The SVR has three examples of the LMS Third Open (TO), which was designed by Sir William Stanier. Building of this class began in 1938, but the Second Word War delayed the production of later batches. 27218 was built in July 1945 at Wolverton as lot number 1401 to diagram number 1999. The LMS Open Third carriage seats 56 passengers at tables either side of a central aisle.
The SVR’s three LMS Third Opens, 27218, 27220 and 27270, were all rescued intact from Didcot Yard in 1968. 27218 is owned by SVR(H) and forms part of Set L, the LMS Maroon set.
Sources
Railway Heritage Register Carriage Survey
SVR Stock Book Ninth Edition