The volunteers hope to raise more funds for the restoration project

Volunteers from Swanage Railway raised �30,000 in order to bring the Pullman observation coach back.

Following its arrival from the US, it will be transported from Southampton on Monday to Swanage, Dorset, so it can be restored and used on the Purbeck Line.

The carriage built in 1947 was once hauled by the famous Flying Scotsman.

Near original condition

The Flying Scotsman steam locomotive was at the cutting edge of high-speed transport 80 years ago, travelling 400 miles every journey and breaking the 100mph barrier almost every time.

The Pullman coach was left on the quayside in San Francisco at the end of the ill-fated Flying Scotsman tour of the US and Canada in 1971.

The tour, which was supposed to promote British industry, had started as a great success but ran into trouble after financial backers withdrew support.

The Flying Scotsman returned to the UK but some of the carriages were left in the US.

'New working life'

Steve Doughty, Swanage Railway Trust deputy chairman, said: "Used variously as a cafe, conference room and a humble store over the last 30 years, the owners have decided to renovate the offices and concluded that they no longer require the coach.

"Agreement has been reached with the Swanage Railway Trust for the coach to return home, not just to England but to Southern Railway metals and a new working life on the Swanage Railway.

"Although some refurbishment will be required, Car 14 retains many of its original features, offering the Swanage Railway Trust the potential to return the coach to near original condition."