24th July 2022
On Sunday, the temperature having reduced to something more bearable I fancied a trip out, somewhere not too far away and with something interesting to do/see. I have visited the Great Engines at Kempton Waterworks before but on the other side of the M3 there is a more modestly sized bit of engineering heritage.
The Hampton Kempton Waterworks Railway opened during the First World War and was closed and dismantled some 30-odd years later but is planned to rise again if the money can be raised to rebuild it on (mostly) its original three and a half mile route from Hampton Wharf on the Thames to Kempton Waterworks. For the moment what exists is a loop of track and a few sidings, very much like a great big train set, which offers the simple pleasure of a ride on a narrow gauge railway without having to trek all the way down to Wales.
There is one station, Hamworth Halt, with a single platform. This gets a Sunday only service between March and October with three departures an hour between 1030 and 1540.
Here also is the ticket office - although you can and probably should book in advance online - and refreshments kiosk. Fares: £4 for adults 16yrs and over. £2 for children 3 to 15 years (under 3s go free). Each journey trundles around the loop of track three times.
Beside the station is a kids playground and picnic and viewing areas with seats and tables (and parasols thankfully). Car parking is free and located under the M3 motorway flyover right between the railway and Kempton engine house.
There is one train comprising two carriages one of which is wheelchair accessible (including powered chairs I was told) and although basic they are not cramped as this is a 2 foot gauge railway not a model railway. There is enough legroom to put a CrossCountry Voyager to shame although admittedly that’s a low bar :-)
Motive power is provided by Darent an 0-4-0 tank engine originally supplied to Provan Gasworks in Glasgow in 1903 by Andrew Barclay of Kilmarnock. It has had an interesting history and greatly changed in appearance in the years since. They also have a couple of industrial diesel locomotives on site which are probably a lot more convenient for general duties.
I caught the 1220 departure that I had booked in advance expecting it to be busy on such a lovely sunny Sunday but there were only four of us aboard. I remarked on this to the guard who said that it’s sometimes like that, the earlier trains had been busier and indeed the 1240 train pictured above was nearly full so I’d struck lucky.
It was an enjoyable little trip as the video below will confirm and I’d encourage anyone with an hour or two on a Sunday in South West London to go and visit so that eventually the volunteers can restore the line to 2.3 miles through the countryside which will be an even better experience. To succeed they are going to need a lot of £4 fares!
Getting there:
Drive to Sat Nav TW13 7ND or google maps TW13 6XH entry via Thames Water site drive about .75 miles, nearest tube Hatton Cross Piccadilly Line then bus H25, nearest rail Kempton Park about 20-30 minutes walk, buses H25 to Sunbury Way stop VA or 290 to Feltham Junction roundabout then follow the brown signs for the museum.
