56168 Class 103 Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory (Scrapped)

Last Location	West Somerset Railway	Location History	West Somserset Railway Dec 75-May 91
Current Status	Scrapped at Mayer Parry, Snailwell 1991
Last Livery	Non Standard Green (Full Yellow End)
Partner Vehicle(s)	50414
Record Last Updated	1 October 2020
Preservation Modifications None
Preservation Information 56168 was withdrawn from BR service in 1972 after just 15 years service. It was puchased along with several other 103 vehicles by the embryonic West Somserset Railway and stored at Taunton. They moved on to the railway in December 1975 in readiness for the opening in March 1976. Ten years of intensive service followed, as up to five DMU sets were in use on the railway as economical traction at that time. In Dec 1989, all of the first generation DMU’s on the WSR were taken out of service because of asbestos. 56168 was viewed as in poor condition and the railway decided to standardise on DMU types; choosing to retain a fleet of 115/117 suburban vehicles instead. Of the five sets located on the line, 56168 (and its partner 50414) was one of two sets unable to find a new home, and they were subsequently scrapped in 1991.

	56168 & 50414 at Minehead, 16/3/91. Neil Harrison

	56168/50414 at Minehead, 23/8/87. David McGuire

	56168 & 50414 departing Minehead. This set was scrapped on the West Somerset Railway and provided spares for 50413 & 56169 which is now the HRDG unit, 9/8/87.Helston Diesel Group

	This is thought to be 56168, branded set 201 and with 50414 at Bishops Lydeard, 8/6/86. David Underwood

	An undated view of "set 201", 56168 & 50414 on the WSR. Steve Kemp

	56168 at Minehead, snowed in at some time during the early 1980's. Brian King

	56168 at Williton, 1982.John Law

	Thought to be 56168 at Minehead during the early years of the line. Phil Trotter