious sunny day?

03/05/2018

24/04/2018

A little spot of planned preventative maintenance on 'Rochester Castle's this week with all new coolant hoses throughout the engine compartment.

Well done to those who carried out the work.

06/04/2018

A various amount of shots from easter Monday running day at the railway.

Weather wasn’t so bad, turnout was great, and always great to see so many pictures appearing.

Next running dates - 5th and 6th may

05/04/2018

Some excellent shots of one of our crew, taken on Sunday at the Dockyard by Ben O'Brien

02/04/2018

Live from the scene of warming up, ready for today’s festivities.

Rochester castle providing diesel traction with a coal fire I may well add.

And ajax the resident steam engine.

Why not pop along and see us as we operate the demonstration freight train

20/03/2018

The Dockyard Railway :: Operating Schedules

Our 2018 dates are now available on our web site, who is coming to see us this year?

Operations normally consist of a locomotive-hauled rake of wagons hauled through the Dockyard by locomotives from our fleet. Savour the atmosphere of train working-a bonus for photographers too!

18/03/2018

A cold and snappy morning warming up ajax for the annual assessments, all ready for easter weekend.

25/12/2017

Last few for this year

25/12/2017

Photos from The Dockyard Railway's post

30/11/2017

The Dockyard Railway

Our thanks to Jez of the trust staff, who has cleaned up, painted and refitted a new point operating handle on the line. Replacing a cast iron example with this steel variant.

30/11/2017

Our thanks to Jez of the trust staff, who has cleaned up, painted and refitted a new point operating handle on the line. Replacing a cast iron example with this steel variant.

24/11/2017

A few more pictures from today’s goings on at the dockyard.

This just shows how nearly 60years has taken its toll on the track.

I will point out this is a siding and not the main running track, this siding project will bring all our track to a high standard.

It’s amazing as to how much sleeper wasn’t present when we lifted a couple, but surprised how some were still as solid as a rock.

Work continues daily up to and including Monday, so hopefully more pictures to follow

23/11/2017

Just a few shots from an unexpected hour late this afternoon on the track, wasn’t expecting to visit today.

Anyway this shows the continuation at track work part 2 as we call it, so far we have removed one running rail and 2 check rails.

As well as having broken away nearly half the old dock block, not bad for an hours work.

More photos will appear over the weekend of goings on.

With the sad passing of Nigel mentioned in the previous post, we have the greatest of pleasure of using his stock to help the project.
His memory will forever live on at the dockyard and on the Railway.

R.I.P Nigel