Originally built by Metro Cammell Ltd. in 1957 as S35021 and allocated to the Southern Region, it became M99201 upon reallocation to the Midland Region and conversion to a SLB Bullion Van in May 1966.
Later the SLB TOPS code was changed to be VXX when the vehicle was reclassified as freight stock in October 1985.
A further renumbering to 889301 occurred in October 1985 when the vehicle was allocated to MoD traffic, such as the secure movement of ammunition. At the same time the livery was changed from BR Corporate Blue/Grey to Army Green with oversized Railfreight Distribution sub-sector markings.
In 1966 BR decided to convert five (5) Mk1 BSK coaches for the transportation of bullion (in ordinary passenger services and later dedicated trains as well) as a result of a security review after the Great Train Robbery in 1963.
The conversion involved the internal fitting of a high security cage, radio communications equipment and high security glass. Externally, changes included the plating over most of the windows, fitment of heavy duty B5 bogies, corridor gangway connection removal and modifications to the roof such as the addition of two pods and the movement of the ventilators.
Britannia Pacific Models make a ready to run model of this coach type, details are available at Britannia Pacific Mk1 Bullion Van
BR MK1 VXX 889301 at MOD Kineton.
Photo: Kevin Stroud
| NPCCS | Metro-Cammell | BR Mk1 SLB/VXX | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built: | 1957 | Works №: | 35021 | ||||||||
| Builder: | Metro Cammell Ltd. | Type: | Mk1 BSK converted to SLB/VXX Bullion Van | ||||||||
| Diagram №: | 182 (AB02/NW501) | Weight: | N/A | ||||||||
| Length: | 64 ft 06 in | Lot №: | 30229 | ||||||||
| № of Seats: | N/A | Load Capacity: | N/A | ||||||||
| Made Redundant / Withdrawn: | N/A | Date Preserved: | 2008 | ||||||||
| Arrived at NLR: | 2008 | Current Status: | Operational | ||||||||