servicing the LNER 13803 Thompson Third

The guys in the Bo'ness railway engineering building have been busy lately working on the LNER 13803, which is much needed for extra coaching for their Santa Special trains.This preserved steel-bodied, teak-effect railway carriage built in 1947 for the London and North Eastern Railway It is a Thompson Third Class Tourist Open (TTO) coach, representative of passenger cars used in Scotland during the 1940s and 1950s.
History
Construction: Built at York in 1947, the year before the LNER was nationalized into British Railways. It was designed by Edward Thompson, who succeeded Nigel Gresley as the LNER's Chief Mechanical Engineer.
Withdrawal and preservation: After its service life, the carriage body was acquired in 1977 from Bellahouston Carriage sidings in Glasgow. At the time, it was being used as a carriage cleaners' messroom.

Restoration: The Scottish Railway Preservation Society (SRPS) recovered the vehicle and restored it, placing it on Gresley bogies. The exterior was repainted with a "scumble" finish to give it the appearance of the traditional varnished teak coaches.
Recent work: In 2005, the coach underwent further attention, including restoration of its 24V electrical system.
Current location
Today, the carriage is part of the collection at the Scottish Railway Museum, located in Bo'ness, and is cared for by the SRPS. It is typically housed in the Reserve Collection Building.