Introduction

The following pages describe the history of Travelling Post Office coach M30272M since it was built in 1949 through to the present day and its current rebuild at the Nene Valley Railway. Technical details of the coach and other design details are listed on the first page, which also includes a list of other vehicles built to the same design as M30272M.

The working life of M30272M (1949 - 1974)

The information that we have on M30272M's service with BR is very limited, apart from the fact that it was in the formation of the Great Train Robbery. Any additional information on its BR service history would be appreciated.

Preservation - The early years (1974 - 1996)

Upon withdrawal from service M30272M was claimed for the National Collection and moved to various sites which are detailed here. In late 1995 the NRM decided that M30272M no longer formed part of its long term plans and asked for suitable organisations to put forward plans for the vehicle. The NVR did this and in early 1996 M30272M was donated to the NVR. The coach moved to Wansford during the summer of 1996.

Preservation - Restoration (1996 onwards)

Restoration work on M30272M soon starts, especially on the carriage bogie at the apparatus end of the coach. Once covered accommodation was located, the inside of the coach was stripped. The following sections describe each area that was stripped; The Toilet, Fittings, Cupboards, Lighting & Electrics, Odds & Ends and the Carriage Apparatus.

Now that the internal areas of the coach had been stripped work could start on dismantling the Apparatus End of the carriage, to enable repairs and renewal of the wooden framework. Some of this wooden frame has already gone back on the coach during 2002 and 2003. Work has also started on overhauling the non apparatus end of the coach.

The overhaul of the headstock at the apparatus end of the coach has been one of the hardest and most difficult aspects of this project, with much replacement of metalwork in the toilet area. The overhaul of the headstock has also enabled us to overhaul the remaining areas of the chassis.

Whilst all the above has been going on the roof has also been given attention, a start has been made on overhauling the carriage apparatus equipment and the internal areas of the coach have been started.

A seperate page details our Work Week at the end of April 2004, the shunt to turn TPO M30272M, the latter part of 2004, early 2005 and the later part of 2005

There are many, many, many more hours of work to be undertaken before M30272M returns to service. Reports will appear here in due course.