The VDA van is a type of air-braked closed van built by BR between 1969 and 1977. The vans, reminiscent of a classic vent van albeit extended served a very similar purpose to their stout predecessors. The VDA was a general use van designed to haul anything and everything.
The VDA vans were used on 'Speedlink' services designed to quickly haul general freight around the country. The wagons were rapidly withdrawn after the 'Speedlink' service was discontinued, many of them being adopted by the engineering departments as materials carriers.
This van carries the red and yellow paint scheme applied by the Signal & Telegraph department with their SATLINK lettering and allocation to the Western region engineers.