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The Who frontman Roger Daltrey to open Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway restaurant and station

Roger Daltrey will open new restaurant and station facilities at the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway today.

The Who frontman, who is a railway enthusiast, will be in Dungeness today to officially cut the ribbon to the railway’s recently upgraded restaurant at the station.

The grand opening will be attended by several other local figures and dignitaries.

Roger Daltrey: recovering from meningitis.
Roger Daltrey: recovering from meningitis.

The End of the Line Restaurant first opened its doors to the public last month, and has already hosted its first wedding reception and the monthly Dungeness Supper Night.

The building replaced the old wooden structure, and visitors have already said it provides better access along with great views across the Dungeness estate.

The old building closed at the end of last summer, so the renovation could start in time for the 2016 season.

But construction hit a setback when contractor Epps went into liquidation before another firm was quickly found to complete the works.

RHDR’s Jade Ashton said: “The railway always strives to continuously improve its facilities for customers, and after the purchase of the Hythe Light Railway Cafe and the opening of the Light Railway Tea Room we decided that the investment would also be useful at Dungeness.

“We are very pleased with it and have received excellent feedback from both railway customers and those just visiting the area of Dungeness.

“We have some small items outstanding just to pretty it up, but we are very pleased to be open.”

A train on the Dungeness, Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. Picture : Gary Browne
A train on the Dungeness, Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. Picture : Gary Browne

Mr Daltrey is already on board with another major railway project in the area.

He is joint patron of the group that is working to create a massive new model-railway centre in Ashford.

He confirmed in 2014 that he was working with multimillionaire businessman Sir William McAlpine – who saved the RHDR from closure in the 1970s – to try and create the Ashford International Model Railway Excellence Centre.

Planning permission has been granted for the centre, and work has been going on to prepare the site.

Diggers have now cleared the former Klondyke Railway Works near Ashford International station.

When it is completed the huge £4 million state-of-the-art centre will be home to 20 permanent layouts and several touring displays.

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