After an initial series of EKW 49's that were converted to KKd 49's, the Deutsche Bundesbahn (West German Federal Railway) quickly began developing its own entirely new powder wagons. The findings from the conversion and operation of the KKd 49 were immediately incorporated into the new design. The result was the KKds 55 wagon type, which was intended for the transport of alumina. The vehicle frame rests on two type 931 Minden-Dorstfeld bogies. Since the basic structure of the powdered goods containers is integrated into the wagons' loadbearing structure, they do not require internal longitudinal beams. Advantageously, this made it possible to pull the container bottoms down a long way over the track.
The four silo containers of the same size included an emptying device with a dispersal base in each container. Compressed air was used to unload the cargo from the containers.
The small series (only 24 units) that was ordered from the Talbot wagon factory was delivered to the DB from 1954 onwards. As well as transporting alumina, aluminium oxide was also loaded into these wagons.
In addition, they were also leased to corresponding companies as private wagons. Due to the small total quantity, the wagons were all taken out of service by 1998.
