| Background: |
|
| Brake Post Office stowage van | |
| Service: | 1959–2004 |
| Manufacturer: | BR Wolverton & York |
| Family: | British Railways Mark 1 |
| Fleetnumbers: | 80450–80458 |
| Operator: | British Railways |
| Numberbuilt: | 9 |
| Yearconstruction: | 1959, 1968 |
| Carlength: | 64feet |
| Width: | 9feet |
| Height: | 12feet |
| Maxspeed: | 90- |
| Weight: | 34- |
| Hvac: | Dual (steam & electric), ETH 3 or 4 |
| Bogies: | BR2 or B5 |
| Brakes: | Vacuum or Dual (Air & Vacuum) |
A brake Post Office stowage van is a type of rail vehicle built for use in a travelling post office.
British Rail built nine of these vehicles between 1959 and 1968, to two similar designs, both based on the Mark 1 coach design. They were numbered in the range 80450-80458. Following the Great Train Robbery, vehicles from 80456 onwards featured a revised design with smaller windows.
In the early 1970s, British Rail introduced the TOPS classification system. Vehicles were given the TOPS code NU, followed by an A if they were air-braked, V if vacuum-braked, or an X if they had both air and vacuum brakes.
All three of the latter-build Mk1 vehicles have been preserved. Also a survivor from GWR has also made it into preservation.