Mails to Ireland: Difference between revisions

Travelling Post Offices (TPO’s) first appeared on “Irish Mail” in 1852 and in 1861 the train became the first on the LNWR to have gas lit coaches. By 1863 it was the fastest train leaving London Euston and was noted for its good time-keeping. The train included two Travelling Post Offices and mail was exchanged at speed at numerous points between London and Holyhead. It ran as a night service only until 1873 when an extra daily daytime service was added. The TPO allowed postal staff to sort letters whilst en-route and facilities were soon introduced to allow mail bags to be collected and off-loaded at designated locations while the train was moving at speed. The bags were placed into [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catcher_pouch leather pouches] which, when filled could weigh up to 60lbs. To pick up a net was extended through a sliding door and this would catch a leather pouch containing mail bags. These were hung on an installation alongside the track. To set down mail a pouch was suspended from a retractable arm and as the train sped past the drop-off point the bag would be knocked off the arm by a line-side net. Sometimes multiple pouches were used, each suspended from a metal arm mounted on the side of the mail coach next to a sliding door.

Rather rudimentary Sleeping Coaches were introduced on the Irish Mail train in 1875. Before then passengers could obtain from the guard, for a fee, special twin sticks and a cushion that could be laid across a compartment. Specially designed Sleeping Coaches were introduced in 1891. One was included in the formation of the 7pm service from Euston to Holyhead, returning on the 1am from Holyhead and this operated until 28-09-1991. In 1876 pre-ordered luncheon baskets were given to passengers at Chester. There were two choices available, up market at 5 shillings and standard at 2 and 6 pence. The standard basket, called a ''Democratic'' had a pint of ale or stout, cold meat or pie, cheese and bread. The up -market version was called an ''Aristocrat'' and contained a pint of claret or ½ pint of sherry; chicken, ham or tongue; butter, cheese and bread.

On 12-09- September 1880 there was an attempt to blow up the Irish Mail train from London to Holyhead near to Bushey in Hertfordshire. An explosive device had been placed on the track but it failed to detonate properly. Warnings that the train and the Britannia Bridge were targets had been given as this was a time of "Fenian" activity in the country. [https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/20250134.recalling-plot-blow-train-bushey-watford/ Watford] historian Henry Williams noted in his 'History of Watford':