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SVRA raffle
After service with the LMS and BR (renumbered as 38740), 7511 was acquired by Gilt Edge Carpets of Kidderminster for use as a mobile carpet showroom in the same exhibition train as [[LMS 9355 Buffet Car | 149]]. Gilt Edge donated it to the SVR in July 1969 who used it for dormitory accommodation at Bridgnorth until 1988, after which it was stored out of use for some time.
In 1999 a then-active SVR preservation group, the ‘LMS & BR Coach Fund’, purchased 7511 for a nominal sum and began raising funds to restore it. In 2004 the [[:Category:SVR fundraising lotteries|SVRA raffle]] 'Bums on Seats' raised around £8,000 in aid of 7511 and [[GNR 2701 Composite Corridor]].<ref>SVR News 149</ref> The LMS & BR Coach Fund donated all its vehicles to [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd | The SVR Charitable Trust]] in 2007. A near 10-year £75,000 restoration at Bridgnorth was completed in 2009, incorporating many parts retrieved from the grounded body of 7571 at Butterley. 7511 became the first LMS vehicle on the SVR to feature the LMS 1933-34 full livery including gold-leaf and vermillion lining. The high standard of accuracy and finish won the Heritage Railway Association's Carriage & Wagon Competition in 2010.<ref>[http://svrtrust.org.uk/our-projects/carriage-restoration.html SVR Charitable Trust web site]</ref>
Since then 7511 has seen use in the Severn Valley Venturer dining set paired with [[BR 1682 Restaurant Buffet | 1682]], substituting for [[BR 3103 First Open]] while the latter was allocated to other duties. It is otherwise not normally used in service trains, but is available for special dining trains etc.
[[Category: Rolling stock owned by The SVR Charitable Trust]]
[[Category: Carriage Type RFO]]
[[Category:SVR fundraising lotteries]]
