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Hornby R40568

RailRoad: Royal Mail - TPO Coach - 80331

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI images rather than photographs

Prototype Eras
Era 7 (1972 to 1982) British Rail Blue (TOPS)
Era 8 (1983 to 1994) British Rail Sectorisation

Manufacturer description

The Traveling Post Office (TPO) has been a fixture on Britain’s railways since mail was first carried on trains in the 1830s. 

The sorting of mail in transit gradually reduced in the 21st century as mechanised sorting at depots became commonplace and concerns about the safety of workers carrying out letter-sorting at increased main line speeds. The last TPO using carriages in the UK took place during the night of 9th January 2004. After that, a fleet of Royal Mail-branded Class 325 EMUs continued to carry parcels by rail, but these too ceased in 2024. TPOs could collect and deposit mail on the move by means of lineside apparatus. Several of these vehicles have survived in preservation.

This Hornby RailRoad model coach features a working mailbag transfer mechanism.

Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

Hornby RailRoad model: Royal Mail – TPO Coach – 80331

Manufacturer part number R40568. The model depicts a British Rail sectorisation era Traveling Post Office (TPO) coach.

The TPO service began in the 1830s, allowing mail to be sorted while travelling. Sorting on moving trains declined in the early 21st century as mechanised depot sorting became standard and safety concerns grew. The final TPO carriage operation in the United Kingdom occurred on the night of 9 January 2004. After that, Royal Mail‑branded Class 325 electric multiple units continued to transport parcels by rail until their withdrawal in 2024.

The Hornby coach includes a functional mailbag transfer mechanism and is intended for collectors; several authentic TPO vehicles have been preserved in railway heritage collections.