Some were also provided with traductor arms and/or nets for the transfer of mail pouches between lineside equipment and the van.

They were used on the Great Western TPO service (Paddington to Penzance) until 1959, after which they were used on the Southern Region between London and the ports in Kent.

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.