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|events2 = Restoration completed1989 restoration began|years3 = 2012|events3 = First use in passenger service|years4 = 2015|events4 = |years5 = |events5 = |years6 = |events6 = Restoration completed}}'''LNER 7960''' is the last surviving example of an '''LNER Kitchen Composite ''' (RC) 7960 was designed by LNER CME Sir Nigel Gresley and built at Doncaster in 1936 to LNER Diagram 187.<ref name=LongworthLNERSVRCoachFund>[[Bibliographyhttp://www.lnersvrcoachfund.org.uk//teak_set.html#Other References|Longworth (2018)]] p7960 lnersvrcoachfund.266org.uk]</ref> It Since its lengthy restoration was originally equipped with an anthracite-electric kitchen to serve meals into separate First and Third class saloons seating 12 and 18 respectivelycompleted in 2015 it has mainly seen use on special dining trains.

7960 was renumbered as 9162 as part of the designed by LNER's 1943 re-numbering scheme. On Nationalisation CME Sir Nigel Gresley and built at Doncaster in 1947, BR initially allocated an E prefix 1936 to indicate its LNER origin, with a further re-numbering to SC9162E after 1951Diagram 187.<refname=Longworth>[[Bibliography#Other References|Longworth (2018)]] p.175266.</ref> It remained The layout comprised an entrance vestibule giving access to a third-class saloon seating18, followed by the first-class saloon seating 12. A side corridor leading from the first-class saloon gave access to a pantry compartment, an anthracite-electric kitchen and finally an attendant's lavatory. The interior of the third-class saloon was finished in use varnished teak with polished brass metal fittings; the first-class saloon had quartered 'fiddle-back' veneered panels with mahogany trim and polished chrome metal fittings.<ref group="note">The interiors were in a traditional style with darker veneers rather than the former GNS area 'art deco' style of the LNER until the 1960sOpens. Its regular diagram </ref> Power was Aberdeen to Invernessprovided by two Stones dynamos rated at 7·2Kw, northbound serving breakfastmounted on the underframe, dinner on returnand supplemented by batteries. <ref name=LNERSVRCoachFund/>

Following 7960's regular diagram was on the Great North of Scotland route between Aberdeen and Inverness, serving breakfast on the 7.00am northbound and dinner on 12.30pm return service.<ref name=LNERSVRCoachFund/> It was renumbered as 9162 as part of the LNER's 1943 re-numbering scheme. On Nationalisation in 1947, BR initially allocated an E prefix to indicate its LNER origin, with a further re-numbering to SC9162E after 1951.<ref>[[Bibliography#Other References|Longworth (2018)]] p.175.</ref> In 1957 BR began a 5-year programme to replace all its pre-1939 catering vehicles. Although some other LNER carriages were converted to propane equipment to extend their working lives, 7960 was not so treated and was withdrawn in 1961.<ref name=LNERSVRCoachFund/> After withdrawal from passenger service it was converted to a Mess Coach for Scottish Region track workers, as departmental number DE 321021 from December 1963.<ref name=Longworth/> The third class saloon was most altered to three sleeping compartments with a side corridor, and the former first class to a messroom complete with coal burning stove. Surprisingly the kitchen remained largely untouched , although at some stage in its life the anthracite-electric cooker had been was replaced with gas.

7960 arrived painted black and in run down condition on the SVR, by rail from Perth in late 1980, <ref name=SB9>SVR Stock Book Ninth Edition</ref> having been purchased privately by Mr John Giles. The <ref>SVR News 64</ref> It was painted black and was in run down condition. It spent most of the decade in Kidderminster yard where it remained largely untouched,<ref>[https://www.gw-svr-a.org.uk/7960/7960-restoration.html GW(SVRA) 7960 Restoration Part 1]</ref> apart from the bogies which were overhauled and temporarily fitted under Buffet Car 643.<ref name=SB9/>  Around 1989 Phil James assumed ownership later passed to Mr of 7960, having 'taken pity on its woeful condition'.<ref name=LNERSVRCoachFund/><ref group="note">Phil James who spent many years involved in the preservation of GWR coaches at Bewdley, and at different times served as the secretary of the [[SVRA]] and the [[Great Western (SVR) Association]].</ref> A small team, mainly comprising Phil and his colleague Graham Gardner, spent the next 20 years painstakingly restoring it to original condition, initially at Kidderminster and later at Bewdley. Sadly he died before he During the first winter it was able moved into [[Carriage Repair Works|Kidderminster Carriage Works]] to be made watertight.<ref>SVR News 94</ref> By 1999 all of the large teak panels were fitted and varnished, and all of the quarterlight units overhauled, reglazed and refitted.<ref>SVR News 129</ref> Work continued at Bewdley; in winter 2007 it returned to Kidderminster for contract finishing of the vacuum and steam heat and to complete be returned onto its own overhauled bogies.<ref>SVR News 160, 161</ref> By 2008 the project was nearing completion apart from the kitchen fittings, although Phil had been suffering from a lengthy illness which was beginning to affect his ability to work.<ref name=LNERSVRCoachFund/> Phil sadly passed away in March 2009. A team of volunteers continued with the restoration, and in January 2011 autumn 2010 it featured as a static exhibit during the [[Autumn Steam Gala]]. 7960 was generously gifted by his widow Louise to the SVR Rolling Stock Trust (now [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd | The SVR Charitable Trust]]in January 2011.  The 2012 Spring Steam Gala had an 'LNER' theme, during which 7960 made its first run in public service, carrying its first passengers on Friday 21 May 2012.<ref>SVR News 178, 179</ref>  <gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">60019_20120325.jpg| 2012 Spring Steam Gala guest 60019 Bittern with a rake of Gresley teaks including 7960</gallery> Final completion of the kitchen and pantry took place in 2015, and allowing 7960 entered to enter catering service in May 2015. Phil James and Paul Bennett created a very interesting website, hosted by the Great Western (SVR) association which documented much of the restoration and which may be found at [http://www.gw-svr-a.org.uk/7960/index.html 7960 pages]<gallerymode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">