Ramsgate Tunnels to host model railway exhibition

Model railway layouts at Ramsgate Tunnels

Ramsgate Tunnels will once again resound to the sound of trains, but not those leviathans of a bygone age that bought hordes of holidaymakers through the Victorian Tunnel to Ramsgate’s sands.

This time they will be miniature replicas showing life in a small scale as the proud model makers display 12 layouts ranging from The Docklands Light Railway to sleepy branch lines in the Kentish countryside. There’s a rumour that even a model Thomas may appear with some of his friends from Sodor.

The model railway exhibition takes place on Saturday, June 18. Entrance to the exhibition in the Tunnels is free and will be open from 10am to 4pm. There will also be a chance to buy railway souvenirs or even bag a bargain or two from the sales stands. And of course, the famous ‘Tunnels Teas’ will be open for cake and coffee.

There will also be two special railway tunnel tours allowing those taking part to follow the route of the Ramsgate Tunnel Railway as far as the blocked portal that once allowed the electric trains to reach Hereson Road.

Tickets for these special railway tours and the normal explorer tours of the famous wartime air raid tunnels are available to book and buy from www.ramsgatetunnels.org

7 Comments

  1. I would be interested to know if, in fact, ‘electric’ trains ever did run through the Tunnel? I would have thought the line was blocked off in the days when steam was still King.

    • I remember travelling on the electric train to Hereson road from the sea front when I was a child.
      A petrol station is there now in Hereson road

    • The tunnel became redundant when the main line to Ramsgate Sand station closed in 1926.
      In 1936, a narrow-gauge track was laid, with locos using electricity drawn from overhead lines via a trolley pole.
      This tourist attraction ran, with the exception of the war years, until 1965.
      As a small boy, one of the highlights of the year was being taken to the station at the Dumpton Park end and experiencing the thrill as the train set off down the steep incline.
      It made a wonderful noise, amplified by the fabulous tunnel acoustics.
      Such simple pleasures!

  2. What a shame it is only on for one day. I have grandchildren who will be visiting in the summer holidays and would have loved to take them to see this.

    • Hi Jane, I expect the Hornby site will still be open! (And the Tunnels, Caves, Grotto) and Drapers Windmill is free!

  3. like Glynn, I remember riding from Hereson road down to the beach, with all the lights and comic characters on the walls. always wondered how they managed to fill such a big hole and then put a petrol station on top. Jane the tunnels themselves are open

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