Trains return to Ramsgate Harbour Albeit smaller than before!

Celebrations are being held throughout 2025 to mark the 200th anniversary of Britain’s first railways. Two local model engineering clubs, the Ramsgate Tunnels and Ramsgate Town Council are getting together to bring you a special event on Sunday September 7, 2025 as their contribution to the milestone.

The Canterbury & District Model Engineering Society and their counterparts from the Ramsgate & District Model Engineering Club will be running two ride-on miniature railways on the promenade opposite Ramsgate Tunnels and the site of the former Ramsgate Harbour Station during the day between 10am and 5pm.

In addition, within the tunnels there will be a display of a number of model railways, model railway traders and of course the tunnel’s own display.

It is hoped that a number of miniature traction engines and steam road vehicles will also be on show.

Kevin Piggott of the Canterbury & District Model Engineering Society said “The aim of the event is to generate interest in model engineering in East Kent, engineering in general and model railways, especially in the 200th anniversary year of rail transport. We are doing this with the support of the Ramsgate & District Model Engineering Club, Ramsgate Town Council and a number of our friends connected with model engineering and railways. It seemed appropriate to feature the Ramsgate Tunnels and be on the site of the former Ramsgate Harbour station”.

Ramsgate Harbour railway station opened in 1863 as part of the Kent Coast Railway Company's extension of its line from Herne Bay. It was conveniently situated for the seaside resort's beach, but it closed in 1926 after a reorganisation of railway lines in the Thanet area.

Later in 1936, the narrow-gauge Tunnel Railway was opened within the disused tunnel to connect tourist attractions and shops near Ramsgate Harbour with the new railway main line at Dumpton Park.

It was open for only three years before being converted into an air-raid shelter during World War II. Passenger numbers fell during the 1960s, and the line became uneconomic. Following a train crash in 1965, the owners closed the line at the end of September that year.

The Ramsgate & District Model Engineering Club was formed in 1947 and to this day runs a miniature railway in Ellington Park. Whilst the Canterbury & District Model Engineering Society was formed in 1972 and operates a 750-foot-long, 3.5 and 5-inch gauge miniature railway at Brett’s Quarries, Fordwich near Canterbury.

Admission to the Ramsgate Tunnels is free but there will be a small charge to ride on the miniature railways.

For further information see: www.cdmes.org

Written by:
Chris Davey,
Vice-Chairman of the Canterbury & District Model Engineering Society

Picture captions:
CD1: The Canterbury & District Model Engineering Society portable miniature railway. Picture: Canterbury & District MES.