The original LNER design brake vans could be identified from the British railways standard version by the shorter foot boards (ending at the axleboxes, vs BR vans had footboards reaching to the end of the vehicle) and lack of grab rails alonside the end platforms. The British Railways design was also usually ballasted with concrete, making the end platforms several inches higher than the LNER design which accomodated sufficient cast iron weights within the depth of the chassis frame.