From The Illustrated London News, February 3, 1849, courtesy of Bryan Woodriff: ‘This holiday railway is now completed and was opened for traffic on Thursday. It is but a mile and a half in length and branches from off the South-Western line, thirteen miles from the metropolis or a mile beyond the Kingston station. It consists nearly of one continuous line of embankment, eighteen feet in height, graduating from the main line until it crosses the river Mole and reaches level ground close to the foot of Hampton Bridge. Our view shows the Hampton station a not unpicturesque structure in the old English style of deep red brick with stone dressings. Thence across the bridge to the palace is less than five minutes’ walk; so that notwithstanding several stoppages you may reach Hampton Court from the Waterloo station in less than three quarters of an hour. This new branch is expected to be a lucrative addition to the main line, since it appears from the government returns, that 178,000 persons annually visit Hampton Court Palace. There are to be five trains a day from the Waterloo Station and an equal number back, including one parliamentary or penny a mile train. Apart from this convenience, the scenery of this short branch has some fine bits of landscape with occasional glimpses of the river and the massive palace. Hence we have speed and the enjoyment of pleasing country combined in this new accommodation.’