| Waterworks Railway |
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Many Victorian waterworks had their own railway. At Kew Bridge this is demonstrated by a short line featuring the "Wren" class locomotive Thomas Wicksteed, which is typical of a waterworks engine. This locomotive was completed in 2009 and is currently the newest working steam locomotive in the United Kingdom. Also featured is Alister, a 3 cylinder Lister diesel locomotive of 1957.
The museum's railway is inspired by the Hampton to Kempton Park coal railway built and operated by the Metropolitan Water Board between 1916 and 1946. Coal was delivered by barge to the MWB wharf on the river Thames at Hampton and moved by three steam locomotives to the boilerhouses of the Hampton and Kempton Park waterworks.
The engines were built by the Kerr Stuart Locomotive Company and were named Hampton, Kempton and Sunbury. None of the engines have survived, but Kew Bridge Steam Museum has one locomotive headlamp and shunter's lantern in its collections. Some of the trackwork is now incorporated in the museum's demonstration line. We also have an extensive photo collection of the lines at Hampton and Kempton Park. The railway runs each Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from April to October (except June) and also on Special Events days throughout the year. Please see our Special Events listings for full details of our public running days.
For those visitors who are keen to learn how a steam locomotive works, we can now offer exclusive Footplate Experience Days, when you can learn how to look after and drive the only steam locomotive in London. Prices start at £45 for a one hour session, rising to £75 for a half day experience. Full details and booking information is available in our Online Shop.
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