56491 Class 108 Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory

Home Railway	Keith & Dufftown Railway	Location History	East Anglian Railway Museum Jul 93-Nov 05
Current Location	Keith & Dufftown Railway		Keith & Dufftown Railway Nov 05-Present
Current Status	Operational
Current Livery	BR Green (Half Yellow Panel)	Visited Railways	Bressingham Steam & Gardens May 04-May 05
TRA Designation	4
Partner Vehicle(s)	50628 or 51568
Owner	Keith & Dufftown Railway
Website	www.keith-dufftown-railway.co.uk
Record Last Updated	1 August 2024
Preservation Modifications Heavy interior modifications following the vehicle's conversion to a bar car in 2022. Little remains of the original interior with most lighting, fittings, paneling, seating and flooring having been either removed or replaced. The three saloons mostly have loose armchairs and tables fitted with a whiskey bar in the centre.
Preservation Information 56491 was latterly based at Reading before withdrawal in December 1992. Preserved the following year by Diesel Unit Preservation Associates Limited (DUPA), the vehicle was moved to the East Anglian Railway Museum with 50599, starting a fleet of Class 108 vehicles. In 1994, 56491 was repainted into BR Green and interior restoration was undertaken. However the size of the fleet combined with the EARM's small running line resulted in 56491 not seeing much use. It was therefore employed on loan to Bressingham where it was used as a hauled coach on busy days behind steam locomotives on their short demonstration line. The vehicle was later returned to the East Anglian Railway Museum. When DUPA decided to downsize their Class 108 fleet to one 2-car set they wished to retain two matching early build vehicles at the EARM. To facilitate this, 56223 was recalled from its loan to the Keith & Dufftown Railway and 56491 was sent north to replace it and then sold to the KDR. Since 2010, the arrival of new vehicles and maintenance requirements led to 56491 operating in different sets as required. During 2022 the vehicle was heavily modified into a bar car, losing most of its original interior fittings. Lighting was replaced, luggage racks removed, side panels replaced and in some cases windows panelled over. Curtains were added throughout. Original second class seating was turned 90 degrees and refitted into the former first class saloon, whilst the other two saloons lost all the original seating in favour of lose tables and armchairs. Tartan pattern carpets were fitted throughout the vehicle, and a whiskey bar added to the middle saloon. Some bulkeads were removed but the original vestibule layout survived.
Future Plans To maintain in service.

	56491 undergoing major interior conversion works inside the shed at Dufftown, 14/8/22. Darren JB

	56491, on this occasion split off from the rake and stabled in the platform at Dufftown, 8/10/18. Deborah Stokes

	56491 stabled at Dufftown, 9/4/12. Anon Mouse

	56491 stabled at Duffown, 19/8/11. Ian McLoughlin

	56491 in service at Keith Town, 17/5/08. David Beardmore

	56491 at the East Anglian Railway Museum, 31/5/01. Stuart Mackay

	Corridor view of 56491 at Chappel & Wakes Colne, 11/10/99. David McGuire

	During an April Thomas event (year unknown), 56491 split the points at Chappel and came to grief straddling two lines!

Interior

	The rear saloon, showing the loose tables and seats, 2022. Tommy Henderson

	The middle saloon featuring the whiskey bar, 2022. Tommy Henderson

	The former first class saloon, stripped out part way through the conversion to a bar car, 2022. Tommy Henderson