View source for LMS 7511 Restaurant First Open

{{Infobox maroon carriage
|image      = LMS_7511_20160305.jpg
|caption    = LMS 7511 Restaurant First Open
|construc   = LMS Wolverton
|status     = In service
|carno      = 7511
|othernos   = M7511M, M38740M, CTL1N
|designed   = Stanier
|diagram    = 1902
|lot        = 734
|cartype    = [[:Category:BR Carriage classification codes#LMS Codes|QL (DINING)]], [[:Category: Carriage Type RFO|RFO]]
|length     = 65ft
|weight     = 35t
|seats      = 42
|built      = 1934
|years1     = 1999
|events1    = Arrived on SVR
|years2     = 2009
|events2    = Restoration completed
|years3     = 2010
|events3    = Winner of HRA award
|years4     = 
|events4    = 
|years5     = 
|events5    = 
|years6     = 
|events6    = 
}}'''LMS Restaurant First Open (RFO) 7511''' was designed by W A (later Sir William) Stanier following his appointment as CME to the LMS. 

==Construction and service==
7511 was built at Wolverton in 1934 as lot number 734 to Diagram 1902. The 65ft 'Vestibule Open Dining First' would seat 42 First Class passengers in near-Pullman luxury on principal express services, and could also be laid up for use as a dining car. They shared the distinction of being the longest locomotive-hauled 8 wheeled coaches.<ref>[[Bibliography#Other References|Jenkinson & Essery (1977)]] pp. 125,129.</ref> 

In accordance with normal practice, BR renumbered the coach M7511M, which it carried until August 1964.<ref>[[Bibliography#Other References|Longworth (2019)]] pp.250-251.</ref> It was then stripped internally and refurbished for use as an exhibition coach, receiving the number M38740M which it carried until 1969.<ref>[[Bibliography#Other References|Longworth (2019)]] p.318.</ref> During this time it was acquired by Gilt Edge Carpets (formerly Carpet Trades Limited) of Kidderminster for use as a mobile carpet showroom in the same exhibition train as [[LMS 149 Buffet Car | 149]], the train being hauled by former SVR resident [[61994 The Great Marquess]].<ref>SVR Stock Book Ninth Edition</ref> The two carriages carried the numbers CTL1N and CTL2S respectively<ref>[http://lmsca.org.uk/lms-coaches/br-departmental-coach-list/ LMS Carriage Association]</ref>. 

==Preservation==
Gilt Edge donated 7511 to the SVR in July 1969, where it was initially used as a club room<ref>SVR Stock Book Summer 1970 Edition, p.16.</ref> and then as additional dormitory accommodation at Bridgnorth<ref>SVR Stock Book 1972-3 Edition, p.42.</ref> until 1988, after which it was stored out of use for some time.

In 1999 a then-active SVR preservation group, the ‘LMS & BR Coach Fund’, purchased 7511 for a nominal sum and began raising funds to restore it. In 2004 the [[:Category:SVR fundraising lotteries|SVRA raffle]] 'Bums on Seats' raised around £8,000 in aid of 7511 and [[GNR 2701 Composite Corridor]].<ref>SVR News 149</ref> The LMS & BR Coach Fund donated all its vehicles to [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd | The SVR Charitable Trust]] in 2007.  A near 10-year £75,000 restoration at Bridgnorth was completed in 2009, incorporating many parts retrieved from the grounded body of 7571 at Butterley.  7511 became the first LMS vehicle on the SVR to feature the LMS 1933-34 full livery including gold-leaf and vermillion lining. The high standard of accuracy and finish won the Heritage Railway Association's Carriage & Wagon Competition in 2010.<ref>[http://svrtrust.org.uk/our-projects/carriage-restoration.html SVR Charitable Trust web site]</ref>   

Since then 7511 has seen use in the Severn Valley Venturer dining set paired with [[BR 1682 Restaurant Buffet | 1682]], substituting for [[BR 3103 First Open]] while the latter was allocated to other duties. It is otherwise not normally used in service trains, but is available for special dining trains etc.

==See also==
[[Carriages| List of carriages]]<br>
[[Severn Valley Venturer]]

==References==
<references/>
*SVR Charitable Trust

==Links==
*[http://www.cs.rhrp.org.uk/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=680 7511 on Railway Heritage Register On-Line]
*[http://svrtrust.org.uk/our-vehicles/lms/7511-2.html 7511 on svrtrust.org.uk]
*[https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/19585750.nostalgia-train-helped-sell-kidderminster-carpet/#gallery0 Images] of the Gilt Edge Carpets train at Kidderminster station in 1965, 'Nostalgia: How the train helped to sell Kidderminster carpet', Kidderminster Shuttle, 19 September 2021

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[[Category: Rolling stock owned by The SVR Charitable Trust]]
[[Category: Carriage Type RFO]]
[[Category:SVR fundraising lotteries]]
[[Category:Featured articles]]