The post-war standard bogie van was the 36'-0" long VD class. Unlike the V class (which was a bogie version of the D) and the VA/VB design (which was essentially a bogie DA) the VD class was based on the FD class louvred van. This was probably a mistake and over the years the sides of the vans were progressively boarded up as repairs took place. This closely paralleled the process going on with the FD's. However, the final variant illustrated by VD23075 (bottom right) did not become a new class like the FDF class vans.

There was a total of 180 VD class vans built in 1952 (23001-23030) and 1953(23031-23180) by Societe Metalurgique D'Engien. From an early point in their lives variants arose. The first was the VDR class freezer conversion of 23024 in 1956. The similar WVD class conversion of 23026, 23131 and 23140 followed in 1957. More VDRs were created in 1958 (23017), 1959 (23118), 1960 (23087) and 1961 (23057). Most of these vans ended up as class VDB.

 Three vans (23117, 23147, 23161) were rebuilt with metal louvres in their upper sides and planked lower sides in 1967. They became class VDA class.

In 1970 nine vans (23009, 23027, 23034/5, 23050, 23073/6, 23090, 23106) were fitted with load dividing equipment and were reclassified VDL. Most of the class ended their days in a state similar to 23065 (right) although all variations could be seen.

 Most vans in the class remained in traffic until 1986 when the effects of "Total West" on the less than trainload traffic rendered them redundant. Most of the chassis were used for RCJ class steel open wagons. The fate of the remaining VD's is listed below: