These vans were interchangeable between passenger and freight work. Their main use was freight, with the ability to run on extra passenger trains as required.
The vans were recoded from the 1961 _ZF_ freight brakevans when bogies from _BP_ boxvans were swapped. The ZLP code letters indicate Z: brakevan, L: lavatory fitted, P: passenger speed, 70mph/115km/hr.
The number group was 1 to 80.
In 1968, ZLP 32 was fitted with a power generator set for supplying electricity to the "Showmobile" train.
A small group of vans were coded ZJF_ . These were vans in joint service on fast freight trains between Victoria and South Australia.
The 1984 code for ZLP was VVBP.
Between 1983 and 1985 many vans were recoded.
From 1984, some of these vans began to be removed from service. Van bodies can occasionally be seen in paddocks.