Twyford Waterworks, Hampshire
5th June 2005

A first visit to the fledgling narrow gauge industrial railway project at Twyford Waterworks Trust, Hampshire. Headed by the Feldwick Family, their private collection of i/c locos and rolling stock have finally been brought out of many years storage. Work at present is centred around a set of limekilns, expanding the original basic handworked system. Chalk was excavated in the Waterwork's own quarry and burnt in the kilns, producing lime for water softening purposes.

An extensive yet authenic system is at the planning stages, linking the limekilns on the upper site with the quarry and pumping station on the lower site via the original incline.

The upper system will remain the home of the Feldwick's nicely restored Listers, ideal for the lightweight nature of the trackwork, whilst the lower system, when constructed will be home to the family's ex Leighton Buzzard Motor Rail and Hoo Ness Hibberd Planet. A wonderful location with a promising future.

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A general view of the Waterworks buildings from the upper level.
A general view of the Waterworks buildings from the upper level.
 A general view of the limekilns area, the current centre of activity for the narrow gauge industrial railway project.
A general view of the limekilns area, the current centre of activity for the narrow gauge industrial railway project.
 The Feldwick's two Listers on the newly laid track. The door in the building in the distance accesses the kiln charging floor and the water-powered incline to the lower site.
The Feldwick's two Listers on the newly laid track. The door in the building in the distance accesses the kiln charging floor and the water-powered incline to the lower site.
 The two Listers parked up, the site of the tin building behind will become a small loco shed in due course.
The two Listers parked up, the site of the tin building behind will become a small loco shed in due course.
Lister w/n 3961 of 1931 as restored by Graham Feldwick and his family.
Lister w/n 3961 of 1931 as restored by Graham Feldwick and his family.
 Diesel Lister w/n 42494 of 1956 with an Allens of Tipton 'Ezeetip' pattern skip.
Diesel Lister w/n 42494 of 1956 with an Allens of Tipton 'Ezeetip' pattern skip.
 Another view of the diesel Lister.
Another view of the diesel Lister.
 Ex. Southampton Power Station skips, these were already at Twyford before the industrial railway project started.
Ex. Southampton Power Station skips, these were already at Twyford before the industrial railway project started.
Only a hundred yards or so of track have been laid at present, the limekiln buildings are located just behind the camera.
Only a hundred yards or so of track have been laid at present, the limekiln buildings are located just behind the camera.
 Interesting to see one of the 12
Interesting to see one of the 12" gauge Sylvasprings/Vitacress wagons preserved. A number of watercress beds at Bere Regis had these small hand-worked lines laid alongside to aid the movement of crates of freshly cut watercress.
 A closer view of the kilns, trackwork in the foreground follows the alignment of the orginal handworked system and was replicated some years ago.
A closer view of the kilns, trackwork in the foreground follows the alignment of the orginal handworked system and was replicated some years ago.
 A siding alongside the kilns leads through a doorway onto the raised coal tipping dock.
A siding alongside the kilns leads through a doorway onto the raised coal tipping dock.
Inside the doorway an ex. Southampton Power Station skip stands.
Inside the doorway an ex. Southampton Power Station skip stands.
 Another ex. Southampton skip is used to demonstrate the partially relaid water-powered incline.
Another ex. Southampton skip is used to demonstrate the partially relaid water-powered incline.
 A view down the incline to the lower site and chalk quarry. This incline will eventually link the two levels.
A view down the incline to the lower site and chalk quarry. This incline will eventually link the two levels.
 The base of the incline, painted lines were added some years ago to give an idea of the original alignment of the handworked system.
The base of the incline, painted lines were added some years ago to give an idea of the original alignment of the handworked system.
Inside the boiler house some track still surives, along with this tiny 2ft gauge weighbridge (more like scales!).
Inside the boiler house some track still surives, along with this tiny 2ft gauge weighbridge (more like scales!).
 The feldwicks other two i/c locos parked on a temporary length of track in the quarry.
The feldwicks other two i/c locos parked on a temporary length of track in the quarry.
 Ex. Leighton Buzzard Motor Rail 20/28hp plate frame w/n 7374 of 1939 'Ayala'.
Ex. Leighton Buzzard Motor Rail 20/28hp plate frame w/n 7374 of 1939 'Ayala'.
 Ex. D.O.E. Hoo Ness Hibberd Planet w/n 3983 of 1962. Both locos are normally kept in the container behind.
Ex. D.O.E. Hoo Ness Hibberd Planet w/n 3983 of 1962. Both locos are normally kept in the container behind.
More rolling stock stored in the quarry area.
More rolling stock stored in the quarry area.
© 1998-2009 James Smith - All copyrights rest with the Author
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