The Kent & East Sussex Railways volunteers who are undertaking work on the historic GWR Diesel Railcard W20 have now achieved two impressive milestones.

The first achievement is the return of W20 to the Carriage and Wagon shed at Tenterden which will allow its restoration to continue which will get underway with the installation of a brand new heating system.

January saw the railcar temporarily leave the workshop in order for winter maintenance to be carried out on the Wealden Pullman set. During this time minor work for W20 continued and saw preparatory work on components including prop shafts and enabled the heating refit to get underway in early March.

As time was lost whilst the railcar was out of the workshop, the team are looking for ways to make up the lost time in order to meet the schedule and achieve full restoration for February 2024.

The second milestone is the success of the ’20 for 20′ appeal which has significantly exceeded its target with an incredible current total of £58,000!

Longstanding Kent & East Sussex Railway volunteer Derrick Bilsby, who has led the fundraising campaign said:“ We are delighted by this response. Having slowed over the Christmas and New Year period, donations picked up rapidly afterwards. However, we were taken aback by the sheer volume of new pledges and donations.

“Consistent with the stated aims of the appeal, the amazing sum raised will not only enable the completion of the restoration but will also provide a secure fund to ensure its continued conservation so that it can operate at the K&ESR for many years to come.”

Kent & East Sussex Railways General Manager, Robin Coombes said:“ We would like to thank everyone who has so generously donated to the Appeal, especially in these challenging times.”

“I think Andrew Webb, in whose memory the Appeal is dedicated, would have been astonished by the scale of the response but, like us, would see it as confirmation of the iconic nature of W20 and how well-loved it is by heritage railway enthusiasts everywhere.”

The ’20 for 20′ appeal will stay open due to some donors opting to pledge regular amounts over a set period. Any further donations to this wonderful project will go on to ring-fence the conservation fund.