LNER Gresley Open Third (TO) No 43600 was built at York in 1934. It was the first LNER vehicle built with a welded chassis, reducing the weight by around a ton[1].
43600 arrived on the SVR in 1980. Restoration into 1935 livery but with a very basic interior, was completed in the mid-1980s, after which it was used for a number of years. After an overhaul, which included a comprehensive upgrade to the interior, 43600 re-entered service in November 2014. During this overhaul, LNER pattern luggage racks, coathooks, wall lamps, tables and mirrors were added, whilst the angular Mk1 seat ends were replaced with new ones to a much more sympathetic design. During January to May 2016 further work was carried out on the roof, including securely fastening the boards to the transverse steel hoops and applying a new canvass. The opportunity was taken to apply a further 2 coats of varnish to the exterior, thus prolonging its life before the next major overhaul!
43600 was one of three coaches which in 2010 were gifted by the LNER (SVR) Coach Fund to the SVR Rolling Stock Trust (now the Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd), along with 24068 and 70759.
Sources
Railway Heritage Register Carriage Survey
LNER (SVR) Coach Fund
- ↑ vintagecarriagestrust.org