56504 Class 108 Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory

Home Railway	Llangollen Railway	Location History	Peak Rail Apr 93-Aug 98
Current Location	Llangollen Railway		Swanage Railway Aug 98-Jan 19
Current Status	Operational		Llangollen Railway Jan 19-Present
Current Livery	BR Green (Half Yellow Panel)
TRA Designation	4	Visited Railways	Eastleigh Works (Contract Overhaul) Jan 10-May 10
Partner Vehicle(s)	51933		Eastleigh Works (Contract Overhaul) Mar 14-Feb 15
Owner	Private
Website	llangollenrailcars.co.uk
Record Last Updated	1 April 2024
Preservation Modifications None
Preservation Information 56504 is believed to have been preserved in 1993 as part of a bulk buy of nine Class 108 vehicles (four sets). The sets were based at the owning group's headquarters at Peak Rail and it would seem that 56504 was initially paired with DMBS 50933. However 56504 was later reformed with 51933 were placed on long term loan to the Swanage Railway in Dorset in 1998. After arriving at Swanage 56504 was painted green and entered traffic operating off-peak services at the line. This involved use both in the low season when steam wasn't viable and as a second train during the mid season. During the high summer, 56504 was used on an unusual (for a preserved line) Friday/Saturday night shuttle trains which operated between 6pm and midnight! This ideal regular running all year round enabled the set to operate for many years reliably. In 2008 the original Peak Rail "empire" was broken up and all original vehicles sold on to new owners. This included 56504/51933 but the change in circumstance affected these vehicles less than the sets at Peak Rail, because as 56504 was already on loan, the vehicle was simply sold to the hirer and the set continued in service at Swanage until poor condition resulted in the vehicle being stored in 2009 awaiting overhaul. In 2010, with 56504 now owned by the railway, the decision was taken to fully overhaul the vehicle to ensure its operational future on the line. This was done on a contract basis between January and July. Interestingly, 56504 was hauled from Swanage to Eastleigh Works and back by rail, even enjoying steam haulage (provided by 30777 Sir Lamiel) on the return run. The overhaul consisted of a full external, internal and mechanical refresh which included a bodyside/roof repaint and reupholstered seating amongst other work. Between 2010 & 2014, 56504/51933 returned to its role as one of the primary operating sets on the Swanage Railway. In March 2014, 56504 was moved by rail once again to Eastleigh Works for a second overahul on a contract basis. The vehicle returned early the following year and re-entered service at Swanage. By 2018, 56504/51933 had been declared surplus to requirements by the Swanage Railway who, citing a shortage of space on the railway, felt that their Class 117 and Class 121 sets would be able to handle all services once they had been returned from Eastleigh where they had been receiving overhaul work to return them to mainline operating condition. 56504/51933 were consequently put up for sale and remained on the market for some time, continuing the operate Swanage Railway services. By early 2019 the set had found a private buyer who gave custody to the Llangollen Railcar Group. 56504 moved to its new home at the Llangollen Railway shortly afterwards and was immediately prepared for service. 2022 was a particularly busy year with 56504 doing its share of over 9,000 miles of running at the railway, which post-Covid had been using DMU's more than ever before. Winter 2023/24 saw 56504 undergo an internal refurbishment. The seating was stripped out allowing access for a deep clean and panelling repairs to the passenger saloons. The seating was reupholstered and frames repainted whilst they were removed and reassembly followed shortly afterwards, the vehicle being ready for service again at the start of the 2024 season. 56504/51933 continue to operate as part of the Llangollen Railcars fleet under a loan agreement.
Future Plans To maintain in service.

	M54504/M51933 stand at Llangollen working one of the first services to Berwyn after the reborn Llangolen Railway reopened following collapse, 8/8/21. Tim Barratt

	M54504 being shunted around to form the opening 6-car train for the socially distenced Llangollen initial services, 26/7/20. Llangollen Railcars

	Making one of its first public runs at the Llangollen Railway, M54504/M51933 is at Llangollen during the Railcar gala, 15/9/19. Chris Moxon

	56504/51933 call at Corfe Castle, 7/4/16. Steve Thomas

	56504/51933 arrive into Corfe Castle, 2015. Andrew Rothe

	56504 at Corfe Common in multiple with W55028, 6/8/13. Ron Fisher

	56504/51933 stabled at Swanage, 20/3/11. Bill Pugsley

	56504 at the end of the stock sidings at Harman's Cross. By this time the vehicle was out of traffic after many years service awaiting dispatch for overhaul at Eastleigh Works, 27/10/09. Chris Moxon

	56504 stabled at Corfe Castle, 10/5/08. Simon Edwards

	56504 berthed at Corfe Castle, May 2006. John Law

	56504 at Swanage, 10/11/02. Chris Walker

	54504/51933 call at Harmans Cross in 2000. Ian Hooper

	54504/53933 & 51566/59387/51933 in an impressive 5-car formation at Rowsley South, 14/3/97. David McGuire

	54504 at Darley Dale, 5/3/94. David McGuire

Interior

	Newly upholstered cab seating inside M54504, 29/1/24. Llangollen Railcars

	Newly upholstered first class seating inside M54504, 29/1/24. Llangollen Railcars

	Newly upholstered second class seating inside M54504, 29/1/24. Llangollen Railcars