KESR railcar appeal halfway to target within weeks of launch
THE Kent & East Sussex Railway has reacted with delight after a public appeal for donations for the long-term restoration of a GWR diesel railcar passed its halfway mark within two weeks of being launched.
Titled ‘20 for 20’, the appeal is for funds to complete an ambitious project to return W20W to traffic by 2024 – in time for it to be one of the centrepieces of the railway’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
As reported last month, the railway announced on October 14 that the Association for Industrial Archaeology (AIA) had awarded a £20,000 grant towards the restoration, with match-funding by the KESR board. This left a £20,000 shortfall, which led the railway to launch ‘20 for 20’ – requesting a £20 donation per head towards the restoration.
Two weeks later, on October
31, KESR general manager Robin Coombes revealed that £12,000 had already been raised. “We are delighted, as it means we are more than halfway towards our target already,” he said. “Many thanks to all those who have generously donated so far. Please keep donating and spreading the word to enable the completion in time for our 50th anniversary.”
Art Deco example
The railcar was built at Swindon in 1940, one of 38 in a class that was acclaimed for its Art Deco design and adaptability. It was withdrawn by BR from Worcester (85A) in October 1962 and saved for preservation by the KESR, where it arrived in April 1966. Eight years later, on February 3, 1974, it ran the first public passenger train from Tenterden Town station on the railway’s official opening in preservation.
After six years in service, the car was withdrawn due to corrosion. A protracted restoration began 25 years ago, and this is still ongoing. However, with the AIA grant and matched funding announced last month, and the positive response to the appeal by enthusiasts and general public, there is a realistic hope that the car will feature in the golden jubilee celebrations.
At the beginning of November, the volunteer team working on the project in the railway’s carriage and wagon shed at Tenterden provided Heritage Railway with an update on recent work that has included making the car weatherproof and watertight. In this regard, the roof sheets that were removed many years ago early in the restoration are now back in place. In addition, the complex job of installing the glazing and window surroundings has begun, and this has involved replicating the wooden frames in-house. These are now fitted using a number of separate components “in classic GWR fashion”, said the team. This task proved to be even more challenging than expected as the car’s side framework was bowed due to the many years it had been without its protective external skin, resulting in remedial work to hold the frames in alignment.
Previously, the cab panels had been only temporarily attached, but before they could be permanently fixed to the frame, joint strengthening brackets need to be fitted, and these are being fabricated by an outside contractor which will oversee the cab’s complete repanelling.
Creating a legacy
Reflecting on the work that is involved, Robin Coombes said:“’Restoring an original 1930s-designed GWR railcar’ are very easy words to say, but how you do it and who does it is a very different matter. Most of the parts are no longer made or off the shelf, and the skills necessary have, in many cases, long been forgotten, so they have to be remade or carefully restored, including everything from gearboxes to timber framing and reupholstered seats.
“Those carrying out the work are volunteers, working long hours over many years, with the only reward being the building of friendships and the creation of team spirit, and eventually witnessing the fruits of their efforts by seeing this iconic historic vehicle back in operation, and so creating a legacy for future generations.
“All I can do as general manager is to stand back in admiration at the sheer dedication and commitment of the team to undertake such a complex task. We all owe the whole team an enormous debt of thanks.”
To support this project, visit https:// kesr.org.uk/donate or text ‘Railcar’ to 70460 to make a £20 donation.