BR 12 Ton Plywood Fruit Van - when were they last used?

[JohnH]

As per the title - 

 

The BR 12 Ton Plywood Fruit Van as modelled by Bachmann , when were they last used in revenue traffic?(not engineers or internal use)

Did they receive a TOPS coding? Many thanks for any help.

Edited January 8, 2019 by JohnH

[AberdeenBill]

Hi John,

 

Their last revenue use was probably around the mid-1970s. So far as I can see there wasn't a specific TOPS code for a Fruit Van and they would presumably have been coded as general ventilated vans (VVV).

 

Thanks,

Bill

[Simon Lee]

 

I recall dealing with in Hull New Yard October/November 1974.

[JohnH]

Thanks Bill and Simon for the information.

 

Best regards

 

John.

[andy stroud]

BR standard 12ton vans lasted until the early 80s. I think these were similar to 'fruit' vans but without the small ventilators along the bottom of the bodywork. Some had planked bodywork and some had plywood. A bit more common by then were 'vanwides'. These were similar but with wider doors.

Edited January 9, 2019 by andy stroud

[Steamport Southport]

Some photos here.

 

https://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/brfruitvan

 

Seems to suggest they were transferred to departmental duties around the mid 1970s. One seemingly still in use at Kidderminster 1973.

 

 

 

Jason