Alexandrine royal mail
A fascinating topic!
The Alexandrine was a type of postal carriage used by the Royal Mail in the United Kingdom from 1784 to 1840. It was named after Queen Alexandra of Denmark, who was the wife of King Edward VII.
Here are some interesting facts about the Alexandrine:
- Design and construction: The Alexandrine was a large, four-wheeled carriage with a covered body and a high roof. It was designed to carry mailbags, packages, and even passengers.
- Speed: The Alexandrine was a fast and reliable way to transport mail between cities. It could reach speeds of up to 10-12 miles per hour (16-19 km/h), which was quite impressive for its time.
- Route network: The Alexandrine operated on several routes across the UK, including London to Birmingham, London to Manchester, and London to Edinburgh.
- Mail capacity: Each Alexandrine carriage could carry up to 1,000 letters and 200 packages.
- Driver and horses: The carriage was driven by a skilled coachman and was pulled by four horses.
- End of an era: The Alexandrine was eventually replaced by the railways and the introduction of the Penny Post in 1840, which made mail delivery faster and more affordable.
The Alexandrine is an important part of Royal Mail's history, and its legacy can still be seen in the modern postal services that operate today.