The original 1915 industrial railway could be rebuilt across Thames Water land thanks to a lease agreement this week.

Hampton & Kempton Waterworks Railway is the only passenger steam railway within the M25.

Deputy mayors from Richmond and Hounslow and the Mayor of Spelthorne attended the lease signing ceremony along with the chairman of the railway and CEO of Thames Water, on March 19.

Michael Hamilton, chairman of Hampton & Kempton Waterworks Railway, said: “This landmark event is the culmination of many years of co-operation with Thames Water to gain permission to rebuild the original 1915 industrial railway across their land.

“This extends our already five-year operational loop, enhancing our remarkable heritage railway’s potential as a major attraction for local communities.”

The narrow gauge railway will run 2.6km from Kempton Steam Museum to Hydes Field, Hampton, giving visitors a splendid trip through unspoilt countryside.

Plans are in place to build a visitor and community centre that will provide educational opportunities for local schools and other interested groups.

CEO of Thames Water, Steve Robertson, said: “We’re delighted to be associated with this project and glad that by signing the new lease it can now expand even further.

“…We hope people will continue to enjoy the railway for many years to come.”

Constructed and operated entirely by voluntary effort, Hampton & Kempton Waterworks Railway has been working since 2003 to re-create a historic narrow gauge railway.

Adjacent to Kempton Steam Museum, the industrial railway carried coal from the Thames at Hampton to the Kempton & Hampton water pumping stations between 1915 and 1945.