17464 is one example of a expansive class of brake vans built for the Great Western Railway (GWR), all known as “Toad Brakevans”. 17464 was built in 1940 by the GWR to the diagram AA21. As part of this diagram, the vehicle looks almost identical to our other toad brakevan, 68784, but has got several key differences. One such difference is that the van is fully fitted. IE, it has functioning vacuum brakes fitted that allows the locomotive to apply its brakes when it is connected to the vacuum pipe.

This Van was acquired by the 813 Fund in 1994 and was restored at Bitton jointly by the AVR Wagon Department and the 813 Fund. With restoration starting in 2012 shortly after the vehicle arrived at the railway.