Changes

It was originally intended for static display at [[Kidderminster Railway Museum]] but when inspected by the [[Bewdley Carriage and & Wagon group at Bewdley Department]] in early 1995, it was found to be in good condition and considered suitable for operational use.<ref name=SVR114/> It therefore underwent a restoration was repainted in LNWR livery, notwithstanding the modifications to the original design. Before repainting, efforts were made to establish the van's true identity. LNWR wagon plates were removed by the LMS after 1923,<ref group="note">It is not clear in this instance if the plate was removed by the LMS themselves, or during the RNAD ownership</ref> and flatting down the top end plank where the painted number would have been displayed did not reveal a conclusive answer;<ref>SVR News 117</ref> possible options included 8, 3 or 5, 8, 5 or 3, 4 or 1. As a published photo exists of one of these vans in original 1910 condition and numbered 76738, the decision was taken to adopt that number as representing a known member of the class.<ref name=InfoPoster/> With restoration completed, "76738" spent some years in use in the SVR's [[Demonstration Goods Train]].<ref name=SB9/>

In early 2007 it was one of three wagons selected for cosmetic restoration at [[Carriage Repair Works#Kidderminster_Carriage_Repair_Works|Kidderminster Carriage Works ]] prior to exhibition in [[The Engine House]], the others being [[LNER 223162 Mineral Wagon|LNER Mineral Wagon 223162]] and [[LMS 730866 Goods Brake Van |LMS brake van 760866]]. Funding for all the restorations was provided by one of the agencies financing the setting up of the exhibition, with the work being carried out as a contract job by Mike Walker (owner of [[GWR 261 Toplight 'Snake C' Passenger Brake]]). By that time 76738 was 'on the brink of terminal collapse'. The body was affected by rot and fungus and required considerable heavy repairs before painting. A buffer beam fitted by the Navy was found to have been made of plywood, and was replaced with a more suitable one made of Iroko. A "new" roof canvas for the van was fitted using part of the former Arley [[Santa's Grotto]] marquee.<ref>SVR News 158</ref>

76738 duly took its place on display when The Engine House eventually opened in 2008. The Railway Heritage Register Wagon Survey includes a [http://www.ws.vintagecarriagestrust.org/ws/WagonInfo.asp?Ref=7929 photograph] of the van on display in The Engine House in 2010. It was removed from there during a re-organisation in April 2012.<ref>SVR News 179</ref> Although restored to serviceable condition, it was felt that the van's age and wooden underframe made it unsuitable for further use in the [[Demonstration Goods Train]]. It then spent some years stored out of sight in [[Kidderminster Carriage Shed]] but was seen outside [[Carriage Repair Works | Kidderminster Carriage Works]] during late summer 2016.

In April 2023 76738 was repurposed as the [[L.M.S. & B.R. Coach Department Sales Coach | LMS & BR Coach Dept sales coach]] at [[Bridgnorth]], selling books to raise funds for restoration work by the Bridgnorth Carriage and Wagon Department volunteers<ref name=InfoPoster/>.