History

Built on an 8 wheel radial chassis in 1885 LNWR for the West Coast Joint Stock, numbered 186. The vehicle was then given a new underframe with bogies in 1896 and the body rebuilt in 1908. In 1923 the vehicle was renumbered 3234 by the LMS and again to 30384 in 1933, being withdrawn from service in March 1934. The LMS then replaced the underframe for an original one for use at an exhibition in 1938 to celebrate 100 years of the Travelling Post Office.

Preservation

The vehicle was stored at Wolverton & Lostock Hall until being displayed at the Clapham Museum and finally the National Railway Museum at York.

186 in the Great Hall of the National Railway Museum. Note the offset corridor connection.

The apparatus area of 186.

An internal view of 186 showing various letters on the work surface and in the fittings. Note the mail bags hanging on the right hand side (there is also a modern grey Royal Mail bag half way down!)

The sorting fittings immediately opposite the apparatus nets.

A view showing the apparatus nets extended with a leather pouch having been "dropped" from the lineside standard, which can be seen on the right.

A leather pouch, shown in the lowered position for collecting in the lineside nets.