ArishMell · 70-79, M
Interesting!
I'm guessing American. Did they use a non-stop mail-bag collection/ delivery system as used on the British railways, which called their equivalents the "Travelling Post Office" (TPO)?
This used catch-net arrangements swung out from the TPO side, and on line-side poles, to transfer mechanically the special leather bags holding the letters. The normal canvas mail-bags were not robust and protective enough because this worked at full speed, typically around 60mph in steam-traction days when the system was used.
The name "Travelling Post Office" was a slight misnomer. The Post Office and Royal Mail was then a single, state-owned organisation, and the TPO was not a "Post Office" as most customers would recognise that, a High Street building open to the public for business. Instead the TPO was really a Travelling Sorting-Office, its staff using the journey to partially sort the mail for final sorting in the destination towns.
It did not have the luxury fittings as in your photograph!
I'm guessing American. Did they use a non-stop mail-bag collection/ delivery system as used on the British railways, which called their equivalents the "Travelling Post Office" (TPO)?
This used catch-net arrangements swung out from the TPO side, and on line-side poles, to transfer mechanically the special leather bags holding the letters. The normal canvas mail-bags were not robust and protective enough because this worked at full speed, typically around 60mph in steam-traction days when the system was used.
The name "Travelling Post Office" was a slight misnomer. The Post Office and Royal Mail was then a single, state-owned organisation, and the TPO was not a "Post Office" as most customers would recognise that, a High Street building open to the public for business. Instead the TPO was really a Travelling Sorting-Office, its staff using the journey to partially sort the mail for final sorting in the destination towns.
It did not have the luxury fittings as in your photograph!
FreddieUK · 70-79, M
Very interesting photos. I can imagine a group of probably men in those days rocking around on the rails sorting the post. I don't suppose they got a chance to sit down very often. Much more space in that mail van than we had in the UK ones, as would be expected.
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ArishMell · 70-79, M
@FreddieUK Well, a similar carriage probably. Colne is in Lancashire - unless there are two Colnes!
I think there is a TPO at York but can't be sure, especially given the nature of its management now!
I recall two young ladies, friends of mine, once arguing the pronounciation; Cohn or CoLne.
Eventually I said, "If you two Lancashire Lasses can't agree how to pronounce your own town names, what hope does a Southerner like me have of getting it right?"
I think there is a TPO at York but can't be sure, especially given the nature of its management now!
I recall two young ladies, friends of mine, once arguing the pronounciation; Cohn or CoLne.
Eventually I said, "If you two Lancashire Lasses can't agree how to pronounce your own town names, what hope does a Southerner like me have of getting it right?"
The train mailmen seem to have traveled in comfort. How interesting a job that must have been, traveling to many places to deliver people's mail and having the train wagons all to themselves for that purpose. Thanks for sharing this bit of history☺👍
tobynshorty · 51-55, F
AngelUnforgiven · 51-55, F
Wow that looks nice 💓
tobynshorty · 51-55, F
jehova · 31-35, M
Wow what year is the train?
Musicman · 61-69, M
Fabulous pictures. Thank you very much for posting these.