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==80969 in service and preservation==
80969 entered service in January 1948 in what had by then become the BR Western Region. As a Departmental vehicle allocated to the Western region it carried the number DW80969. It later moved to the Scottish Region, where it ended service at Cowlairs, Glasgow in 1973.
==80969 in preservation==
80969 arrived on the SVR at [[Bewdley]] on 6 April 1973, having been privately purchased by a member of the [[Great Western (SVR) Assoc.|Great Western (SVR) Association]]. It was initially painted in BR all-blue livery and used as the General Manager’s office.<ref>SVR News 28</ref><ref name=SB9/> By 1977 ownership has been assumed by another private individual. 80969 then received an overhaul in summer 1978. The interior was stripped and re-varnished, while the plumbing and gas cooker were also overhauled. The exterior was repainted into Hawksworth era Chocolate and Cream livery and new carpets were fitted, with the overhaul being completed just in time for a return to service as an Observation Car in the [[Autumn Steam Gala|September 1978 Enthusiasts weekend]].<ref>SVR News 48-49</ref>
80969 was used in the filming of Series 7 Episode 1 of [[Father Brown (2013 TV series)|Father Brown]], first broadcast on 7 January 2019.<ref>Review of episode on BBC iPlayer</ref>
In March 2019 it was outshopped from [[Carriage Repair Works|Kidderminster Carriage Works]] after a light overhaul where work took place on the water tank, pipework and upholstery, together with a repaint. 80969 continues in use as an Observation Car, normally being attached to the end of a rake of carriages for private hire or ‘cream tea’ specials.<ref>SVR Website</ref> It seats up to 23 people and is furnished with armchairs, settees and tables in the two saloons, which are separated by a corridor off which are found a toilet, small kitchen and guard’s office. It is finished in GWR 1942-47 livery, with the coat of arms insignia flanked by 'GREAT' and 'WESTERN'.
Sister vehicle [[GWR 80972 Inspection Saloon]] is also resident on the SVR.
==Gallery==
Interior views of 80969
<gallery>
File:80969 interior 1.JPG
File:80969 interior 2.JPG
File:80969 interior 3.JPG
File:80969 interior 4.JPG
</gallery>
==See also==
*[[Carriages| List of carriages]]
==Links==
*[http://www.cs.rhrp.org.uk/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=265 80969 on Railway Heritage Register On-Line]
*[http://www.svr.co.uk/RestaurantCar_ObservationSaloon.aspx SVR Website Observation Saloons page]
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[[Category: Carriage Type INSP]]
[http[Category://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=265 80969 on www.vintagecarriagestrust.orgFeatured articles]]
