A LUXURY buffet carriage once used on the whisky train from Bristol to London is the latest addition to the Steam museum.

The Bristolian buffet car rolled out of the Swindon's GWR works in 1934. Until 1961, it was a regular visitor to the town's station en route to London.

Now it has returned to the town to take up residence among Steam's collection of locos and memorabilia.

Buffet Car Number 9631 was one of only two American-style diners built by GWR. Its art deco lines immediately evoke the 1930s era.

On the inside it is a relic of a more decadent age when first-class passengers sat on leather stools at the polished bar.

The GWR's own-brand whisky was said to be one of the most popular tipples amongst passengers.

Steam spokeswoman Emma Valentine said: "People love it. It's the type of exhibit you can get into and walk around."