The arm on a New York Central Railway Post Office car has just snatched the bag from the trackside crane. Incoming bags for such locations would simply be kicked out the door as the train passed. A. C. Kalmbach photo
Mail on the fly!
By Mitch Horner | March 18, 2026
Let’s recall that in the 1940s and 1950s the New York Central ran several dedicated mail and express trains. These consists typically included a variety of head-end cars for express traffic, newspapers, bulk mail, milk and perishables. A working Railway Post Office and rider coach were also included. With heavy tonage and tight schedules, a Niagara was often the locomotive of choice.
Remember that the Railway Post Office (RPO) revolutionized communications. An RPO was commonly found at the head end of the most premier passenger trains on a railroad as well as secondary and branchline runs. Dedicated mail and express trains also typically carried at least one working RPO as well for picking up, sorting and delivering mail en route, often without stopping.