gpotrain.jpg (69039 bytes)

A GPO Mail Rail train enters Mount Pleasant station on 7 June 1996. Each train consists of two units which have one locomotive at the front and one at the rear. In between the locomotives is a mail car that can carry four enclosed trolleys in which the mail bags are placed. Trolleys are wheeled on and off the mail car by GPO staff standing on the station platforms. Photo and scan copyright Pat & David Othen, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. (dothen@ra.isisnet.com)

ukgpo09.jpg (45471 bytes)

Narrow gauge driverless underground electric train 09 on the GPO Rail Mail system enters Mount Plesant station on 7 June 1996. Copyright Pat & David Othen (dothen@ra.isisnet.com)

ukpo0.jpg (67041 bytes)

Older style narrow gauge driverless underground electric train in the GPO workshops at Mount Pleasant, London on 7 June 1996. There are two voltages (110 volts for slow speed in station areas and 440 volts for main line operation at up to 30mph). When the train enters an unpowered section the electromagnets are de-energized and the brakes applied so that the train stops at a pre-determined loading spot. Copyright Pat & David Othen, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada (dothen@ra.isisnet.com)

ukpo28.jpg (71908 bytes)

Mail Rail underground electric train 28 in the GPO (Post Office) workshops at Mount Pleasant, London on 7 June 1996. The motor and electromagnets are covered by in this model butthe pick-up shoe is clearly visible. Copyright Pat & David Othen, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada (dothen@ra.isisnet.com)

ukpo46.jpg (59289 bytes)

An older GPO Mail Rail unit number 46 is receiving attention in the Mount Pleasant workshops on 7 June 1996. Photo and scan copyright Pat & David Othen, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. (dothen@ra.isisnet.com)

ukpobl3.jpg (54740 bytes)

Battery operated GPO Mail Rail locomotive #3 at Mount Pleasant workshops on 7 June 1996. These locomotives are used for maintenance in the tunnels when the power is switched off and are stored at different parts of the system. Photo and scan copyright Pat & David Othen, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. (dothen@ra.isisnet.com)

ukpogear.jpg (47206 bytes)

A pair of axles with wheels and driving gear of a GPO Mail Rail locomotive at Mount Pleasant workshops on 7 June 1996. Photo and scan copyright Pat & David Othen, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. (dothen@ra.isisnet.com)

ukpompbr.jpg (72964 bytes)

Circuit breakers that control the power (red & yellow indicate the two different voltages) to the track sections on the GPO (Post Office) Rail Mail system at Mount Pleasant station, London on 7 June 1996. Copyright Pat & David Othen, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada (dothen@ra.isisnet.com)

ukpompcc.jpg (47322 bytes)

Computerised contro centre at Mount Pleasant which controls the entire GPO (Post Office) Rail Mail system, London on 7 June 1996. Copyright Pat & David Othen, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada (dothen@ra.isisnet.com)

ukpompcr.jpg (72270 bytes)

Track switch control relays that help set routes for the GPO (Post Office) Rail Mail system at Mount Pleasant station, London on 7 June 1996. Copyright Pat & David Othen, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada (dothen@ra.isisnet.com)

ukpompms.jpg (71873 bytes)

General view of the GPO (Post Office) workshops at Mount Pleasant, London on 7 June 1996. The unit on the right is used for transporting VIPs including the Queen. In the shops there is no powered rail. Instead an overhead power hookup is used as seen on the right. Copyright Pat & David Othen, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada (dothen@ra.isisnet.com)

ukpomptd.jpg (53567 bytes)

Old track circuit diagram for Mount Pleasant station on the GPO (Post Office) Rail Mail system, London on 7 June 1996. Copyright Pat & David Othen, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada (dothen@ra.isisnet.com)

ukpomptl.jpg (50905 bytes)

Old manual control switches for Mount Pleasant station on the GPO (Post Office) Rail Mail system, London on 7 June 1996. Copyright Pat & David Othen, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada (dothen@ra.isisnet.com)

ukpompws.jpg (72105 bytes)

An aerial view of the GPO Mail Rail Mount Pleasant workshops on 7 June 1996. The entrance for trains to the Mail Rail system is downthe slope in the centre of the picture. The absence of the third rail in the workshops should be noted (units are hooked to the overhead power sources by long cables). Photo and scan copyright Pat & David Othen, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. (dothen@ra.isisnet.com)