56495 Class 108 Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory

Home Railway	West Somerset Railway	Location History	Northampton & Lamport Railway Nov 94-Oct 99
Current Location	West Somerset Railway		Dean Forest Railway Oct 99-Jun 08
Current Status	Stored		Kirklees Light Railway Dec 08-Jul 24
Current Livery	Non Standard Blue with Baloons		West Somerset Railway Sep 24-Present
TRA Designation	4
Partner Vehicle(s)	None	Visited Railways	Midland Railway Butterley (Contract Overhaul) Jun 08-Dec 08
Owner	West Somerset Railway		Private Site: Unknown Jul 24-Sep 24
Website
Record Last Updated	16 November 2024
Preservation Modifications The original 24V lighting has been removed from all passenger saloons and replaced with 240V examples. The second class areas have had the original panelling below the windows replaced with domestic wood effect versions, and the lino flooring is now laminate! No original seating survives other than the first class examples, with the two second class saloons now being an open plan space. All of the above was toi suit the vehicle's static role at the Kirklees Light Railway.
Preservation Information 56495 was preserved at the Northampton & Lamport Railway in 1994. The vehicle was later aquired by the Dean Forest DMU Group in 1999 where it joined three Class 108 vehicles at the Dean Forest Railway. The intention was for 56495 to join DMBS 51914 creating a second Power-Trailer set. Restoration was steady and although 56495 was operating as part of a four car set less than a month after its arrival, there was considerable work still to be completed, so the vehicle did not see regular passenger use. In 2008 the Dean Forest DMU Group aquired TSL 59387 and DMCL 51566 in order to form a 3-car set with 51914. This rendered 56495 redundant from the collection, and the vehicle was sold to the Kirklees Light Railway. In mid 2008 the vehicle went to the Midland Railway Butterley for contract restoration. It was repainted green and made suitable for use as a static classroom. This involved a bogie swap between several other vehicles with 56495 gaining the most worn examples, as they would not be required for its new role. An unusual feature was Class 101 style cream lining being applied. By the end of the year, the vehicle had been moved to its new home at Clayton West where it was used as a static coach. In 2015, the vehicle was brightened up by receiving a repaint into "party blue" with bunting and baloon logos on the exterior. By 2024 the Kirklees Light Railway had decided that 56495 was surplus to requirements and would be scrapped, with no spare parts offered to other organisations. The vehicle was duly removed from Clayton West in July of that year and was presumed to have been scrapped shortly afterwards. However in a surprise move, 56495 arrived two months later at the West Somerset Railway having dodged death! It is assumed that during the time it was "missing" it was stored in a haulage yard? 56495 has been held in storage since arrival.
Future Plans Unconfirmed reports suggest that the vehicle has been purchased to be restored and run with either Class 117 51354 or a WSR based Class 115 powercar to either form a second DMU set or allow powercars to be rotated out for overhaul works. However a lot of work is required to 56495 itself before it could fulfil such a function.

	56495 at Williton, awaiting the start of overhaul works, 26/9/24. Harry Spencer

	56495 at Williton, awaiting the start of overhaul works, 26/9/24. Harry Spencer

	56495 being transported away from the Kirklees Light Railway, 18/7/24. Whistlestop Valley

	56495 being prepared for loading onto road transport, 18/7/24. Whistlestop Valley

	56495 in its usual spot, 14/9/19. David Bellamy

	56495 still looking good at Clayton West, 31/7/17. Andy Jackson

	The corridor end of 56495, 5/9/16. Luke McMahon

	56495 remains at kirklees, 9/15. Ian Dobson

	56495 having recently been repainted into a fun livery, 8/8/15. Lewis Matthew

	56495 at Clayton West, 27/4/11. David McGuire

	The vehicle is a static display, to be used as a base for schools and groups visiting the railway, 10/12/08. Stuart Ross

	On arrival at the Kirklees Light Railway. Note the Met-Camm style lining! 8/12/08. Stuart Ross

	In the yard at Butterley, in the company of 101 692, Derby Lightweight 79612 (blue) and Class 108 51935, 27/9/08. Daniel Adkins

	The vehicle was loaded onto a lorry on the evening of 9/6/08 (after delivering M51566 behind from Peak Rail) which took it to the Midland Railway Butterley the next morning, 9/6/08. Chris Bull

	Stabled at Norchard, it's extensive restoration well advanced, 7/5/07. Daniel Adkins

	56495 undergoing bodywork restoration, 7/4/03. Chris Walker

	56495 in the platform at Norchard on the Dean Forest Railway, 16/6/01. Stuart Mackay

Interior

	The relatively original cab of 56495, 26/9/24. Harry Spencer

	The relatively original first class saloon inside 56495, 26/9/24. Harry Spencer

	The modified second class saloon inside 56495, 26/9/24. Harry Spencer