HAMPTON & KEMPTON WATERWORKS RAILWAY LIMITED
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Company Number 08428299
Registered Charity Number 1166913
www.hamptonkemptonrailway.org.uk
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HAMPTON & KEMPTON WATERWORKS RAILWAY LIMITED
Trustees’ report for year ended 31 December 2024
Company Structure, Governance and Management
In the 1990's the disused ex-Metropolitan Water Board steam powered water pumping station at Kempton Park was restored to working order by a charity, the Kempton Great Engines Trust (KGET). Since then it has proved a popular historic tourist attraction. The pumping station is on a long lease from Thames Water, the privatised successor to the Metropolitan Water Board, and is surrounded by Thames Water land which extends as far as Hampton and the Kempton Park main-line station which is adjacent to the race course.
When built in 1928 it was coal fired and fuel was brought up from the Thames at Hampton by an existing narrow-gauge railway. Although the railway was closed and dismantled in the 1940's, significant parts of the original route through Thames Water land remained largely undeveloped, so in 2003 KGET members amongst others decided that restoring the railway to Hampton was feasible and would add considerably to the attraction of the Kempton Park site. The Metropolitan Water Board Railway Society (MWBRS) was formed to progress this project and although independent was strongly supported by the KGET who allowed use of part of their leased land to construct an initial demonstration circuit now called the ‘Hanworth Loop’.
This was opened in May 2013 and for legal reasons a limited company, the Hampton & Kempton Waterworks Railway Ltd (HKWR) was set up to construct and operate the line. Charitable status was achieved in 2016 which meant that HKWR Company Directors also became Charity Trustees.
The MWBRS continues as a support organisation and the HKWR trustees have given the society responsibility for all aspects of construction and operation. All work is performed by volunteers, there being no paid staff. The trustees provide oversight and strategic direction to ensure the railway achieves its charitable objectives. To this end they meet regularly with representatives from the MWBRS who report on progress and other matters such as Health and Safety.
As the trustees are also directors, the HKWR being a Limited Company, they are also required to comply with both company and charity law.
The Hanworth Loop
The early acquisition of a steam locomotive on long-term lease from a volunteer meant that most trains could be steam hauled from the opening. This remains the case today and the railway’s early popularity was in large part due to the attraction of steam. Although the ‘Hanworth Loop’ is quite short this does mean that trains can be operated frequently giving many opportunities for volunteers to become fully trained in running a preserved railway.
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Since opening more rolling stock has been gradually acquired and the infrastructure has been improved culminating in a Heritage Railway Association award in 2023 for our new carriage shed entirely assembled on site by volunteers.
Like other attractions the railway closed during the Covid epidemic but survived without any government assistance. Since the reopening in 2021 passengers and revenue have recovered and have steadily increased following a decision to concentrate on running popular special events such as ‘Halloween Ghost Night’ and ‘Santa Specials’. Annually, before depreciation, a small operating surplus is produced which is used to maintain and improve the infrastructure.
Building the Mainline
Once the ‘Hanworth Loop’ was shown to be operating successfully and financially viable, attention turned to the real goal of rebuilding the line to Hampton.
A lease for the proposed route was needed before construction could begin. As the freeholder, Thames Water had already agreed in principle to this. However it was not possible to use all the original formation because parts had been used for various purposes by Thames Water and its predecessors. All this took time since Thames Water needed to ensure that the proposed route would not interfere with their future development plans. Nevertheless significant sections of the original formation were available and a route using as much as possible was agreed with Thames Water and a lease signed in 2018.
Planning including a detailed survey started together with preparations for the various consents required from the three councils involved, Hounslow, Richmond and Spelthorne, together with environmental authorities. The most important of these was the necessity to obtain planning permission from the councils.
Work was brought to a halt during the COVID epidemic and lockdown during which the railway closed for over a year.
Once work restarted it became obvious that parts of the agreed route needed changes because of poor ground conditions. Preliminary discussions with Hounslow Council while positive also revealed that an extended car-park would be needed to satisfy HM Government regulations before planning permission could be granted. Together with the discovery that parts of the leased route had also been previously leased to the Kempton Great Engines Trust meant that changes to the lease would be required.
By the end of 2022 Thames Water had verbally agreed to the route changes requested and to the provision of an area suitable for car parking.
2024 Developments
The current operation based on the ‘Hanworth Loop’ continued successfully and both turnover and operating surplus increased significantly. However, once again progress on expanding the railway was hampered by the financial difficulties of Thames Water which at the end of the year showed no sign of being resolved.
Work on preparing the complex planning application continued and in the course of this the objectives of the HKWR were reviewed. Originally the objectives of the HKWR were entirely about restoring the narrow gauge railway to Hampton but it has become apparent that a route to Kempton Park (GBR) station would also be feasible
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allowing much improved public transport access to the Kempton Park site. It was decided that the planning application would cover this option and that the HKWR objectives should be brought into line. Therefore the objectives were revised and accepted by the Charity Commission and registered with Companies House.. This gives flexibility once construction begins although priorities have not yet been agreed.
On the ground apart from routine operations and maintenance the main activity has been the construction of an extension to the volunteer built ticket office. Once again it was constructed entirely by volunteers from a kit of parts and provides an essential multi-purpose facility for meetings, display and training use.
Outlook for 2025
The planning application will be submitted in early 2025 but because of its complex nature and involvement of three local councils, it is expected that several months will elapse before approval is given.
As there is also no immediate prospect of Thames Water’s problems being resolved, it has been decided to increase the attraction of the existing ‘Hanworth Loop’. A dual gauge miniature railway is proposed to run in parallel and the first stage is planned to be operation by the middle of 2025.
Trustees
The following served as trustees during 2024
| First Elected | Name | Last Elected | Attendance 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | David Lewis | May 2024 | 8/8 |
| May 2021 | Bernard Chorley | September 2023 | 8/8 |
| May 2021 | Colin Clode | September 2023 | 7/8 |
| June 2014 | Robert Leadbetter | September 2023 | 6/8 |
| March 2013 | Nick Reynolds | July 2022 | 0/3 |
| April 2024 | Jim Castle | April 2024 | 3/5 |
| April 2024 | Les Munckton | April 2024 | 5/5 |
| March 2013 | Ray Marie | July 2022 | 4/8 |
| November 2022 | Linda Roberts | November 2022 | 8/8 |
A. Eaton acted as Company/Trust secretary throughout the year.
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None of the Trustees was paid any remuneration or personal expenses during the year.
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Financial Activity
Statement for the period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024
| Notes | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (see | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Income | b l | ) | ||
| Incoming resources | 1 | £45,977 | £38,122 | |
| Donations & grants | 2 | £30,742 | £10,003 | |
| Trading income | £76,719 | £48,125 | ||
| Expenditure | ||||
| Trading costs | 3 | £55,095 | £37,674 | |
| Depreciation | £18,758 | £20.604 | ||
| Total expenditure | £73,853 | £58,277 | ||
| Balance (income-expenditure) | £2,865 | -£10,152 | ||
| Funds at start of year | £175,590 | £185,742 | ||
| Total at end of year | £178,458 | £175,590 |
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Notes to the accounts
| 1 Incoming resources Passengers Miscellaneous 2 Donations & grants Grants Gift Aid Donations 3 Costs Estate improvements Events Fuel Insurance Mainline development Maintenance of coaches Maintenance of estates Maintenance of locomotives Maintenance of mobile equipment Maintenance of PW Maintenance of wagons Management Membership fees Major equipment New carriage shed Operations Promotion Recruitment & retention Restoration of coaches Restoration of locomotives Restoration of wagons Safety Site security Ticket office Training Site shared costs Other |
2024 £44,713 £1,264 £45,977 £0 £2,368 £28,374 £30,742 £19,180 £1,338 £2,809 £6,210 £0 £120 £634 £343 £244 £69 £114 £383 £637 £3,858 £0 £2,700 £2,959 £970 £0 £1,250 £457 £250 £88 £8,729 £0 £1,335 £416 £55,095 |
2023 £29,884 £8,238 |
|---|---|---|
| £38,122 | ||
| £0 £926 £9,077 |
||
| £10,003 | ||
| £1,587 £6,472 £2,096 £5,248 £2,308 £67 £325 £3,363 £477 £947 £1,285 £170 £0 £0 £2,363 £2,367 £0 £0 £740 £260 £736 £36 £5,714 £552 £561 |
||
| £37,674 |
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Balance Sheet
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed assets and WIP | £94,359 | £105,946 |
| Cash in hand and at bank | £75,847 | £61,958 |
| Prepayments | £2,995 | £2,295 |
| Shop stock | £3,795 | £3,382 |
| Debtors | £3,356 | £4,399 |
| Gift Aid not yet received | £0 | £1,305 |
| Creditors | -£1,897 | -£3,695 |
| Total assets at year end | £178,45 | £175,590 |
| 6 |
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Reserves Policy
The company is building up reserves of £10.000 for major work on its steam locomotive due in 2029. The reserve currently stands at £7,000 and there is also an operating reserve of a further £8,000.
Employees
There were no paid employees during the year.
Small Companies Exemption
For the financial year ending 31 December 2024, the company was entitled to exemption under Section 477 of the Companies Act relating to small companies. No members have required the Company to have an audit of its accounts for the year in question under section 476 of the Act. The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act in relation to accounting records and for the preparations of accounts. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
Independent Examiner’s Report
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charitable company, the Hampton & Kempton Waterworks Railway Limited, for the year ending 31 December 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity’s trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect, the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of the accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as par of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed Date
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Name John Morson
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signature
Full name Anthony Eaton
Position Company Secretary
Date 10 September 2025
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