The VDA van was a logical choice to be one of the first add-on releases as a part of Project East Coast for Train Simulator as special white roofed versions had a daily duty carrying chocolate and confectionery between factories owned by the Rowntrees company in York and Newcastle.

Built during the mid 1970's, the VDAs were the fourth version of air braked covered vans developed by British Rail and were a stepping stone between the traditional goods van and sliding wall vans.