56224 Class 108 Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory

Home Railway	Keith & Dufftown Railway	Location History	East Kent Railway Jul 93-Dec 96
Current Location	Keith & Dufftown Railway		Mid Norfolk Railway Dec 96-Mar 04
Current Status	Operational		Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Mar 04-Mar 10
Current Livery	BR Green (Plain End)		Keith & Dufftown Railway Mar 10-Present
TRA Designation	4
Partner Vehicle(s)	50628
Owner	Private
Website	www.keith-dufftown-railway.co.uk
Record Last Updated	19 November 2022
Preservation Modifications Named "Spirit of Speyside"
Preservation Information 56224 was withdrawn in September 1992 and preserved along with partner 51572 the following year, initially based at the East Kent Railway. However in 1995 following a dispute, all of the East Kent Railway’s DMUs were sold, 56224 & 51572 being acquired by Railcar Enterprises and relocated to the Mid Norfolk Railway in 1996. By 1999, 56224 was running, and (with 51572 & 55006) formed the opening train to Wymondham on the MNR during May that year. In 2003 or 2004, 56224 was repainted out of Network SouthEast and into early blue with half yellow panel and white roof dome. In 2004 Railcar Enterprises moved to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, and 56224 was relocated there where it continued operating services. 51572 was sold on before the move and 56224 was partnered with Class 117 51360 at the EVR. In 2009 the vehicle received new batteries. In 2010, surplus to requirements, the vehicle was sold to the Keith & Dufftown Railway where it joined the other Class 108 vehicles there. 56224 proved useful as a flexible vehicle enabling others to be withdrawn for maintenance. The vehicle therefore had no fixed partner, being used in different sets as required, for example for much of the 2012 season, 50628 was in serice with 50628 . Spring 2013 saw the vehicle repainted into BR Green to match the other vehicles resident on the line. 56224 remains in traffic. It normally operates paired with 50628 .
Future Plans To maintain in service.

	56224, now named the "Spirit of Speyside", at Dufftown, 8/10/18. Deborah Stokes

	56224 at Dufftown shortly after repainting into BR Green livery to match the other four Class 108 vehicles already operating, 9/3/13. Ben Angus

	M56224 in service at Dufftown, 9/4/12. Anon Mouse

	M56224 stabled at Dufftown, 19/8/11. Ian McLoughlin

	M56224 in service, 3/6/11. John Carter

	M56224 arriving into Wirksworth during the 2009 Railcar Convention, 3/10/09. Chris Moxon

	Corridor view of M56224 during the 2009 Railcar Convention, 3/10/09. Chris Moxon

	Night study of M56224 during the 2009 Railcar Convention, 3/10/09. Chris Moxon

	M56224 shortly after repainting at the MId Norfolk Railway. Martin Reeve

	54224 & 51572 stabled at Dereham, 23/3/03. David Beardmore

	54224 & 51572 on the Mid-Norfolk Railway, 16/9/01. Paul Moxon

	54224 (51572 was behind buit not visible in the photo) stabled in the main passenger platform at Shepherdswell on the East kent Railway. Its location in the platform is suggestive that the set was operating passenger servicesa round this time, 1994. Paul Sturm

Interior

	View of the middle saloon, 3/10/09. Chris Moxon

	View of the rear saloon, 3/10/09. Chris Moxon