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In summer 2018, completion of work on [[LMS 149 Buffet Car]] allowed 1856 to be withdrawn for its 'due by date' mechanical overhaul.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 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 Shortly after it transferred to [[Carriages#Set_N|set N]], allowing [[LNER 643 Buffet|Gresley Buffet 643]] to be withdrawn for light overhaul and re-varnishing.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 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.
