Discover the underground network of railway tunnels that were once used to transport four million letters a day through London with the opening of the new Postal Museum. Starting September 4, 2017, visitors will have the opportunity to climb aboard a replica carriage and through secret tunnels that Royal Mail has used for more than 75 years. The tracks are 21 meters underground and the immersive rail ride is designed to bring the history of this underground system to life.
The history of the rail mail system
The original network was built in the 1920s and was the world’s first driverless electric railway. It connected Paddington in west London with Whitechapel in the east via a 6 1/2 mile track linking six sorting offices and crisscrossing many of London’s underground lines. At peak times, the service ran for 22 hours a day. It was closed in 2003 because it was considered more expensive than using Royal Mail road transport, but it was an important part of London’s communication network and has until now been largely unknown to most Londoners.
A modern update and what to expect
Based on the original designs, two new trains have been adapted to accommodate passengers and provide an immersive experience that includes video footage on the history of the network. The journey takes about 20 minutes (including boarding and disembarking) and passengers will head 21 meters underground and travel through tunnels that are two meters wide at their narrowest point. The train travels at a maximum speed of 7.5 mph and effects including total darkness, loud noises, and flashing lights are used.
About the postal museum
The Postal Museum opened at the end of July 2017 and offers an interesting insight into the history of the UK postal service spanning five centuries. The collection includes personal items such as love letters exchanged during World War II, telegrams sent by passengers on the Titanic, postcards and greeting cards, as well as equipment and tools such as hand stamps and sorting machines and vehicles such as horse-drawn carts and train carriages. There are many immersive experiences throughout the museum, including the chance to play dress-up in flat caps and trench coats once worn by traveling postal workers and the option to create your own stamp with your head on instead of the Queen.
Fun events for the whole family, like free craft activities and workshops, are held regularly throughout the year and there are dedicated trails to follow and a play space that features mailboxes, a vintage postal van, an interactive sorting office, and a small neighborhood of streets and houses.
Visiting the Postal Museum
Ticket Options: You can buy a combined ticket for a Mail Rail ride and Postal Museum admission (£ 14.50 adults / £ 7.25 children 15 and under) or a ticket to visit the exhibits only (£ 10 adults / no charge for children). Children under the age of 1 do not need a ticket. A 45 minute session in Sorted! The Postal Play Space is priced at £ 5 for children under 8 years old.
Opening Hours: The Postal Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mail Rail trips are available to book from 10:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Train Travel Restrictions by Mail: People of all ages can ride the train, but children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult and buggies must be left at Buggy Park. Disabled visitors are welcome, but passengers must be able to move in and out of the train car without assistance. There is an accessible Rail Rail Show at Mail Rail Depot for people with limited mobility. This audiovisual presentation features images of the journey through the tunnels, as well as a soundtrack.
How to get there: The Postal Museum is located on Phoenix Place, near the Mount Pleasant Mail Center in Farringdon. There are several tube stations within a 15-minute walk, including Farringdon (on the Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines), Russell Square (on the Piccadilly line), Chancery Lane (on the Central line) and King’s Cross St Pancras (on Piccadilly, Northern, Victoria and Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines).
