September 29, 2009 Release # 09-083		USPS:  Augustine Ruiz (O) 408-437-6841  (C) 415-640-1447 augustine.ruiz.jr@usps.gov David Roth, Golden Gate Railroad Museum  (C) 510-367-8595 daveroth@ggrm.org
Postal Service Marks Railway Mail Service With Special Cancellation
What:	Special Postal cancellation to mark the 60^th anniversary of the inauguration of Railway Mail Service on the Oakland to Chicago City Of San Francisco streamliner. Mail will be hand canceled on board, as the Railway Post office car becomes an official USPS Post Office for the day. The historic cancel and cachet are available at the event, or you can bring your own mail to receive this unique cancel.
Who:	The Fremont Post Office Golden Gate Railroad Museum Niles Canyon Railway Retired Railway Mail Service Clerks
When:	Saturday October 3, 2009 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Where:	Niles Canyon Rwy Depot 37001 Mission Blvd Historic Niles District Fremont CA, 94536
Background:	October 1 will mark the 60^th anniversary of the inauguration of Railway Mail Service on the Oakland to Chicago City of San Francisco streamliner. Golden Gate Railroad Museum (GGRM) has in its collection Union Pacific 5901, the last surviving Railway Post Office (RPO) car from that train. GGRM members and several retired USPS Railway Mail Service clerks are restoring it to represent a working RPO. The RPO and several other historic railway cars will be on display at the Niles Canyon Rwy depot in the Historic Niles District of Fremont. For over 100 years the U.S.Post Office used Railway Post Office cars to sort mail on hundreds of trains each day all across the country. Come meet the men of the Railway Mail Service who worked this car until RPO service ended in 1967 The previous RPO event was held in Sunol CA, celebrating the final run of RMS on the Southern Pacific on October 13, 1967. Over 900 pieces of mail were canceled that day.
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