The BR standard brake vans could still be found in service in the 1980s, many receiving the new Railfreight grey and red livery. The TOPS CAR code denoted a guards' brake van fitted with through pipes for both vacuum and air brake systems.
Brake vans were not normally needed on goods trains, however trains of especially dangerous goods including nuclear flask trains conveyed a brake van so the guards would not have to pass the hazardous cars in the event of a derailment. Many vans were also usefully employed as riding vans for train crews and shunters, coupled to class 08 shunting locomotives.
Era 8 1982-1994