22 Great Western Railway Railcar

Home Railway

Didcot Railway Centre

Location History

Severn Valley Railway Jun 67-78

Current Location

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway

Didcot Railway Centre 78-Mar 26

Current Status

Operational

Current Livery

Chocolate & Cream

Visited Railways

Reading (Open Day) Jun 85

TRA Designation

3

Bescot (Open Day) Jul 90

Owner

Great Western Society

East Somerset Railway Mar 26-Apr 26

Website

didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Apr 26-Present

Record Last Updated

11 May 2026

Preservation Modifications
None

Preservation Information
Withdrawn in 1962 and stored at Swindon Works, 22 was preserved by the Great Western Society in 1967 and placed on loan to the Severn Valley Railway where the vehicle was initially restored.

In 1968, 22 ran the Severn Valley’s very first passenger train and continued to give the railway good service for another decade.

In 1978, 22 was relocated to the society’s base at the Didcot Railway Centre where it has operated ever since.

Over the years 22 has received several small restorations externally and internally. The vehicle is kept indoors which greatly increases the longevity of paint and materials used in restoration work. The most recent restoration work was completed in April 2009 when the vehicle returned to service following an engine rebuild.

In 2026, 22 went on a holiday following over 30 years confined to Didcot's demonstration line, which proved very popular with enthusiasts. The vehicle first visited the East Somerset Railway and then the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway for around a month each. Both railways were on firm Great Western Railway territory making the vehicle an appropriate visitor.

22 sees occasional passenger use on the society’s demonstration line, often on bank holiday weekends. The light demands on the vehicle, along with its undercover accommodation, means the vehicle goes impressively long periods between requiring any attention, remaining in good condition for visitors.

Future Plans
To maintain in service.

22, complete with GWR tail load, at Hales Abbey Halt during a Matt Fielding photo charter, 4/5/26. Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway

22 stretches its legs near Winchcombe, 2/5/26. James McLeish

22 between duties at Cranmore during a themed railcar/diesel day, 21/3/26. Chris Moxon

22 arriving into Mendip Vale from Cranmore during a themed railcar/diesel day, 21/3/26. Chris Moxon

22 departing Mendip Vale for Cranmore during a themed railcar/diesel day, 21/3/26. Chris Moxon

22 being transported by road from Didcot to Cranmore, 6/3/26. Didcot Railway Centre

22 being towed through the freight yard at Didcot prior to starting its holidays, 6/3/26. Daniel Archenhold

22 in the company of visiting Class 52 D1023, 18/6/23. Benjamin Paul Jeffery

22 viewed from beyond Didcot's traverser, 17/9/22. Phil Clarke

22 running on one of the demonstartion lines at Didcot, 2019. Martyn Hearson

22 in service on the long demonstration line for a change, 19/5/18. Benjamin Paul Jeffrey

22 in service on the long demonstration line for a change, 19/5/18. Benjamin Paul Jeffrey

22 in action on the demonstration line at Didcot, 1/4/17. Simon Cartlidge-Swain

22 offering rides on Didcot's "branch line", 4/6/15. Tony Shackell

22 in use on the "branch line" at Didcot during the late May bank holiday, 26/5/14. Matthew Callaghan

22 in action on the DRC's demonstration line, 26/4/14. Richard Moxon

22 stabled in the carriage shed at Didcot, 13/4/12. DC-7C

22 seen stabled in the carriage shed at Didcot, 2/4/11. Richard Moxon

22 seen stabled in the carriage shed at Didcot, 2/4/11. Richard Moxon

An unusual view of 22 at Didcot, 31/7/10. Amy Adams

22 in operation on the demonstration running line, 2000. Andrew Simmonds

22 under the wires, when visiting the Bescot open day, 30/7/90. Andy Cole

22 is close to the rear of the formation near Pangbourne on the Great Western mainline returning home to Didcot after appearing at the Reading open day event (1/6/85), held as part of the GWR 150 celebrations, 6/85. John Titlow

22 stabled at Didcot Railway Centre, 29/9/84. Chris Moxon Collection

An early view of W22W freshly preserved at Bridgnorth, still in BR Green livery, 28/5/67. David Adams

The excellently restored passenger saloon of 22 at Didcot, 4/6/15. Tony Shackell

The passenger saloon inside 22, 2000. Andrew Simmonds