Farewell, TPOs

After 150 years, the final Travelling Post Office trains are running tonight. The distinctive blank faced coaches in which postal workers sort the mail on the move will be no more after the last arrivals tomorrow morning.

Up and down the country, groups of enthusiasts have gathered to mourn their passing.

Chris Collins at Redruth on the final Cornish TPO

Quite a large crowd of enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts there too. Many waved her through, and the driver gave a particularly fine horn solo!!!!! Also a great clenched fist salute in return to ours! Good man!

As the marker lights disappeared into the tunnel, there was a genuine lump in my throat, as yet more of Cornwall's railway variety disappears.

James Wells at York on the Newcastle - Bristol and the Newcastle - London trains

Quite an interesting outing, both trains were 'piped' in and out by Bagpipes and a lot of non-enthusiats seemed to have gone to see it; I noticed quite a few people posting letters.