Illinois Railway Museum will be hosting its annual RPO weekend this week June 12 and 13.
The program leaders have estimated 12-15 retired Railway Postal workers will be on hand to share their living history, actual "on the fly" mail pickups and deliveries will be made during each mainline passenger train trip.

USPS approved day of event covers will be available for purchase to raise funds to continue the restoration of the complete and functional CBQ RPO car.

www.irm.org

Someone has posted three short video clips on YouTube showing the IRM mail crane in action. I think they give an excellent look at how the darn things work. Train speed is 25mph. The second clip shows that actual Post Mistress from Union, IL loading the crane. First clip at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P2qWzJ5XXY&NR=1

Pete,

I believe the proper period term is Postmaster, whether the holder of the title is male or female.

To quote one female postmaster from long ago, "I don't get paid enough to be anyone's mistress!"

I saw them miss one which was kind of fun since they'd been snagging them so well it's easy to forget that it's not a sure thing. That once in a while it doesn't work is every bit a part of history as when it does. I'm not certain why the catch failed, whether the bag simply didn't stay put in the hook or the RMS man was overzealous and started dropping the hook just an instant too soon. Video sort of suggests the latter but not conclusively.

Here is the missed catch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhiRDtmp75A

And several perfect ones (from 2008):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IirDQzgzlQg

A view from aboard the RPO during a couple of catches (from 2009):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvRKKHhnRtQ

Steve