Return to waterworks for railway locomotive in 80 years – but in miniature!
ON June 11, a Metropolitan Water Board locomotive returned to Hampton Waterworks for the first time in nearly 80 years – although the 0-4-2TT in question was a 7 ¼in gauge miniature version.
As reported in last issue’s Next Stop column, the miniature version of the original 2ft gauge Kerr Stuart works No. 2367 Kempton is owned by enthusiast Alex Alder, who also owns 16in Hunslet 0-6-0T No. 1589 Newstead on the Spa Valley Railway, and is based on one of the locomotives that originally ran the private works’ railway until 1947.
The visit was arranged as part of the gala day – the line’s first in three years – that took place at the Hampton and Kempton Waterworks Railway, which saw the line’s 0-4-0ST Andrew Barclay No.984 Darent operate alongside diesels Hunslet No. 52 Spelthorne
and Hibberd No. 3787 Planet.
There were also model railways, live miniature steam displays, and guided tours of the carriage shed.
Kempton ran with ex-Beer Heights Light Railway carriage No.18 Aries giving rides along a short stretch of temporary track outside the main waterworks building.
Organiser Josh Webb said: “The HKWR’s first gala for three years went very successfully.
“We started off the day with double-headed diesels before switching to Planet running solo
– these were the first passenger services it has hauled – before switching to Darent at lunchtime.
“Our new carriage shed was open with model railways displayed in it, and our six-ton Ransom and Rapier crane was also on display.”
A new-build project is currently underway to construct a replica of the original 2ft gauge locomotive design to run on the museum railway.
For more information on this project, visit www.webblocos. co.uk