As part of the Nene Valley Railway's 25th Anniversary celebrations the 'Friends of M30272M TPO Group' took advantage of the fact that Didcot's TPO, 814, was returning to the NVR to hold its second dedicated Rail Mail weekend on 15th & 16th June 2002.

During the weekend TPO 814 performed a total of 18 exchanges at Sutton Cross, with 54 pouches successfully picked up from the lineside standard and 53 pouches successfully dropped to the lineside net. 2 pouches were also dropped to the ground from the coach, before reaching the lineside equipment, when they became detached from the traductor arm.

The Southern TPO, 4920, on platform 4, was in use to demonstrate the sorting of mail, with the public being encouraged to 'have a go'. Our very own TPO, M30272M, was on display in the shed with some of the new wood in place on the coach, this included one of the new 'bottom sides' and several uprights.

There were several stands around the Wansford site, including the Post Office Vehicle Club, the Railway Vehicle Preservations Ltd, a display of stamps and covers by both Neill Oakley & Harold Wilson, the NVR's Railway Letter Service.

Saturday evening also saw a get together at Wansford for all those involved with the weekend.

Six locomotives, with four in service each day, covered the timetable for the passenger service and TPO runs. Southern Region 4-6-2, Battle of Britain class, 34081 "92 Squadron" and Great Western 2-8-0T 5224 saw use on both days with Class 40, D306 "Atlantic Conveyor" & Class 47, 47401 "North Eastern" in use on Saturday, Class 31, 31108 & Class 55 (Deltic), D9009 "Alycidon" were in use on the Sunday.

Click on the link for pictures from Saturday and Sunday, Pictures by Nigel Hunt, view the timetable used or see the log of exchanges at Sutton Cross.