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[[File: LNER_7960_20150528{{Infobox carriage|image = LNER 7960 20160503.jpg |thumbcaption = LNER Kitchen Composite 7960|300pxconstruc = LNER Doncaster|rightstatus = In service| LNER Kitchen Composite carno = 7960|othernos = 9162, SC9162E, DE321021|designed = Gresley|diagram = 187|lot = 673|cartype = [[:Category: Carriage Type RC|RC]]|length = 61ft 6in|weight = 42t 15cwt|seats = 12 first, 18 third (as built)|built = 1936|years1 = 1980|events1 = Preserved on SVR|years2 = 2015|events2 = 1989 restoration began|years3 = 2012|events3 = First use in passenger service|years4 = 2015|events4 = Restoration completed}}'''LNER 7960''' is the last surviving example of an '''LNER Kitchen Composite ''' (RC) 7960 was built at Doncaster.<refname=LNERSVRCoachFund>(Or built at York, see sources below)[http://www.lnersvrcoachfund.org.uk//teak_set.html#7960 lnersvrcoachfund.org.uk]</ref> Since its lengthy restoration was completed in 1936. It was originally equipped with an anthracite-electric kitchen to serve meals into separate First and Third class saloons seating 12 and 18 respectively2015 it has mainly seen use on special dining trains.

==7960 in service==7960 was renumbered as 9162 designed by LNER CME Sir Nigel Gresley and built at Doncaster in 19461936 to LNER Diagram 187. It remained in use in the former GNS area of the LNER until the 1960s<ref name=Longworth>[[Bibliography#Other References|Longworth (2018)]] p.266. Its regular diagram was Aberdeen </ref> The layout comprised an entrance vestibule giving access to Invernessa third-class saloon seating 18, northbound serving breakfast, dinner on returnfollowed by the first-class saloon seating 12. Following withdrawal it was converted A side corridor leading from the first-class saloon gave access to a Mess Coach for Scottish Region track workerspantry compartment, as departmental number DE 321021an anthracite-electric kitchen and finally an attendant's lavatory. The interior of the third -class saloon was most altered to three sleeping compartments finished in varnished teak with a side corridor, and polished brass metal fittings; the former first -class to saloon had quartered 'fiddle-back' veneered panels with mahogany trim and polished chrome metal fittings.<ref group="note">The interiors were in a messroom complete traditional style with coal burning stovedarker veneers rather than the 'art deco' style of the Opens. Surprisingly the kitchen remained largely untouched although </ref> Power was provided by two Stones dynamos rated at some stage in its life 7·2kW, mounted on the anthracite-electric cooker had been replaced with gasunderframe, and supplemented by batteries.<ref name=LNERSVRCoachFund/>

7960 arrived painted black 's regular diagram was on the Great North of Scotland route between Aberdeen and in run down condition Inverness, serving breakfast on the SVR, from Perth in late 1980, having been purchased privately by Mr John Giles7.00am northbound and dinner on 12.30pm return service. The ownership later passed to Mr Phil James who spent <ref name=LNERSVRCoachFund/> It was renumbered as 9162 as part of the next 20 years painstakingly restoring it to original conditionLNER's 1943 re-numbering scheme. Sadly he died before he was able On Nationalisation in 1947, BR initially allocated an E prefix to complete the lengthy restorationindicate its LNER origin, and in January 2011 7960 was generously gifted by his widow Louise with a further re-numbering to the SVR Rolling Stock Trust (now SC9162E after 1951.<ref>[[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd Bibliography#Other References| The SVR Charitable TrustLongworth (2018)]]p. Final completion of the kitchen and pantry took place in 2015, and 7960 entered service in May 2015175. Phil James and Paul Bennett created a very interesting website, hosted by the Great Western (SVR) association which may be found at [http:/</www.gw-svr-a.org.uk/7960/index.html 7960 pages]ref>

In 1957 BR began a 5-year programme to replace all its pre-1939 catering vehicles. Although some other LNER carriages were converted to propane equipment to extend their working lives, 7960 was not so treated and was withdrawn in 1961.<ref name=LNERSVRCoachFund/> After withdrawal from passenger service it was converted to a Mess Coach for Scottish Region track workers, as departmental number DE 321021 from December 1963.<ref name=SourcesLongworth/> The third class saloon was most altered to three sleeping compartments with a side corridor, and the former first class to a messroom complete with coal burning stove. Surprisingly the kitchen remained largely untouched, although at some stage in its life the anthracite-electric cooker was replaced with gas. ==7960 in preservation==7960 arrived on the SVR by rail from Perth in late 1980,<ref name=SB9>SVR Stock Book Ninth Edition</ref> having been purchased privately by John Giles.<ref>SVR News 64</ref> It was painted black and was in run down condition. It spent most of the decade in Kidderminster yard where it remained largely untouched,<ref>[https://www.gw-svr-a.org.uk/7960/7960-restoration.html GW(SVRA) 7960 Restoration Part 1]</ref> apart from the bogies which were overhauled and temporarily fitted under Buffet Car 643.<ref name=SB9/>  Around 1989 Phil James assumed ownership of 7960, having 'taken pity on its woeful condition'.<ref name=LNERSVRCoachFund/><ref group="note">Phil James spent many years involved in the preservation of GWR coaches at Bewdley, and at different times served as the secretary of the [[SVRA]] and the [[Great Western (SVR) Association]].</ref> A small team, mainly comprising Phil and his colleague Graham Gardner, spent the next 20 years painstakingly restoring it to original condition, initially at Kidderminster and later at Bewdley. During the first winter it was moved into [[Carriage Repair Works|Kidderminster Carriage Works]] to be made watertight.<ref>SVR News 94</ref> By 1999 all of the large teak panels were fitted and varnished, and all of the quarterlight units overhauled, reglazed and refitted.<ref>SVR News 129</ref> Work continued at Bewdley; in winter 2007 it returned to Kidderminster for contract finishing of the vacuum and steam heat and to be returned onto its own overhauled bogies.<ref>SVR News 160, 161</ref> By 2008 the project was nearing completion apart from the kitchen fittings, although Phil had been suffering from a lengthy illness which was beginning to affect his ability to work.<ref name=LNERSVRCoachFund/> Phil sadly passed away in March 2009. A team of volunteers continued with the restoration and in autumn 2010 it featured as a static exhibit during the [[Autumn Steam Gala]]. 7960 was generously gifted by his widow Louise to the SVR Rolling Stock Trust (now [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd | The SVR Charitable Trust]] in January 2011. The 2012 Spring Steam Gala had an 'LNER' theme, during which 7960 made its first run in public service, carrying its first passengers on Friday 21 May 2012.<ref>SVR News 178, 179</ref>  <gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">60019_20120325.jpg| 2012 Spring Steam Gala guest 60019 Bittern with a rake of Gresley teaks including 7960</gallery> Final completion of the kitchen and pantry took place in 2015 allowing 7960 to enter catering service. Phil James and Paul Bennett created a very interesting website, hosted by the Great Western (SVR) association which documented much of the restoration and which may be found at [http://www.gw-svr-a.org.uk/7960/index.html 7960 pages]<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">LNER_7960_20150528.jpg|7960 newly restored in May 2015</gallery> On 5 April 2016 a contentious bronze sculpture by Hazel Reeves of Sir Nigel Gresley was unveiled during a ceremony at King’s Cross station in London.<ref>[https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/transport/nigel-gresley-statue-unveiled-at-king-s-cross-and-he-s-out-for-a-duck-1-7834007 Pantry, L., 'Nigel Gresley statue unveiled at King’s Cross - and he’s out for a duck', Yorkshire Post, 5 April 2016] (Retrieved 18 March 2018)</ref> 7960 was one of the stars of the show, on display on Platform 8.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/kitchen-composite-7960 'Starring Role for Kitchen Composite 7960', SVRLive webpage 23 April 2016]</ref>  In 2019 7960 was used in "The Gin Train" and other similar events, where it was billed as "our 1936-built luxurious first class carriage (once hauled by the Flying Scotsman)"<ref>Special Events on www.svr.co.uk</ref> In 2022 gangway repairs followed a shunting accident. Also, a gas engineer has isolated two burners on the oven and installed heat-resistant extraction fans, which now allow 7960 to offer hot-work cooking when chartered<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/bldec22 Branch Lines, December 2022]</ref>.  ==See also==[[Carriages| List of carriages]] ==Notes==<references group="note"/> ==References==

*[http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrustrhrp.org.uk/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=985 7960 on vintagecarriagestrust.orgRailway Heritage Register On-Line]<br>*[http://www.lnersvrcoachfund.org.uk//teak_set.html#7960 7960 on lnersvrcoachfund.org.uk]<br>*[http://svrtrust.org.uk/our-vehicles/lner/7960-2.html 7960 on svrtrust.org.uk]{{CarriageNavbox}}