Whats the Future of MailRail ?
Many ideas have been put forward since the closure of Mailrail, from transporting medical supplies, to an Executive transport system. Some how I really can't see Executives using the system, after all some of them wont even use the Tube. On a more seroius note, Crossrail did a study into using the system for removing spoil from the Crossrail scheme but this did not prove viable.
Just recently The British Postal Museum and Archive has submitted plans to Islington Council proposing to reopen a section of Mail Rail beneath Mount Pleasant sorting office, this time as a public museum. The British Postal Museum and Archive hope to run trains from the workshop, through Mount Pleasant station round the reversing loop and back to the workshop.
Latest News from Mailrail
July 2017
The Postal Museum has opened its doors to the Public, Further information can be found at www.postalmuseum.org
Oct 2016
Find out the latest on the progress of the Postal Museum.
Latest from the rail.co.uk website.
11th Mar 2014
Plans to open Mail Rail as a tourist attraction have been approved by Islington Council.
Latest from the BBC website.
28th Jan 2014
Latest from the BBCi website. Also on Sky News
15th Oct 2013
The British Postal Museum and Archive has submitted plans to Islington Council proposing to reopen a section of Mail Rail beneath Mount Pleasant sorting office, this time as a public museam.
Read more about the plans at London Reconnections.
30th May 2011
The British Postal Museum and Archive succesfully remove 3 of the Post Office railways trains for preservation. The eldest being the one sole surviving example of the 1927 stock, probably the first time its been seen in daylight for 85 years.
More pictures at London Reconnections website
30th May 2003
A sad day for all, MailRail ceases operation today. Rest in peace, MailRail.
29th May 2003
Latest from the BBCi website.
24th May 2003
Latest from the BBCi website.
22nd April 2003
Latest from the BBCi website.
8th April 2003
An announcement on the date for mothballing is expected at any time now, but at present, the system is still running as normal. The system will not be closed, but rather mothballed, as discussions with a range of organisations and businesses continue on possible alternative uses for the system.
7th Nov 2002
The Royal Mail has announced that unless Mail Rail can find a new backer, the system will be facing closure in the near future. Read the Press Release, Issued by the Post Office PR team.
For the full story check out the article on the BBCi website.
Although MailRail is looking to get in touch with various groups and organisations who may have ideas on how to save the system, I find it unlikely that the system will continue in its present form. After all, how long can a company survive when it's loosing over £1.2 Million a day. Here's what they had to say in Parliament about the closure. The Royal Mail do however stress that the system will not be completely closed down, rather the system is being 'mothballed'. A dedicated team will be put in place to keep the system in good working order.