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During a snowy night in February 1996, 1856 suffered a break-in at Bridgnorth, the thieves "''…making off with lager and chocolates, leaving a trail of spilled Smarties and Kit-Cats from platform 2 to the [[Cleobury Road Bridge|Cleobury Mortimer Road bridge]]''". Several days' work were required to repair the damage to the buffet's wall and hatches; at the same time the new boiler was also 'flame-proofed' to stop it scorching the wall.<ref>SVR News 119</ref>
In spring 1999 the SVR acquired a third RMB, [[BR 1853 Restaurant Miniature Buffet|1853]]. By that time 1856 was looking in tired condition after nearly 10 years in SVR service. The decision was therefore taken for 1853 to be painted crimson and cream so it could replace 1856 in [[Carriages#Set_C|set C]], with 1856 then being allocated to another set after overhaul.<ref>SVR News 135</ref> By 2002 it was further decided that 1856 would be outshopped in BR's GW livery as used on BR(W) Mark ls during the 1957 to 1961 period.<ref>SVR News 142</ref> It re-entered service as W1856 in [[Carriages#Set_GW2|set GWR2GW2]], the GWR Chocolate and Cream running set, in November 2003 having received major repairs to the ends, new battery boxes and substantial re-plumbing.
In 2006 1856 transferred into the [[Severn Valley Limited]] dining set [[Carriages#Set_S|(set S)]] in 2006, taking the place of [[LMS 149 Buffet Car]] which had been running in chocolate and cream livery since 1996 and increasing the seating capacity of that set by 17.<ref>SVR News 155,156, 163</ref> Subsequently 1856 reverted to use in set GW2.
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In spring 2016 1856 stood in for sister coach 1855 in [[Carriages#Set_M|set M ]] which also included crimson and cream composite [[BR 16267 Composite Corridor|16267]]. Both vehicles were described as "''equally sunburned''" and "''some four years overdue for painting''". Later that year the worn out fluorescent lighting was removed and replaced by the original style 'bulls eye' lamps with which it was first fitted in 1961.<ref>SVR News 193,194</ref>
In summer 2018, completion of work on [[LMS 149 Buffet Car]] allowed 1856 to be withdrawn for its 'due by date' mechanical overhaul.<ref>SVR News 202</ref> This included removal of the bogies which were sent away for tyre turning, while the overhaul revealed a hidden broken coil spring which was replaced. Other work undertaken included Buckeye replacement, vacuum cylinder overhaul and gangway plunger inspection. By summer 2019 1856 was still in BR(W) livery but had returned to use in Set set M, taking the place of 1855 which required attention. Shortly after it transferred to [[Carriages#Set_N|set N]], allowing [[LNER 643 Buffet|Gresley Buffet 643]] to be withdrawn for light overhaul and re-varnishing.<ref>SVR News 206, 207</ref>
In 2021 SVR News was finally able to report that 1856 was receiving a full repaint, having "''...bounced from one set to another standing in for other buffet cars during overhauls, always looking the odd one out in the BR(W) colours''". In August 2021 it was repainted at Kidderminster into BR maroon livery with black ends, as it would have been entered service in 1961, also reverting to its original number E1856.<ref>SVR News 215</ref> The repaint was in anticipation of its eventual incorporation into [[Carriages#Set_M|set M]], when sets were reformed and buffet services re-introduced after the [[2020 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic]|COVID-19 pandemic].<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/blaug21 Branch Lines, August 2021]</ref>
Ironically, as a result of its repaint the previous year, no BR(W) liveried buffet car was then available for use in the GWR Chocolate and Cream running set during the April 2022 [[Spring Steam Gala]] so 1856 temporarily returned to that role, once again "looking the odd one out" in its smart new maroon livery.
