Hellifield Post Train
August 2023
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Hellifield Railway station, located in Hellifield just east of Skipton, is home to an abandoned Royal Mail train. The consist, comprised of 5 British Rail Propelling Control Vehicles converted from the Class 307 and either 2 or 3 British Rail Mark 1 coaches converted for parcel carrying connected to each PCV.
The train was operated by Rail Express Systems who were responsible for the transport of Mail and Parcels for Royal Mail in the British Rail system.
Whilst it’s hard to pin down a date, the most commonly agreed date of abandonment is about 2002 and has been left to rust at Hellifield ever since. It seems to be unclear as to who the consist belongs to and why it’s there.
At some point between 2022 and early-mid 2023, the consist was split and moved from its siding to the shed behind it. Why this was done is unknown, but my best guess was to keep it protected from the rain and other things.
This was a shoot I wanted to do for some time ever since I first went to Hellifield and spotted the rear of it poking out the shed. August 2023, I finally bit the bullet and made my way over to photograph the train. Access was simple, but not easy, involving a lot of clambering through thick vegetation. When that was bypassed though, it was simply a case of exploring the fascinating train.
