56160 Class 103 Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory

Home Railway

Private Site: Denbigh

Location History

Battlefield Line Jul 78-Mar 96

Current Location

Private Site: Denbigh

Private Site: Snetterton Mar 96-Feb 01

Current Status

Stored

Private Site: Dunstable Feb 01-Jan 02

Current Livery

Green Primer

Private Site: Denbigh Jan 02-Present

TRA Designation

3

Partner Vehicle(s)

None

Owner

Richard Thornton

Website

www.recycledrailcars.com

Record Last Updated

1 August 2024

Preservation Modifications
56160 was converted from a DMU into a coach in the winter of 1978-79. The cab controls and wiring were removed, the front MU jumpers and junction boxes were removed, the lighting circuit (which was modified to work from simple light switches) was wired directly to the battery charging socket and all control and fuses boxes below the vehicle were removed but the main front to rear control wiring trunking was retained, along with the MU jumpers at the rear and the main junction box beneath the cab desk, although all were isolated.

The cab was modified to improve forward view and prevent entry, the saloon to cab door was removed, the outer edges of partitions were replaced by handrails and glazing removed, the control desk was covered in laminate covered wood, and units built out alongside the cab doors, which had lower hinges, handles and locks removed and were sealed. The headcode box was removed and sealed, the remains of the winding mechanism and lighting, the remains of the cab ventilation system and the base of the driver's seat (which surprisingly still worked) were found beneath the sealed unit when it was opened in 2000, although having rusted by damp ingress into the sealed area.

The braking system was converted from that of a DMU trailer to that of a coach, the driver's control was removed and the pipe capped, the vacuum and AWS gauges were removed, and the piping beneath the control desk simplified to form a single circuit serving the emergency control only with the feed valves and piping nearby removed. A number of modifications were made to the brake mechanism beneath the floor - the vacuum reservoirs and piping serving them were removed. The communication chord release mechanism was retained and the handbrake mechanism was retained.

The railcar heating system (oil fired burners with air sucked in by side mounted blowers and blown past elements into vehicle) was removed and steam heating fitted to the rear and middle driver's side saloons. The driver's side rear windows were badly damaged by vandals so single panes of glass were fitted, the vehicle was fitted with tables and chairs in the second class in the place of the absent seats, although first class seats remained and wall - to - wall carpeting.

Preservation Information
56160 was stored at Penzance (Long Rock), Plymouth, Didcot, Old Oak Common and Harwich until finally arriving into preservation at Shackerstone in 1978. The vehicle was pressed into service without overhaul in March 1979 and was repainted into coaching stock maroon livery.

56160 was converted from a DMU into a coach in the winter of 1978-79, see the section above for a comprehensive description of the modifications.

In 1986, 56160 appears to have been repainted, losing its lining at waist height and the roof guttering.

56160 soldered on until 1992 and then it was withdrawn after 14 years of service with worn out brake gear, never having cost more than a primitave conversion and a couple of repaints.

It was used as a stores vehicle until 1994, the seats and tables having been removed. 56160 deteriorated, and having not been asbestos stripped, was increasingly regarded as beyond economic repair for the Battlefield Line.

56160 has since been at several private sites with little improvement in condition in 10 years. However, from the 2010's work recommenced, with the vehicle glazed and made weatherproof.  The buffer beams and sole bars were stripped and repainted and the multiple working jumper sockets refitted.  Many components were restored 'off vehicle' ready for refitting. New hand rails were cast.

From 2020 the much required exterior bodywork was started, with some welding and bodywork completed at the corridor and cab ends, but sadly following the Covid-19 pandemic restoration stalled.

In 2024 the owner of the vehicle announced that he was to scrap the vehicle and that it would not be offered for sale to others.

Future Plans
The owner apparently wishes to scrap the vehicle in the future without offering it for sale to others.

Cab front with a temporary coat of yellow applied, much of the bodywork at this end having been completed, 10/20. Richard Thornton

The secondmans side cab corner, before renewal, 30/8/20. Richard Thornton

The secondmans side cab corner, after renewal, 30/8/20. Richard Thornton

End lettering applied to the corridor end of 56160, 30/8/20. Richard Thornton

56160 being worked on in the early evening, 30/12/18. Richard Thornton

Tentative bodywork has led to the corridor end being the first area in many years to see fresh paint! 25/8/17. Richard Thornton

Underframe cleaning and painting progressing on 56160, 13/9/16. Richard Thornton

56160 during further asbestos stripping, 16/11/18. Richard Thornton

56160 during further asbestos stripping, 16/11/18. Richard Thornton

56160 being prepared for further asbestos stripping, 16/11/15. Richard Thornton

56160 close to floodwater as the river burst its banks, 28/11/12. Richard Thornton

56160 at Bodfari, 24/5/09. Richard Thornton

56160’s front end at Bodfari. Richard Thornton

56160 at Bodfari. Dave Bramley

56160 now with repainted bufferbeam. Phillip Cotton

56160 at Bodfari. Phillip Cotton

56160 at Bodfari, 12/10/05. Alf Roberts

56160 at Bodfari, 12/10/05. Alf Roberts

56160 at Bodfari, 12/10/05. Alf Roberts

56160 at Bodfari, 12/10/05. Alf Roberts

56160 now in green primer at Bodfari, 21/3/03. Peter Wreford

56160 now in green primer at Bodfari, 21/3/03. Peter Wreford

56160 stored at Dunstable, 1/2/02. Alf Roberts

56160 now at Dunstable, 21/7/01. Alf Roberts

56160 now at Dunstable, 21/7/01. Alf Roberts

56160 now at Dunstable, 21/7/01. Alf Roberts

56160 now at Dunstable, 21/7/01. Alf Roberts

56160 at Snetterton, 31/1/01. Alf Roberts

56160 at Snetterton, Mar 00. Alf Roberts

56160 at Snetterton. Alf Roberts

56160 at Snetterton. Alf Roberts

56160 at Snetterton. Alf Roberts

56160 in loco hauled stock on the Battlefield Line, May 1988. John Evans

56160 in use as an observation saloon at Shackerstone. Alf Roberts

56160 in use as hauled stock at Shackerstone, 5/8/79. Chris Lings

56160's first class saloon after further asbestos stripping, which resulted in the loss of the floor amongst other items, 13/12/15. Richard Thornton

The remains of the cab, 2001. Alf Roberts

The remains of the cab, 2001. Alf Roberts

The remains of the cab, 2001. Alf Roberts

The rear saloon, 2001. Alf Roberts

56160’s cab at Dunstable. Alf Roberts

56160’s first class saloon at Snetterton in 2000. Alf Roberts

56160’s first class saloon at Snetterton in 2000. Alf Roberts

56160’s middle saloon at Snetterton in 2000. Alf Roberts

56160’s rear saloon at Snetterton in 2000. Alf Roberts

56160’s cab after observation saloon conversion. Alf Roberts