4.1 After extensive bench testing and adjustments, details were added to the van body to reflect the style of the elegant LNWR-built West Coast Joint Stock TPOs of the early 1900s. This view shows the addition of grab handles, steps and lamp backets from Brandbright and Garden Railway Specialists, and corridor connections made from thin plasticard and postcard. The Pre-Group and Grouping TPOs all had offset corridor connections to prevent access from the standard coaching stock to which they were often coupled. The heavily-moulded stanchions on the Newqida vehicle prevented me from reflecting this aspect; the mouldings add strength to the body ends and I was reluctant to remove them.

 

4.2 WCJS vehicles were finished in the classic 'Plum-and-Spilt-Milk' livery of the LNWR, a combination that is incredibly difficult to define. NHN supplied a colour picture of an IOM rake of coaching stock for reference, and I was able to match the 'Spilt Milk' shade from the Halfords range listed by the 16mm Society resource. The shade they recommended for the 'Plum' colour was not available and the nearest substitute was used instead.

 

With roof ventilators, vacuum brake telltales and reset valves, and bespoke artwork applied, here is the completed and working TPO. My other collaborator, Chris Moxham, was commissioned to design and produce the artwork and he has met his brief in full, creating the 'South West Coast Joint Stock' branding - we wished to cause no offence to LNWR adherents on the grounds of inaccurate colour matching! - complete with a coat of arms that carry a medieval ship flying the flag of St Piran and an authentic GR mailbox with the 'halfpenny stamp' premium notice. The flying lead visible on the extreme right of the TPO connects two LGB coach lighting sets inside with the socket on a LGB Mail tender van that has wheel pickups.

 

4.3 The trackside apparatus tries to reflect prototype practice but to replicate the netting of the collection apparatus was a step too far at this stage.

 

 

The GPO shelter (and the 1930s-uniformed postman) are reasonably accurate, as is the arm on which the mailbag is suspended. In reality, this was swung out at 90 degrees around 10 minutes before the TPO was due to pass, and it certainly didn't have a GWR-style finial. The collection hopper is a pragmatic plasticard structure which will need to be redesigned as it fouls the LGB mail tender. The rear of one of the pair of yellow and black chequered clearance warning boards can be seen in the left middle distance.

 

 

Thanks are due in full to NHN and to Chris Moxham for their enthusiastic support and advice.

An Illustrated History of the Travelling Post Office by Peter Johnson, OPC, 2009 is the principal source of technical background - and a fascinating story as well.

 

 

6.1    The trackside collection hopper design has been scrapped and a new design trialled to deal with the clearance problems caused to other rolling stock. The base unit has been moved further from the running line to give the standard clearance for the Caradon Branch.

 

6.2    The trial version allows the hopper to swing through 90 degrees such that its 'mouth' is parallel to the TPO side and at at a height that scoops the 'mailbag' from the traductor arm. The 'mailbag' is seen here having been collected under radio control (and is self-evidently a 11/16ths thread nut slung from copper wire).