2nd Tpo reunion

[postiebob]

I can't make this but thought it might be of some interest

2ND TPO REUNION AT MOUNT PLEASANT PHOENIX CENTRE
TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 21ST BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 13.00 & 16.00
TICKETS £ 6.00 PRICE INCLUDES BUFFET & FREE RAFFLE COME AND HAVE A GREAT TIME AND MEET OUR
OLD COLLEAGUES AND REMINISCE ABOUT THE BEST JOB IN THE POST OFFICE TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW FROM
COLIN MELLUISH 69 CHURCH ROAD HADLEIGH BENFLEET ESSEX SS7 2DW
PLEASE ENCLOSE S.A.E. FOR RETURN OF TICKETS.
TEL. 01702 555291.

Wonder if (with tounge in cheek) it could be a get together to run tpo's again, I know it isn't but it would get me out off tipping reside bags all night.

Postie Bob

[DirtyHarry]

That's one job I hated doing, postiebob , cutting & tipping. When we had nights in our
office, I'd do a couple doing the old c & t.

I'd have loved a crack at working on the TPOs , shame really , another little bit of history allowed to disappear.

[postiebob]

Now it's funny that you say that, as the Tpo's mightn't run on main lines but they still do run, try Nene Valley at Peterboro, in June on the 23rd and 24 they will be holding an event called Mail Rail 2007 and it will be my fifth visit since 2004. The have purchased 4 tpo coaches and converted one to pick up mail on line with out stopping, try these two web sites out and try to get there if you can.
ps: there will be a beer tent on hand.

http://www.nvr.org.uk/

http://www.tpo.org.uk/

Postie Bob

[norbet colon]

Now it's funny that you say that, as the Tpo's mightn't run on main lines but they still do run, try Nene Valley at Peterboro, in June on the 23rd and 24 they will be holding an event called Mail Rail 2007 and it will be my fifth visit since 2004. The have purchased 4 tpo coaches and converted one to pick up mail on line with out stopping, try these two web sites out and try to get there if you can.
ps: there will be a beer tent on hand.I saw this demonstration on You Tube and it showed the Steam Train getting up to 60/70mph to pick up the mail bag from the apparatus . All they had was this bar accross when the carriage doors were opened when the train was moving . I'm ex RMT so the Railway & the GPO would have had it done by the book . The Posties could guage exactly where they were on the train such as so many clicks over the rail-joints etc over such and such viaduct.
The Post Office carriages were from the steam age , badly maintained and dangerous under privatisation . All the carriages etc were sold off on the cheap to BR Board Directors , they made a fortune leasing them out , then they sold them off to the likes of Stagecoach who then sold them onto to the Banks . EWS Engines were ex BR from the early 60's , long life expired , hence the reliability problems . They could have gutted out old 70's but solid design sleeping car carriages but EWS lost the RM contract . EWS did lease new engines that could do 125mph on the main-line . The problem is that the Railway is so fragmented , that's why we went on strike for six weeks in 1989 . RM gave the contract to GBrf and got a grant as a new customer. The Railway lads thought RM had a good deal, Senior Mgt state otherwise.

http://www.nvr.org.uk/

http://www.tpo.org.uk/

Postie Bob