Mail by Rail

Mail by Rail – Experience Britain’s Postal Railways in Action!

Morning & Afternoon Sessions Available

For over 100 years, Britain’s postal trains worked through the night, collecting and delivering mail across the country at high speed. Now, at Nene Valley Railway, you can step into history and experience it for yourself!

Join us for Mail by Rail, where you’ll ride aboard our historic Travelling Post Office (TPO) train, witness mailbag exchanges from trackside, and try your hand at sorting letters on the move—just as real postal workers once did!

Want to extend your railway adventure? Enjoy a classic dining experience aboard our Pie & Postal Evening Excursion! More details below.

Your Mail by Rail Experience Includes:

• Ride on the Travelling Post Office Train – Step aboard and travel in our authentic TPO coaches, just like the postal workers who once sorted Britain’s mail overnight.
• Live Mailbag Exchange Demonstrations – Watch as we recreate the dramatic way mail was collected and dropped off from a moving train!
      • Three mailbag exchanges per session
      • Customers will alight before the demonstration to watch from the lineside
• Hands-On Sorting Activities – Test your speed and accuracy as you sort letters while the train is in motion—a fun challenge for all ages!
• Steam & Diesel-Hauled Trains – Travel behind two historic locomotives:
      • Morning Exchanges (Steam) – Hauled by GWR Large Prairie No. 4144
      • Afternoon Exchanges (Diesel) – Hauled by BR Class 45 'Royal Tank Regiment' (45041)

Timetable & Ticket Options

Dates: Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th July 2025
Morning Session: Departs Wansford at 10:50
Afternoon Session: Departs Wansford at 13:05
Timetable

Ticket Prices:

• Morning Steam Train Exchanges: £15 per person
• Afternoon Diesel Train Exchanges: £10 per person

If you’d like to ride both, you must purchase separate tickets for each session.

Please Note: Mail by Rail tickets do not include access to standard service trains, for which you will need a ticket for Standard Travel.

Extend Your Day with Night Mail Pie & Postal Express

Make it a full day of railway history and dining! After experiencing the fast-paced world of Britain’s postal railways, relax in the evening aboard our Pie & Postal Excursion: FULL DETAILS & BOOK HERE!

Two unique railway experiences – one incredible weekend! Book your tickets now to secure your seat aboard Mail by Rail and Pie & Postal before spaces run out!