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 (Speed Whsikers)

Visited Railways

Bressingham Steam & Gardens May 04-May 05

TRA Designation

4

Partner Vehicle(s)

51568

Owner

Keith & Dufftown Railway

Website

www.keith-dufftown-railway.co.uk

Record Last Updated

7 March 2026

Preservation Modifications
Named "Uisge Beatha" which it carries on the cab front. It has also received several electrical modifications to make maintenance easier, including a GPS speedometer and modern replacement cab switches, control switches, diagnostic panels and EP valves. 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 front saloon has original seating rotated sideways, whilst the middle saloon and rear three saloons have loose armchairs and tables fitted with a whiskey bar in the centre. The vehicle now seats 32.

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 loose 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.

Relaunched as the "Dram Tram", 56491 proved highly successful for the railway's unique Whiskey themed market, so much so that a second vehicle was converted in 2025 to join 56491 as a full 2-car set to run on standalone specials or in multiple with a standard service set.

56491 now runs regularly during the season as the "Dram Tram" paired with DMCL 51568.

Future Plans
To maintain in service.

"Dram Tram" 56491/51568 at Dufftown about to be coupled up to 53628/52053 to form a 4-car formation for the afternoon Whiskey trains which were being added onto the normal service, 1/8/25. Chris Moxon

56491 stabled at Dufftown, 16/8/24. Ken Jones

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 a Thomas weekend, 56491 (left) is in use as hauled stock and acting as "Daisy". 51568/52053 can also be seen stabled on the right, 15/4/98. Peter E Thompson

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

56491's cab (driver's side), 1/8/25. Chris Moxon

56491's cab (secondman's side), 1/8/25. Chris Moxon

56491's driving controls, 1/8/25. Chris Moxon

56491's former first class saloon a few years after conversion to the "Dram Tram". There are now ten second class seats arranged longitudinally with loose tables, 1/8/25. Chris Moxon

56491's middle saloon a few years after conversion to the "Dram Tram". There are now 10 loose chairs with tables and a whiskey bar, 1/8/25. Chris Moxon

A view showing the whiskey bar inside 56491, 1/8/25. Chris Moxon

56491's rear saloon a few years after conversion to the "Dram Tram". There are now 8 loose chairs with tables, 1/8/25. Chris Moxon

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