Royal Mail train at Durham

[Mr Pickle]

Apologies if this has been covered in previous posts, but I am curious as to why the Royal Mail train that passes through Durham southbound at around 22:00 has a bright blue light at the top centre on the side of each coach. Sometimes they are lit, other times not. It is similar in size and position to the orange cant rail lights on passenger trains. Thanks!

 

[cakefiend]

It's a security measure, the blue light illuminates if there's movement detected inside the carriage. It's not a major issue if it is, I suspect, given the amount of times I've seen them pass all lit!

 

[Andy Pacer]

That's interesting. One I'd never noticed the light, and if I had I wouldn't have guessed that was the reason!

 

[Mr Pickle]

I guess that explains why some are lit and other coaches aren't - seems to be quite random every night. Thanks for the info.

 

[Ladder23]

Funny as I’ve never seen it pass me when on track without the lights!

 

[Mr Pickle]

I have definitely seen it with only some of the lights illuminated, and pretty sure I saw it with all lights extinguished on one occasion.

 

[ExRes]

It's only a minor problem that started when the units were delivered in 1996, they should get round to finding a solution very soon ........

 

[meepmeep]

Am curious. Are you talking about the class 325 units?

 

[ExRes]

Am curious. Are you talking about the class 325 units?

Yes indeed

 

[Vespa]

I'm suprised we still have mail train running, I know TPOs have been phased out and everything is put on HGVs.

 

[Trainfan2019]

I thought all the royal mail trains ended a few years ago and everything was by road now? How many mail trains are running still?

 

[ExRes]

I thought all the royal mail trains ended a few years ago and everything was by road now? How many mail trains are running still?

There are 15 four car 325 units operating out of the PRDC at Willesden on the WCML and ECML

 

[seagull]

Willesden (London), Dallam (Warrington), Low Fell (Newcastle) and Shieldmuir (Glasgow) are AFAIK still operational, certainly see 325 EMU Postal Trains regularly on the WCML.

 

[Rhinojerry]

Thank you for the explanation...Always wondered....

 

[4-SUB 4732]

I always remember at one point on lates seeing the northbound Low Fell at places like Holloway especially where it was booked to dwell pending a path. I’ve always seen all lights on - I assumed they actually meant the side roller doors were locked! Quite remarkable now to know it’s all faulty wiring or similar.

 

[crablab]

It's not faulty wiring.

They have movement detectors that were supposed to detect the presence of a person that had become "locked in" and thus alert the driver.

As I understand it, the alert for the driver was disabled very quickly given the rate of false alarms caused by wobbling yorkies (container mailed is carried in).

As you'll have noted, given the large number of blue lights lit and seemingly random pattern between coaches, the system has a very high false positive rate and is now completely ignored...

---

As an aside, there was a planning application at Peterborough Mail Centre (Papyrus Road) back in the early 90s to add a spur off the ECML and platform (with cover) for the reception of mail trains. Presumably the 325s. It would have been parallel to a service road within the Royal Mail depot.

 

[martin2345uk]

Are the drivers for these trains employed directly by Royal Mail?

 

[DarloRich]

Are the drivers for these trains employed directly by Royal Mail?

DBC drivers irc

 

[pdeaves]

DBC drivers irc

(just for interest's sake) for a while between the current contract and the 'privatisation' contract, GB Railfreight.

 

[4-SUB 4732]

(just for interest's sake) for a while between the current contract and the 'privatisation' contract, GB Railfreight.

Well yes but it went BR, EWS, GBRf and now effectively back to EWS as DBC. Don’t over-complicate.

 

[MotCO]

As I understand it, the alert for the driver was disabled very quickly given the rate of false alarms caused by wobbling yorkies (container mailed is carried in).

I had visions of one of the Forum's staff wobbling around inside the trains

 

[crablab]

I'm sure @yorkie would choose a more luxurious ticket

 

[ainsworth74]

I had visions of one of the Forum's staff wobbling around inside the trains

I'm sure @yorkie would choose a more luxurious ticket

If @yorkie doesn't fancy going for a ride on a 325 I'll happily take his spot! That's got to be some rare traction for anyone other than some drivers!

 

[norbitonflyer]

I thought all the royal mail trains ended a few years ago and everything was by road now? How many mail trains are running still?

Royal Mail did end the rail contract in 2003, but has gradually reintroduced them.

There were originally 16 units, but 325010 was scrapped in 2012, having been damaged in an accident and then used as a source of spare parts for several years.

 

[dk1]

I'm suprised we still have mail train running, I know TPOs have been phased out and everything is put on HGVs.

I find it odd people still dont realise these trains run. You would think the Royal Mail & parcel couriers would make far more use of rail for long haul.

 

[High Dyke]

As an aside, there was a planning application at Peterborough Mail Centre (Papyrus Road) back in the early 90s to add a spur off the ECML and platform (with cover) for the reception of mail trains. Presumably the 325s. It would have been parallel to a service road within the Royal Mail depot.

I guess that location was to replace the former sorting depot that had direct access to the platforms at Peterborough station, when it closed (site now occupied by the Waitrose store).

 

[meepmeep]

Slightly OT, but I do wonder if the trains is one of the reasons that there is only one organisation who can get a letter from London to Inverness and guarantee it's arrival by 1pm the day after you sent it

 

[Darandio]

Slightly OT, but I do wonder if the trains is one of the reasons that there is only one organisation who can get a letter from London to Inverness and guarantee it's arrival by 1pm the day after you sent it

It's far more likely this will be because of a plane.