GWR RailcarTriumphant return to the rails
is within sight
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| After many years of patient dedication, thousands of volunteer hours, and the incredible generosity of our supporters, we are delighted to share that the restoration of historic GWR Railcar W20W at the Kent & East Sussex Railway is now in its final stages.
What began as a long-held dream - to return this pioneering 1940 Great Western Railway diesel railcar to full working order - is now tantalisingly close to reality.
We are therefore delighted to share news of the various stages of the work to date and illustrating the progress made.
Donations to our “20 for 20” Appeal, launched in memory of former K&ESR Director Andrew Webb, combined with the grant from Association for Industrial Archaeology (A.I.A.), have together enabled us to make remarkable progress in the last three years. The project also recently received a very welcome additional boost with a generous new grant from the Trustees of the Colonel Stephens Railway Museum.
Every hour of volunteer labour, every piece of specialist craftsmanship, and every grant and donation - large and small - has been part of this shared success story. |
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 Robertsbridge cab reconstruction in progress |
Recent milestones Over the past year, the following milestones have been reached by the team:- - All mechanical and electrical systems, including the engines, are being tested in preparation for final commissioning.
- The vehicle interior is now virtually complete, featuring new insulation, ceiling panels, renovated lighting, and beautifully restored seats upholstered in new authentic GWR moquette.
- A completely new heating system has been installed, cleverly designed to replicate the original steam heat arrangement but complying with modern regulations.
- Skilled specialists have reconstructed both cabs, one of the most complex and challenging elements of the project.
Only a few final tasks remain - including completing the cab wiring, fitting windscreen glazing and wipers, and final drive-train coupling - before W20W moves into its formal testing and acceptance phases.
When the W20W rejoins the rails, it will mark truly historic moment for the K&ESR and for everyone who has helped make it possible.
|  The large saloon looking resplendent | Looking ahead As we all know, W20W is far more than a restoration project: it represents innovation, sustainability, and a vital link to our railway’s history, including having formed the first public passenger train to depart Tenterden Town Station on the line’s reopening day in February 1974. Once back in service, the railcar will help the K&ESR deliver authentic heritage journeys more efficiently, reflecting Colonel Stephens’ enduring philosophy of practical, lightweight railway operation.
We look forward to sharing further news with you soon. If you feel able to make a donation, however small, to help secure its ongoing preservation and maintenance needs into the future, please see details below.
The W20W Team The Kent & East Sussex Railway
To download the full Railcar W20W Report, click here.
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| How to Donate Make a single payment or create a regular standing order through CAF Donate - click or use the link below. If you are a UK tax payer, you can also enable the K&ESR to collect Gift Aid.
Send a cheque made payable to the 20 for 20 Appeal, Kent & East Sussex Railway, Tenterden Town Station, Station Road, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6HE. Please mark '20 for 20' on the reverse of your cheque.
Text 'Railcar' to 70460 to make a £20 donation.
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| Kent & East Sussex RailwayTenterden Town Station, Station Road, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6HEwww.kesr.org.ukRegistered charity 262481 | | | | |
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