British Rail Universal Trolley Equipment

A lever on the front operated brakes on the rear wheels and lifted the coupling pin.

The BRUTE was designed by the BR Materials Handling team, led by John Travers Cosgrove[2] and supported by Gordon Holland.

Their first use was on the Western Region on parcels services connecting 20 stations between Paddington, Bristol and Carmarthen.

[citation needed] Unlike traditional station trolleys, they were loaded each with parcels for a particular destination and wheeled into the train.

[6] Modified bogie General Utility Vans (GUVs) had hinged beams that folded down inside the double doors to protect them from bursting open if a BRUTE hit them.

[8] Many four-wheeled British Rail-built Covered Carriage Trucks (CCTs) were fitted with chains inside to stop BRUTEs moving during transit.

A preserved BRUTE at the Museum of the Great Western Railway
A number of BRUTEs sold for further use at Newton Abbot ; none retain their straps. The third from the right is an example of the special type with a front but no sides or ends.
A GUV modified to carry BRUTEs – note the absence of footsteps below the doors. The yellow sticker is missing but the space where it was can be seen at the extreme right of the side, next to the two sets of ventilators.