Changes

At the end of 1982 the SVR authorised the acquisition of six additional BR Mk 1 carriages to expand the rolling stock fleet in anticipation of the forthcoming extension to [[Kidderminster]]. Five were bought in January 1983, including RMB 1855 which was privately purchased by Bob Florence<ref>SVR News 67 pp. 8,17.</ref> on behalf of the [[The SVR (BR) Buffet Car Fund|SVR (BR) Buffet Car Fund]].

After arrival on the SVR from Inverness in March 1983,<ref>SVR Stock Book 9th edition</ref> it spent the following winter at [[Carriage Repair Works#Other_facilities | Bridgnorth carriage siding ]] resting on temporary bogies while the wheels were re-profiled and a damaged coil spring in the one bogie was repaired.<ref>SVR News 71</ref> It was repainted in BR maroon livery over Christmas 1985, becoming the 17th coach to be repainted since Easter 1984, a rate of almost one per month.<ref>SVR News 79</ref><ref group="note">The repainting prompted a report in "Railway World" that "''Blue and grey livery has disappeared from the SVR with completion in maroon of buffet car 1855''". In fact, [[Carriages formerly resident on the SVR|Former resident TSO 4584]] was still awaiting repainting.</ref> After internal tidying up it entered service. During 1988, despite its maroon livery, it was in use in the [[Carriages#The_carriage_sets|crimson and cream and teak sets]].<ref>SVR News 89</ref>

The coach was repainted in late 1989 in time for that year's [[Christmas services|Santa Services]], and the following summer around half the seat units were replaced with stock saved from [[Carriages formerly resident on the SVR#Carriages_scrapped_while_at_the_SVR | scrapped RMB 1858]].<ref>SVR News 94, 97</ref> 1992 saw a steam heat pipe replaced, brake cylinderschanged and buckeye couplers replaced.<ref>SVR News 102</ref> A large repair to the floor behind the bar was required in 1996, after years of steam and condensation from the floor levelboiler had caused rot to spread up the bar wall and into the floor of the passenger saloon.<ref>SVR News 119</ref>

[[Carriages#Set_M|Set M , the BR Maroon set]], underwent a programme of refurbishment during 2005-6. To speed this up, 1855 was sent away to Rampart Carriage Works at Derby in February 2006, where a seven-man team carried out welding and reconstruction work over a period of around four months. On return to Kidderminster, five full-time staff, assisted by up to six volunteers on certain days, spent another 1,000manhours on the project. 1855 was completed on 4 August in time for the busy holiday and events weeks.<ref>SVR News 155</ref>

In early 2012 RMBs [[BR 1853 Restaurant Miniature Buffet|1853]] and 1855 were both withdrawn for attention at [[Carriage Repair Works#Kidderminster_Carriage_Repair_Works|Kidderminster]]. 1855 received reconditioned wheelsets, other minor repairs and a repaint.<ref>SVR News 179</ref> A broken spring then resulted in 1855 missing several months of service including the 2012 Santa trains.<ref>SVR News 182</ref> During 2013 the seats were rebuilt by volunteers from the Buffet staff.<ref>SVR News 184</ref> In December 2015 the bogies were sent to Bristol for tyre turning; while on the jacks other work was carried out this involving seized tank drains and a leaking heat exchanger under one of the toilets<ref>SVR News 193</ref>

In 2019 the train repairer team in the [[Kidderminster Carriage Shed|carriage storage shed]]completed the first light repair and repaint in the re-located scaffold platform there. 1855 returned to service in June having been finished in BR maroon circa 1964 livery, including a red stripe above the windows. Internal refurbishment included revarnishing all timber throughout and extensive renewal of door furniture on all six doors.<ref>SVR News 207</ref>

1855 sees regular use as buffet car in the [[Carriages#Set_M|BR Maroon set]].