[2] The first order for 56 FM vans was approved by the last Cabinet meeting of the Rowling Labour Government on 18 November 1975 for $4.32 million.

[5] Among recommendations was reducing locomotive crews from two to one, and the replacement of guards and vans with Train End Monitors (TEMs).

The editorial expressed the view it was an outrage these extravagant vans were being ordered so one man could ride around the country at the time secondary passenger services were being eliminated in New Zealand on a scale virtually unparalleled in the western world.

In 1991, AG 124 was modified with one of the LM modules converted to provide greater outdoor accommodation for passengers, and both ends fitted with better railings.

This van was for use on the TranzAlpine, where it proved extremely popular and a few years later AG 239, with a 110 kVA generator for air-conditioned cars, incorporated the same feature.

In 1998, AG 90, out of service since its involvement in the 25 August 1993 level crossing collision between the Southerner and a concrete mixer truck at Rolleston, was repaired and had a new 175 kVA generator installed, for duty on the TranzAlpine.

After the arrival of the SD cars they were released back into the general pool, with two exceptions: AG 222 was further overhauled and painted as a spare generator and extra luggage capacity for Metlink's Wairarapa Connection trains; AG 118 moved to Dunedin with 13 ex-Wairarapa 56 ft carriages, leased to the Dunedin Railways minus bogies.

A number of the vans have ended up in service for in KiwiRail's non-revenue fleet, for example, Research Test Car EA 7501,[10] EBC 27 for the ballast cleaning support vehicles,[11] ECL 58 for the concrete sleeper layer train,[12] and ETR 17 as the radio test vehicle.

In addition, the Gisborne City Vintage Railway has two vans substantially modified to passenger carriages for mainline use.

One of these vans, at Plimmerton, has been modified with one of the LM modules converted to a viewing platform similar to the Tranz Scenic conversions.

The GM module has been partitioned to accommodate a generator and a loco crew compartment, and the other LM left for luggage.