20 Great Western Railway Railcar

Home Railway	Kent & East Sussex Railway	Location History	Kent & East Sussex Railway Apr 66-Present
Current Location	Kent & East Sussex Railway
Current Status	Under Restoration
Current Livery	BR Green
TRA Designation	3
Owner	Kent & East Sussex Railway
Website	kesr.org.uk
Record Last Updated	16 April 2023
Preservation Modifications None
Preservation Information No20 was withdrawn by BR in October 1962 and was placed in storage along with many of the GWR Railcars which were surplus to requirements at this time. The vehicle was one of three members of the class saved for preservation, and arrived at its new home on the Kent & East Sussex Railway in 1966. By late 1972 the vehicle was operational following several years restoration work. In February 1974 the vehicle carried the railway’s first fare paying passengers. The late 1970’s saw the vehicle operate many off-peak and off-season services. In 1980, No20 was withdrawn requiring major bodywork repairs. The 1980’s and 1990’s have both seen attempts made to rebuild No20, under different teams, however neither succeeded, as the body required a full rebuild. The 2000’s however saw renewed effort with a long term plan to return the vehicle to service implemented. The mechanical components saw much work and were regarded as virtually complete, with further work concentrating on the body. By the late 2010's the railway admitted that due to lack of funds and facilities that the restoration, whilst not stopped, was only moving along very slowly. A change in focus, some much needed publicity, and importantly a new funding source led to a resurgance in the project in 2018. Mechanical restoration continued with one of the engines rebuilt and ready to fit. The momentum continued with steady progress on the body rebuild throughout the late 2010's. The body reached an advanced stage of woodwork renewal (wooden framed vehicles are rare in the railcar world!) which allowed steel side panels to be fixed into place. After many years, the skelital look of the vehicle was changing. The panel fitting also allowed the interior to begin to take shape.
Future Plans The overhaul is subject to fundraising and it has been made clear that the restoration is to be fitted in-between the railway’s existing running commitments. Progress is therefore expected to be steady but will be completed. Understandably, no completion set has been set.

	The long running skeletal exterior appearance of 20 is clearly changing with the fitting of the steel side panels at tenterden, 16/6/19. Benjamin Paul Jeffery

	The long running skeletal exterior appearance of 20 is clearly changing with the fitting of the steel side panels at tenterden, 16/6/19. Benjamin Paul Jeffery

	The long running skeletal exterior appearance of 20 is clearly changing with the fitting of the steel side panels at tenterden, 16/6/19. Benjamin Paul Jeffery

	20 seen inside and under active restoration, 10/4/16. Michael Hughes

	20 now under wraps as restoration of mechanics is undertaken off the vehicle, 17/6/08. Bill Pugsley

	20 under restoration, 23/3/03. Steve Hodgson

	20 under restoration, 23/3/03. Steve Hodgson

	20 under restoration, 23/3/03. Steve Hodgson

	20 at Rolvenden. John Law

	An early view of W20W in Crimson & Cream colours at Rolvenden, 7/67. Ed Gummitt

Interior

Exterior panel fitting has in turn allowed the interior to start to be assembled, 16/6/19. Benjamin Paul Jeffery