The Post Office Railway

The Post Office Railway, also known as the Mail Rail, was an underground transit system in London built from 1911 to efficiently move mail between central sorting centers. Unlike typical trains, it used small electric-powered carriages running on tunnels beneath the city streets. This system allowed rapid, secure transportation of mail, reducing delivery times. It operated until 2003, after which it was decommissioned, and much of the tunnel network has since been preserved or repurposed for tours and exhibitions, showcasing a unique aspect of London's postal history and engineering innovation.