The TPO network never employed a great number of staff: in 1852, there were just 39 railway clerks. This had risen to 650 by 1988, working on 35 TPOs. By 2000 there were only 18 TPOs left, but the 500 remaining workers - less than 1% of the postal workforce - still managed to sort 1.75 million letters a night.

The team spirit amongst TPO workers could spill over into their social life, as seen by this photograph above of the North West TPO Cricket Club in 1912. When the service ended in 2004, it was hard for many of the staff to accept a move into stationary offices. Some 80% opted for early voluntary redundancy. Those TPO sorters who went to static offices were renowned for being able to sort at twice the normal speed.

During the era of the TPOs, the dedication and expertise of its staff gave an aura of awe and prestige to the service. Despite the often difficult conditions for TPO staff, loyalty and comradeship prevailed. And the mail waits for no one!

Illustrations

North West TPO Cricket Club, 1912

TPO crew, 2004