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Southern Railway - 4922 Travelling Post Office (built in 1939)
Mike Esau

Type: Travelling Post Office
Built: 1939 at Eastleigh
Original No: 4922
Other Nos: S4922S
Length: 58'
Restriction: 4
Weight: 32 Tons
Withdrawn: 1977
Preserved: 1978
To Bluebell: 11/5/1978

The last type of Southern Railway coach to be built in the Maunsell style, the Travelling Post Offices were also amongst the longest lived in normal service. This interesting vehicle, with its Post Office off-centre gangways and complete interior, was restored in 1980 and used on demonstration trains. Unfortunately, the paint failed to adhere to the galvanised steel sheeting, and it has consequently not been used since about 1984.

A relatively small amount of work would then have been required to put it back into use, but now the effects of its age, and being stored outside are taking its toll, and although protected by tarpaulins, the structure is noticably decaying. As a non-passenger vehicle it unfortunately has a low priority for overhaul compared to the vehicles which carry our passengers, and no volunteer group has yet been formed to take this on.