Going Underground at Mail Rail, Clerkenwell, North London
Posted: January 26, 2023 | Tagged: United Kingdom
In January 2023, I found myself unexpectedly back in London. For 5 days, I backpacked London.
Visiting Mail Rail is one of the many quirky things to do in London.
Visiting Mail Rail is one of the many quirky things to do in London.
The Post Office Underground Railway was a driverless underground railway which transported mail under the streets of London for 76 years from 1927 to 2003 and known as Mail rail since 1997
It ran 6.5 miles, at a depth of 70 ft, from the Paddington District Office in the west to the Eastern District Office in the east via 6 intermediate stations: Western Parcels Office, Western District Office, Western Central District Office, Mount Pleasant, King Edward Building and Liverpool Street railway station.
It ran 6.5 miles, at a depth of 70 ft, from the Paddington District Office in the west to the Eastern District Office in the east via 6 intermediate stations: Western Parcels Office, Western District Office, Western Central District Office, Mount Pleasant, King Edward Building and Liverpool Street railway station.
Early Beginnings of the Post Office Underground Railway:
In 1909 a study was made to see if it was feasible to build an underground rail to transport mail across London, from the railway stations to the sorting offices. In 1911 the planning committee recommended the construction of an electric railway with driverless trains. 1913 the Post Office (London) Railway Bill was passed and construction began in 1914. Tunnelling was completed in 1917 but due to a shortage of materials in the First World War, work was suspended and didn't resume until 1923.
The railway was opened in stages. The section from Mount Pleasant to Paddington began running on 5 December 1927 and the section between Mount Pleasant and Liverpool Street opened fully on 28 December 1927.
With the opening of the Eastern and Western District Office stations in the January and February of 1928, the line was fully operational by 12 March 1928.
The railway was opened in stages. The section from Mount Pleasant to Paddington began running on 5 December 1927 and the section between Mount Pleasant and Liverpool Street opened fully on 28 December 1927.
With the opening of the Eastern and Western District Office stations in the January and February of 1928, the line was fully operational by 12 March 1928.
You can read more about the history on the Mail Rail website.
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By the 1990s, more than six million bags of mail were being carried below ground each year – that is four million letters every day but the operational costs became unprofitable and one by one, the stations were closed down.
Mail Rail opened as a museum in September 2017.
As I backpacked London on my first day, I took the Tube to Russel Square.
I entered the Postal Museum, got myself a ticket which as a former postie, cost me just £1 and went across the road to Mail Rail:
Mail Rail opened as a museum in September 2017.
As I backpacked London on my first day, I took the Tube to Russel Square.
I entered the Postal Museum, got myself a ticket which as a former postie, cost me just £1 and went across the road to Mail Rail:
Where is Mail Rail?
Tickets for the Mail Rail:
Tickets for the Postal Museum, which is across the street from the Mail Rail, include 1 year's unlimited access to the Postal Museum and 1 visit to Mail Rail.
Tickets for adults cost £16 if bought in advance or £17 on the day.
Tickets for adults cost £16 if bought in advance or £17 on the day.
Opening times of Mail Rail:
The Postal Museum and Mail Rail are currently open to the following schedule:
Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 - 17:00
Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 - 17:00
How to get to the Postal Museum and Mail Rail
The following Underground stations are you best bet: Farringdon, Russell Square, King’s Cross St Pancras and Chancery Lane.
