The cost of transporting and handling this amount of coal from the wharves at Hampton to the Kempton pumping station was significant.
Coal was brought to Hampton by barge, loaded into a large hopper by a high level crane, and then taken by the railway, in tipper wagons, to the pumping houses.
They were painted a lined dark green livery, with much polished brasswork, including the prominent dome cover.
The Metropolitan Water Board Railway Society was formed with a view to the complete restoration of the line, to provide a visitor attraction.
The historic steam pumping station and museum at Kew Bridge features an extensive display of photographs and some artefacts from the Metropolitan Water Board Railway.