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HEADLINE NEWS REPORTS - with links to keep you in touch

May 10th :

The Metropolitan Water Board Railway Society is approaching a significant point in its life. We are nearing the time when we will be operating a service to the public and we need to recruit volunteers to 'staff' the train and the station etc. So for those who have not felt 'strong' enough to construct a railway, but would like to help - your time is approaching! Volunteer NOW!

Of course we still have not finished refurbishment of the necessary rolling stock and we need to maintain the present permanent way of the Hanworth Loop, and in the not-too-distant future we will, we hope, commence construction of the "main-line" to Hampton, so the heavy-gang can't rest on their laurels, or they would be wearing them in the wrong place!.

To volunteer call Robert on 020 8979 5003.

All these advances will also mean some changes in organisation, but these are still under discussion and it is important to get them right for the long-term viability of the Hampton to Kempton Waterworks Railway. Watch this space for further news!"

May 2nd :

On Monday 30th April we had a very important visit from Ian Raxton, Principle Inspector of the Office of Rail Regulation. His visit was very useful. He was very happy with our progress so far, having been shown around the Hanworth Loop both on foot and propelled by Hounslow. He explained that the current requirements were very much in proportion to the extent/speed/weight of the system; there no longer being any "written permission" to operate being required we could 'open' to the public whenever we saw fit, and no further inspection by ORR was required.

The pictures show the group inspecting the recently completed Corral Xing. The second picture shows the inspection of the only point on the main loop line - where Ian explained that point "locking" was not mandatory - we only had to ensure that the point change mechanism was sufficient to ensure that the point blades could not move inadvertently, e.g. under a train."

Ian Raxton is third from the left.

DIARY DATES - Events not to miss :

The next Open day is May 19th/20th. Make sure that it is in your Diary and come along to help if you can, and come and see the completed Hanworth Loop. The later Open Days at The Kempton Park Great Engines for 2012 are: *June 16th/17th*, September 29th/30th, October 20th/21st and November 17th/18th.

* Please Note that the weekend of 16th & 17th June is not-to-be-missed as this has been designated by the Great Engines as "MWB Railway Society Display" and we hope that we will be up-and-running for passengers, at least for members of the MWBRS, by that date - BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL! -

Note the dates carefully and put them in your diary - The railway will be 'on-show' more and more this year, and we will need lots of help on these occasions to maximise publicity and pecuniary opportunities


Introduction :
			The Metropolitan Water Board Railway Society (MWBRS) was set up to restore as much of this line as possible (see Route page), partly to be an extra attraction to visitors to the Kempton Great Engines, partly to transport them there and partly as a stand alone attraction. When completed it will also be able to transport visitors to the Kempton Nature Reserve. Until permission for that is granted we are building the Hanworth Loop (see News) is a field nearby. It is hoped we may be able to extend the Loop to connect with the old route.
	The great pumping engines at Kempton were once connected to the Thames by a narrow gauge (2') railway which could supply the coal and also distribute sand to the filter beds. It connected all the pumping engines at Kempton and Hampton so that they could be supplied from the river or from a standard gauge railway at Kempton via the Shepperton branch. This way advantage could be made of whichever route was cheaper or more convenient at any time. The line was over 3 miles long, was built in 1916 and closed about 1946.


		Our illustration from a painting by Graham Bosworth shows loco “Hampton” during the line’s heyday. It is reproduced by permission *of the owner Alain Foote.*

How To Find Us : The Post Code of the site is TW13 6XH and clicking on the S treetmap link will take you straight to the street plan, though you will need the following information as well : We are located almost under the A316 “Country Way” which is elevated at this point, though note that there is no direct access to the site from that road. The A316 is an eastern extension of the M3 and fortunately the Twin Chimneys of the Kempton Park Pumping Station are a very prominent adjacent landmark. Access to the site is via a driveway off Snakey Lane and through a large security gate (if you have not made arrangements to open the gate try ringing The Kempton Great Engines Trust on 01932 765328). There is also a small gate that may be open on Kempton Great Engines Steaming days giving direct access to the site off the foot/cycle path on the North side of the A316 between Sunbury and Hanworth.
If you are coming to see us and it is NOT an "OPEN DAY" or similar event, then it is essential that you let us know before-hand as you will need assistance to pass the security gate. This applies whatever means of Transport you are using. By Road: If approaching from the south and west on the M3 or A316 take the first slip road off the A316 after the end of the M3 and follow the brown signs – first exit (Sign-Posted to Lower Feltham) off the roundabout under the A316 (Snakey Lane), first exit at next roundabout (Snakey Lane) then next left – following the brown signs. If approaching from the east on the A316 take the slip road off when you see the Twin Chimneys of the Kempton Park Pumping Station on your left, down to the roundabout and take the third exit into Snakey lane, first exit at next roundabout (Snakey Lane), then next left – following the brown signs, as above. If using a “SatNav” please ensure that your directions are via Snakey Lane. By Train: The nearest Network Rail Station is Kempton Park, served by South West Trains, Shepperton Line, out of Waterloo. Turn right out of the station and North (right) on Park Road, and right along the A316. Cross the A316, Country Way by the foot bridge ahead of you, turn right and proceed until you see the Twin Chimneys on your right, there may be a small gate directly to the site open on your right; otherwise proceed to the roundabout under the A316, turn left and follow the Brown Signs. It is a good 20 minute walk, unless the pedestrian gate is open, which halves it. The small gate may be open on Kempton Great Engines Steaming Days for direct access to the site off the foot/cycle path on the north side of the A316 between Sunbury and Hanworth. Normally it is locked except by prior arrangement. By Underground Train: Nearest Station is Hatton Cross on the Piccadilly Line to Heathrow. Alight at Hatton Cross and take the H25 Bus, see below. By Bus: The 290 goes between Twickenham and Staines. Alight at the roundabout (Feltham Junction) under the A 316 and take Snakey Lane to the site following the Brown Signs. The H25 runs from Hatton Cross (Neatest London Underground Station - Piccadilly Line) to Feltham and Hanworth. Get off at the Feltham Junction roundabout and follow the Brown Signs. Don't forget to let us know before-hand as you will need assistance to pass the security gate if it isn't a public open day.
Have you got your MWBRS Regalia? Screen-Printed Hi-Vis Vests, Embroidered Caps, Badges and Sweatshirts now available: see our For Sale/Wanted page.


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