Horses to horsepower - 120 years of motorised mail deliveries

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This year marks 120 years since Royal Mail first experimented with using motorised vehicles to deliver the mail.

In the late 19th century, the postal service became the country’s key communication channel. As a result pressure mounted to deliver letters more quickly.

Experiments with motorised transport for carrying mail began in 1897 when discussions started around whether it was best to use steam, electric or ‘oil driven’ motors.

Each type of engine was tested and in 1904 a second-hand Wallis & Steevens traction engine was purchased - Royal Mail’s first motorised vehicle.
The traction engine was a self-propelled steam engine that was primarily used to move heavy loads on roads, plough ground or to provide power.

Three years later, the first motor vehicle entered service. It was a two and a half tonne lorry called the Maudslay Stores Number 1, which was in operation for 18 years.

Today, Royal Mail operates the largest fleet in the country – more than 47,000 vehicles – from small vans for daily mail deliveries to double deck articulated lorries

The company is currently running a small-scale trial of electric vehicles, ranging from two tonne vans up to 26 tonne trucks.

A new online gallery showcasing how mail has been delivered for the last five centuries can be found at: http://500years.royalmailgroup.com/feat ... -the-mail/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Opens in new window

This year marks 120 years since Royal Mail first experimented with using motorised vehicles to deliver the mail. These trials changed the face of mail delivery forever and helped form the service that continues to this day.

Horse-drawn deliveries

In 1784, horse-drawn coaches were deployed for the first time to transport the mail. The rollout followed a trial run between Bristol and London. The coaches averaged seven to eight miles per hour in summer and five miles per hour in winter, with fresh horses supplied every 10 to 15 miles. The speed of the four horse-drawn coaches meant that the 400 mile journey time from London to Edinburgh was completed in about 60 hours compared to 96 hours by a postman on horseback.

The trial proved to be a success and in 1785, it led to the launch of new routes from London to Norwich, Liverpool, Leeds, Dover, Portsmouth, Poole, Exeter, Gloucester, Worcester, Holyhead and Carlisle. A service to Edinburgh was added a year later.

From horses to horsepower

Experiments with motorised transport for mail began in 1897 when discussions started around whether it was best to use steam, electric or ‘oil driven’ motors. Each type of engine was tested and in 1904 a second-hand Wallis & Steevens traction engine was purchased - Royal Mail’s first motorised vehicle. The traction engine was a self-propelled steam engine that was primarily used to move heavy loads on roads, plough ground or to provide power.

Three years later, the first motor vehicle entered service - a two and a half tonne lorry called the Maudslay Stores Number 1. The lorry was in operation for 18 years, covering over 300,000 miles.

The largest fleet in the country

Since the introduction of the Maudslay Stores Number 1, Royal Mail’s red vans and lorries have become a familiar sight on roads across the UK. Today, the company operates the largest fleet in the country – more than 47,000 vehicles – from small vans for daily mail deliveries to double deck articulated lorries.
More recent developments include the introduction of in-cab driver behaviour technology and a small-scale trial of electric vehicles, ranging from 3.5 tonne vans up to 7.5 tonne trucks.

To commemorate the anniversary, Royal Mail has launched a special online gallery which showcases how mail has been delivered for five centuries. The gallery can be found at:

http://500years.royalmailgroup.com/feat ... -the-mail/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Opens in new window