Preserved by the Southern Locomotive Preservation Co., it was based in various places in Hampshire until the closure of the preservation scheme at Liss led to its transfer to the Bluebell.
Left: 6686 as initially restored to 1930s Maunsell livery, photograpehd by John Atkinson at Horsted Keynes on 4 March 1978
In the 1980s it reverted to the BR(S) green livery it carried in the 1960s, since it needed a repaint but was not worth the expense of the more complex SR lining and gold-leaf lettering for a relatively short further period in traffic. It continued in service on the Bluebell until 1987 when it was withdrawn for a long-overdue overhaul.
The interior was completely stripped out, refurbished and replaced following the completion of structural repairs to the ends, sides and doors. The complete bottom-side timbers, running the entire length of the coach, were replaced. All the external steel sheeting was replaced, and the coach re-entered service in April 1997.
The restoration of this coach was Highly Commended in the 1998/9 Heritage Railway Association Carriage & Wagon Awards.
