The class were built with a side profile identical to British Railways Mark 1 carriage stock, using the same doors and windows.

The electrification of the lines from London King's Cross and the introduction of the Class 313 EMUs in 1976 led to the withdrawal of many Cravens units.

Norwich was the last depot to operate the Cravens units, with set 30 being returned to green livery, and gaining some celebrity status towards the end of its service life.

For coupling codes see British United Traction Due to the use of asbestos in their construction, and extended usage by BR, the class has fared very badly in preservation.

The National Railway Museum had intended to preserve 53812 - which had been stripped of asbestos but a lack of space prevented this car and the Class 100 coupled to it from being moved to York and they were vandalised beyond repair at Crewe.