Victoria Junior School Visit July 2023
Hampton Kempton Waterworks Railway (HKWR) brings to life the history of steam & coal for local school children!
It was ‘all aboard’ for Year 3 children at Victoria Junior School, Feltham when they visited HKWR and were treated to a steam train ride on the railway’s 1903 heritage steam locomotive ‘Darent’, as part of their history curriculum topic on Transport in the Area.
“Each year group studies a topic which is linked to their cohort or the local area” said Derek Tavey Year 3 Teacher who arranged the visit to the railway and Kempton Steam Museum. “The idea of a visit to HKWR was suggested, and how the children could learn about the history of transportation and the huge changes made over a period of time.”
The railway easily captured the interest of the children with the Station Master Allan and Train Driver David giving a quick chat about the railway’s history and how HKWR’s steam locomotive ‘Darent’ burns coal to produce steam to drive the engine. The children found this particularly fascinating, especially the railway’s supply of coal, which they had not seen before!
“It’s absolutely amazing to have this facility on our doorstep,” commented Ms. Pretty, Year 3 Teacher and Mrs. Seevakreedam, Phase Leader praised the volunteers at HKWR for their enthusiasm and preparation of the visit.
The school is very keen to hold another trip as a regular occurrence and involve even more year groups. Derek Tavey further commented “In linking our learning with the railway and museum we can combine both topics together to plan a series of lessons.”
With such a successful visit from Victoria Junior School, HKWR would very much welcome visits from schools in the area as part of their Community Engagement Project.
For information on school visits
Please contact John Fevyer at email: press@hamptonkemptonrailway.org.uk
HKWR information
In 2003, a group of steam enthusiasts came together with the ambitious idea of restoring an early 20th century industrial steam railway in southwest London, now HKWR. In the early 20th century, the railway played an important part in supplying clean drinking water to London’s population and carried coal from Wharves on the Thames to the great water pumping station at Kempton, now Kempton Steam Museum.
Today, the railway is open every Sunday (and some Saturdays) and operates a ‘Loop’ offering family affordable steam train rides and special events to the local communities. HKWR is entirely managed and operated by volunteers who are dedicated and committed achieving its vision of re-creating this important industrial heritage railway for future generations to enjoy.
Contact: Linda Roberts, Publicity Manager, Hampton Kempton Waterworks Railway, Snakey Lane, Hanworth, TW13 7ND.
Email: press@hamptonkemptonrailway.org.uk m. 07796322463
