THEODORA was built in 1926 to restriction ‘0' dimensions for use on London - Tunbridge Wells - Hastings services. The Car was constructed by the Metropolitan Carriage and Wagon Company and the Pullman Car Company's running number was 184. There was originally accommodation for 20 in two saloons. The wall panelling was mahogany, with centres of rich amboyna, surrounded by garlands of flowers in natural colours. The carpet was in brownish grey with seating in similar colours. Seating was changed in February 1932 to twelve first and eleven third class passengers and the small four compartment coupe was transferred from the lavatory end to the middle of the carriage.
Stored during World War 2, in 1946 the car was again remodelled to first class, with a revised seating arrangement, whilst retaining the coupe. It was used with two of its sisters on Ocean Liner expresses between London and Southampton, with occasional use of race trains. In July 1958 the car was repainted in Southern Region green, lost its name, became a non-supplement buffet car No. 184, and was equipped with a larger bar. It was sold to BR in November 1960, became S7874S and was withdrawn in 1963. The car was purchased by the K&ESR in 1964 and delivered to the line via Robertsbridge that September. THEODORA was used as a static buffet car until 1986 but then fell out of use. Following a bequest and a grant from the Millennium Commission, THEODORA returned to service in March 2005 as the bar car in the Wealden Pullman dining train.