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Two of south west London's best-kept secrets are joining forces for a special celebration involving a vintage steam engine fuelled by poppy power.
Hampton Kempton Waterworks Railway will take visitors on a journey around its picturesque Hanworth Loop track and through 100 years of The Poppy Factory, in celebration of the charity's centenary in Richmond upon Thames.
The historic Darent locomotive, first commissioned in 1903, will be in operation throughout the weekend of September 26 and 27, decked out with poppy wreaths and bouquets for all the carriages, and a cavalcade of historic trains will help mark the occasion.
Guests will hear a specially recorded audio commentary about the story of The Poppy Factory, which has been helping veterans into civilian employment since after the First World War, and see a display of the giant wreaths that are used in Remembrance services each November.
Information boards produced in partnership with the Museum of Richmond will enable visitors to learn more about The Poppy Factory, which was established in the borough in 1926 and now helps over 1,200 veterans and family members around the country each year.
Volunteers from the charity's visitor centre will work alongside the team from Hampton Kempton Waterworks Railway to show guests how to make poppies and offer refreshments, cakes, and limited-edition gifts. All funds raised during the weekend will be split equally between the two charities.
The event will run from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September, with the first passenger train at 10.30am and the last at 3.40pm. Book tickets in advance at bit.ly/steampoppy