Royal Mail train pictured in Carlisle after scrappage announced

The post office last week announced that they would not be renewing the locomotives after 30 years and would be moving to commercial services and road networks to deliver mail.

The Royal Mail trains have been an iconic feature of Britain’s railways since the 19th century and inspired the poem ‘Night Mail’ by W.H. Auden.

Royal Mail are also set to reduce the number of mail flights across the country.

READ MORE: Lake District: Visitors excited to see Bridget Jones filmed in Keswick

A spokesperson said: “Royal Mail will continue to use rail services to transport mail across the country however our own freight trains are at the end of their operational lives.

“The trains are almost 30 years old and it is increasingly difficult to secure parts for maintenance and the routes we need to meet our service requirements.

“To improve reliability, increase cost-effectiveness and remain consistent with our environmental goals, over the coming months we will cease operating our own trains whilst continuing to use a mix of rail, road and air to transport mail to all corners of the UK.”