Bigboy

That is because the Dapol Interfrigo Van is not a train-ferry type, being built to the larger continental loading gauge which precludes its use in Britain. It also does not have vaccuum brakes or even a vaccuum conduit pipe which would be require for working in British express trains of the period, I do not have a copy of David Ratclife's book but the Interfrigo vehicles shown on Paul Bartlet's site (referenced elsewhere in this thread) are a different type which was specially designed for ferry working. If you look at the first photo on his site it shows one working in a British train and coupled to another ferry van from an unknown administration. Note. 1. The vaccuum pipes are connected. 2. The vaccuum standpipe of the Interfrigo vehicle is painted white which means it is a through conduit only. 3. The vehicle has the yellow painted lugs for attaching the holding down chains while aboard a ferry. 4, The vehicle bears the anchor symbol which indicates it is suitable for ferry traffic. The vehicles which are the prototype of the Dapol one were a standard basic design used by a number of different railways and fitted out internally for some different traffics. Several model manufacturers have offered these in HO in a variety of styles and liveries. The majority of Interfrigo vans were registered by the FS (Italy) and attached to Chiasso which is on the Swiss/Italian border and has a large Interfrigo depot, used, I believe for customs inspection. Interfrigo's administrative headquarters are located further north in Basel, Switzerland. Hope this helps, Alex