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The Travelling Post Office

TPOs - The Final Nights, York - "HISTPORY" by Phil Mason

Friday 9th & Saturday 10th January 2004

The final nights of the TPO at YorkYork 0250 Friday 9 Dec 2004.

On the penultimate night 67011 heads 1E94, the Bristol - Low Fell TPO. Decorative headboards were provided by local Royal Mail staff on the last two nights. The left-hand board included English, Welsh and Scottish flags. The boards were removed again before the train departed.

The final nights of the TPO at YorkYork 0300 Friday 9 Dec 2004. 1E94 is ready to depart on the second to last night, witnessed by an almost empty platform.
The final nights of the TPO at YorkYork 2150 Friday 9 Jan 2004. The last departure from York of 1V28 Low fell to Bristol TPO. Staff kindly allowed family and friends on board for a few minutes to see them at work on a TPO for the last time.
The final nights of the TPO at YorkYork 2150 Friday 8 Jan 2004. Close up of sorting frame in the up Mid-North TPO.
The final nights of the TPO at YorkYork 2210 Friday 9 Jan 2004. Stan Harvey of York assists in the loading of 1M91, the final Low Fell to London TPO.
The final nights of the TPO at YorkYork 0230 Saturday 10 Jan 2004. Photographers jostle for position on the last night to witness 90033 departing with 1E53, the final London to Low Fell TPO.
The final nights of the TPO at YorkYork 0250 Saturday 10 Jan 2004. A piper was on hand to send off the last four departures from York.He's seen here walking alongside a TPO for the last time, 1E94 Bristol to Low Fell.
The final nights of the TPO at YorkYork 0300 Saturday 10 Jan 2004. 90027 prepares to depart with the last ever TPO working, the 1E94 Bristol to Low Fell, ending 166 years of railway and Royal Mail history.
The final nights of the TPO at YorkThe rather forlorn sight of the commemorative headboards.  

If anyone has any pictures or details they would like to include in this section, especially pictures of the other TPO services, then please contact me.