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 The wagons were rapidly withdrawn after the 'Speedlink' service was discontinued; 436 vans were in service at the end of 1990 but by August 1994 only 97 were shown on BR books. By 2008, only two VDA vans remained.