Hampton & Kempton Waterworks Railway

Finally the Hampton and Kempton Waterworks Railway have signed their lease so they can break out of the small loop:

http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/...eam_railway_get_thumbs_up_to_extend_the_line/

David R

 

Great, they have the agreement to proceed at long last!

Chris

 

Bumping this thread in the hope that someone can give an update on this railway close to my childhood home.....

Sent from my SM-A202F using Tapatalk

 

Would like to visit for first time in 2020.
Their website (like a lot of small railways) has not been updated but on facebook they put "We are now closed until March next year, apart from our pre booked Santa specials. We would like to thank everyone who visited this year. This year has been our most successful year to date. Next year steam will return to Kempton and we hope to see you all again in March."
The privately owned steam loco has been away for 2 years getting an overhaul.
On facebook there are some photos of the track now under the a316 and over the aquaduct. In 2020 they have a good chance of laying a long section of track over the historical route, which unusually in greater London/Surrey does not seem to have any planning permission issues, but might be while till they get any safety issues sorted before opening to the public?.
The Hampshire NR society made a good donation of various items.
In the long term guess they will want to get a new build of one of the origanal locos?
Overall looks like the railway is doing well.

 

I believe that an individual is considering a new build of one of the original engines. At on of the Big Engine steaming w/es he had a show of drawings etc.
Pat

 

Bad news will not reopen on 21st
Good news
Hampton Kempton Waterworks Railway (HKWR)has secured a grant to build a Coach Shed to house and maintain their 1903 locomotive and other heritage rolling stock. The project is part of a major £1.8 million fundraising scheme to restore the original industrial railway that ran from the Thames at Hampton to Kempton Waterworks pumping stations that played such a vital part in suppling clean drinking water to London in the early 20th century.

 

Sounds great - what's the design of the shed?

 

video of the new shed

 

That'd be quite something. Those were impressive beasties and quite unique. Perhaps my memory is getting dodgy in my old age, but wasn't there some tale of a mystery 'unused loco name' back on the old line?

For those who've never seen one, this is what Kerr Stuart built, to the design of the Waterworks' engineer:

[Image lifted from flickr.com, original credit unknown]

 

The engines were named Hampton, Kempton and Sunbury. There was a rumour of a fourth engine called Hurst which is another local place name. I first heard this story in the 1970s when I lived in the area and researched this railway. Even then it sounded like a piece of enthusiast's fantasy to "complete the set" and I don't think any evidence has ever been found.

 

another photo from https://web.archive.org/web/2013123...ptonrailway.org.uk/locos_files/locopuffer.jpg original credit unknown

 

Better quality photos of the original locos at: https://webblocos.co.uk/gallery/the-original-locomotives

 

I have just had a look at Webb locos site as linked above, and these guys appear to be serious about a new-build.

As we all know, the right way to do this is to start with the front buffer beam, then the nameplate, then stop work and think about the livery.

Webb locos have taken a different approach. They have bought the original drawings, cast the wheel centres, roughed out the axles and cut the frames. They seem to be a small team, but maybe they know what they are doing and are just getting on with it . I am impressed.

One to watch.

 

Nah! First you have to buy the latest Hornby catalogue and start a Farsebook page. That's the way to do it - if in doubt ask Stuart for advice.
Ray.

 

looking more and they have a good Facebook page with updates
Hornby so far are not into narrow gauge model locos, but there is a 009 body kit https://www.roxeymouldings.co.uk/product/297/4lok3-hampton-kerr-stuart-0-4-2t/

 

Many thanks to you for flagging this project. I recall reading it was an aspiration, but didn't know it's now underway. Reading some of the loco's features, it seems a lot of thought was put into creating a machine completely suited to it's working environment.

The first time I became aware of this trio was an outline (modelmaker's) 16mm/ft drawing in the 'Merioneth Mercury', where it was one of the most substantial locos ever to feature! To my eye, this was a most aesthetically pleasing design and the unexpected news we're now probably going to see one for real is excellent.

It'll be interesting to compare this build with Blyth and '1863' Mountaineer. You'd have to expect this one to come in closer to the 3ft gauge 'Sharpie' than the 'England', itself larger than North Bay's 'Sipat' and 'Decaulville' new builds, but less than the Gowrie recreation (a much larger machine).