British Railways Standard Steam Stock (Mk.I)
Restaurant-Buffet (Refurbished) - RBR No.1674 - built in 1961

1674 after arrival at Horsted Keynes, April 23rd, 2011
(Richard Salmon)

Built in December 1961 as a Restaurant Buffet, it was refurbished in line with other similar carriages in the 1970s, adding florescent lighting and fixed seating. It has now been overhauled by contractors to a high standard using Bubinga veneer in the saloon, with the buffet counter extended (reminiscent of the layout of the prototype RB, No.1700) and reverting to the original style of loose dining-car seating and original style of lighting. As can be seen in this interior photo this has resulted in a very pleasant ambiance.

As with FO 3064, it is on loan to the Bluebell Railway from its private owner, intended initially to provide a temporary kitchen car and "Restaurant First" for use with the Bluebell's Pullman dining carriages, and subsequently it will be used with the FO and SO for the "Wealden Rambler" afternoon tea trains.

Right: The interior of 1674, showing the loose seating and bar (Tim Baker).

Type: Restaurant-Buffet (Refurbished) - RBR, Diagram 33
Built: December 1961, by Pressed Steel (Lot 30628) as Restaurant-Buffet, Diagram 24
Original No: 1674
Seating: 23 loose dining seats as RB, 23 fixed (second class) seats as RBR, 20 loose seats in current configuration
Length: 64' 6" over body
Weight: Originally 38 Tons, subsequently 39 Tons
To Bluebell: 21 April 2011