Moving into the post war British Railways 1947-70 period a large number of vans were built on a 10ft wheel base chassis and vacuum braked. These, together with many similar vans passed form the regional railways, were seen everywhere on the B.R. system.
Whilst the chassis was standardised the box body could be formed from vertical or horizontal planking or plywood sides. The van ends could be wooden or made of corrugated steel. Some goods were carried in unventilated units however many products required ventilation to prevent deterioration. This ventilation came in many forms and trains of vans were often formed of many mixed types.
Some products such as meat, fish and fruit were carried in insulated or specially ventilated vans formed in express trains to move them from port to market as fast as possible. Insulated vans were often painted white or blue to indicate their use.
