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==Preservation==
1257 is believed to be the only remaining outside framed example,<ref>GW(SVR)A</ref> and as such was identified as being of 'regional importance' by the NRM.<ref name=SB9/> The coach was purchased from Wantage Road near Didcot, arriving on the SVR in March 1976.<ref name=SB9/> The roof was re-canvassed in winter 1977 and other work completed in time for use in the Autumn 1978 [[Autumn Steam Gala|Enthusiasts’ Weekend]].<ref>SVR News 49</ref> In winter of that year it was used as [[Santa's Grotto]] at [[Arley]]; when not in use for that purpose it served as the Carriage & Wagon Department timber store.<ref>SVR News 50</ref>
Use as Santa’s Grotto continued for some years. In 1985 it was proposed for 1257 to go on show at Swindon in August as part of a demonstration goods train in the GWR 150 event,<ref>SVR News 75</ref> later cancelled after the closure of the Swindon works was announced just before the event was scheduled to take place.<ref>SVR News 77</ref> The coach received major body repairs at [[Carriage Repair Works|Kidderminster Carriage Works]] in late 1991 before returning to Santa duties.<ref>SVR News 101/102</ref>
