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The Postal Museum announces Powering the Post exhibition to mark 100 years of Mail Rail

Here’s what to expect at The Postal Museum’s new exhibition, Powering the Post, opening in May 2027 to celebrate 100 years of the Mail Rail.
Charlotte Pritchard
Written by Charlotte Pritchard 30 October 2026
Red Mail Rail train with workers offloading post.
West Central District Office, 1973 © Royal Mail Group Ltd. Image courtesy of The Postal Museum.

Discover 100 years of Mail Rail, the world’s first driverless electric railway where visitors can journey through its original tunnels, in a major new exhibition at The Postal Museum opening on 29 May 2027.

Marking the centenary, the museum will host a programme of events centred around Powering the Post, a temporary exhibition celebrating the people who designed, built and maintained London's Mail Rail network.

Everything you need to know about the Powering the Post exhibition

  • 📍 Where: 15-20 Phoenix Place (WC1X 0DA)
  • 🚇 Nearest Tube station: Chancery Lane (Central) 
  • 📅 When: From 29 May 2027
  • 🎟️ Price: TBC 
  • ⏱️ Visit duration: TBC – museum visit usually around 2-3 hours
  • 👥 Who is this for?: Transport enthusiasts, history buffs and fans of innovation

Check back soon for a first look at the exhibition

What is the Powering the Post exhibition at The Postal Museum about?

Two people sitting in a carriage of the Mail Rail train at The Postal Museum.

Hidden beneath London's streets lies Mail Rail, a pioneering railway that opened in 1927 as the world's first driverless electric railway. Built by the General Post Office to bypass the capital's congested roads, this ingenious underground network transported up to four million letters a day at its peak, linking eight stations from Paddington to Whitechapel.

Mail Rail operated for 76 years before closing in 2003, and since 2017 visitors to The Postal Museum have been able to ride through its original tunnels and discover this remarkable piece of London's history.

Now, as Mail Rail approaches its centenary, The Postal Museum is marking 100 years of innovation with a special programme of events celebrating the railway's legacy and the people behind it.

At the heart of the celebrations is Powering the Post, a new temporary exhibition opening in May 2027. Through stories of invention, engineering and experimentation, the exhibition explores how Mail Rail was built and maintained, while revealing the successes, setbacks and bold ideas that shaped London's postal network.

What to expect at the Powering the Post exhibition?

Black and white image of workers offloading post from the Mail Rail onto containers.

Step behind the scenes of London's postal network as Powering the Post uncovers the hidden world of postal engineering and explores the legacy of innovation that continues to shape the industry today.

The exhibition shines a light on the inventors, engineers and experimenters who kept the mail moving, including some of the more ambitious ideas that never took off, such as Rocket Mail, an unsuccessful attempt to deliver post by missile.

Co-produced with postal workers and residents from communities around Mail Rail's Mount Pleasant station, the exhibition will feature interactive displays designed to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers and innovators.

Keep an eye out for further details of the Mail Rail 100 programme, with more events set to be announced in 2027.

How to book tickets for the Powering the Post exhibition

Ticket details for the exhibition have yet to be released. Check back for updates and information on how to secure your spot.

In the meantime, experience Mail Rail for yourself and journey through its hidden tunnels by booking tickets to The Postal Museum, where all museum tickets include one ride on Mail Rail.

Find more exhibitions in London, from fascinating displays at the best museums in London to the top art exhibitions in the capital this month.