These coaches were built by the Great Western Railway in 1937 as part of lot 1575 to Collett design diagram C.74.

When complete they will form part of the Great Western train with 6515,  Hawksworth Brake Third 2180 (being rebuilt as a GWR buffet), Full Brake 276, Hawksworth First/Third Brake 7377 and "Super Saloons" 9111 (King George) and 9116 (Duchess of York).

In 2000 the SDR Carriage & Wagon Department concentrated their efforts on the restoration of Great Western Collett 'Excursion' coach No.1295 of 1937 which formed the third GWR coach for the regular train set from the 2001 season.

2010 will see the start of the restoration of 1285.

During the restoration of 1295 the main wooden frame had to be repaired, the bodyside panels renewed where necessary, new windows provided and fitted and internal wiring replaced. The interior art deco style panelling was repair or replaced as necessary along with refurbishment of the seat ends and general internal fitments. Ceiling panels were renewed and new plumbing was needed in both toilets. The roof water tanks also needed repair. New upholstery was manufactured by British Furco in Halifax to an original GW pattern. The pictures show progress to early October 2000.

It had been planned to reinstate the long removed arm rests and also the missing tables which were believed to be in store on the Paignton and Dartmouth Railway from whom the carriage was purchased in 1992 however the arms weren't re-instated because they presented a potentioal hazard to small fingers!