Post Train Twilight - the last days of Royal Mail’s rail services

With rumours circulating that Friday 20 September would see an earlier-than-expected end to Royal Mail’s class 325-operated postal trains, I made a last effort to see some of the final loaded services. The trains were originally due to stop running by 10 October, and unit availability is beginning to decrease with several units stored out of use at Mossend and Crewe.

In this video, four of the remaining serviceable units, 325001+325002 and 325005+325009, are seen on the 19th and 20th September 2024, working what could turn out to be the final Post Office-controlled parcels services on the UK rail network. Only time will tell as to whether these really were the last, but for now, it’s the final curtain call for an important piece of Britain’s railway and postal history.

The near-30-year-old 325s themselves face an uncertain future, with owners Royal Mail soon to take a decision on their disposition.

It won’t be the end for all parcels by rail, however, as private operator Varamis Rail continue to run high-speed logistics trains using a fleet of modified class 321 EMUs.