23956 (built by Metropolitan Cammell in 1936.)

The diagram 186 vehicles were built in vast numbers during the 1930s by both the LNER workshops and private contractors (Metropolitan Cammell and Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon). With 2 + 2 seating and 64 seats in total these coaches were used quite extensively in excursion sets and summer holiday relief trains.

They were originally internally decorated with a material called rexine in a shade of brown (often described as a snake skin pattern). Internal brass and woodwork not covered in rexine (or Chrome plated) was spray painted with cellulose brown paint. The rexine was later removed following several serious Fires which spread quickly due to the nitro-cellulose in the material. The saloon was also decorated by large number of elliptical mirrors. Later internal paint finishes are unclear but thought to be two tone in BR days. dark red up to waist level and cream above that. As with 43567 the original seats were described 'bucket seats' and upholstered with an orange brown and red moquette with brown connely hide surround and a rexine covered back. There has been much written about them being very uncomfortable (see David Jenkinson's comments in British Railway Carriages of the 20th Century vol 2). but someone who remembers travelling on them has told the LNERCA that when they were new there were very comfortable. The problems arose after much use when the back sagged probably causing stress on the occupants back, It is also unclear when these seals were removed and replaced with the high backed variety.

This TTO was built for the North Eastern section of the LNER and ended its service life in the Scotish Region control train, based at Carstairs.

23956 did not suffer as much from its conversion into a departmental coach in the 1960s. It retained most of the interior fittings including the later LNER seats. This coach is owned by the National Railway Museum and the LNER Coach Association have entered into a 12 year agreement to restore the vehicle using contract labour. To finance this an Application has been made to the National Lottery Heritage fund with the full support of the NRM.