The Post Office Railway
The Post office Railway - Mail Rail
| EXIT | Mail Rail - The Post Office Railway | 50th Anniversary | Links |
Photo: A former engine and trucks of the Post Office Railway, on display at Amberley Museum ( LSA April 2008 ).

Overview

A unique railway, under the streets of London, carrying the mail at speed... Sadly the railway was mothballed in 2003 and no longer speeds the mail, but remnants of it can be discovered at various museums throughout the UK.


A Mail Rail motive unit
A motive unit (engine) of the former Post Office Railway. The two foot gauge railway ran from Paddington to Whitechapel powered by 440V d.c. stepped down and rectified from an 11kV a.c. supply from National Grid.



Photo April 2010 © Light Straw Archive.
   


50th Anniversary (1977)
50th Anniversary of the Post Office Railway (1997)
The 50th anniversary of the Post Office Railway (1952-1977) was commemorated by a First Day Cover issue. It became Mail Rail on the service's 60th anniversary (1987), shortly after the old stock was replaced with 34 new trains.

On 30th May 2003 - Mail Rail ceased operation and has been mothballed.


Scan: First Day Stamp cover.
   

Links

Mailrail.co.uk is an unofficial site, but packed with information and photos. Recommended...
Mail Rail  
   

And on Mike's Railway History pages you'll find an interesting article The Post Office Tube which details, the little known underground railway.

 
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