The railway from Melbourne to Sale opened in 1877 with service extended to Bairnsdale in 1887. TPO service began soon after the 1877 opening. TPO8 operated between Melbourne and Bairnsdale but by 1917 it only went as far as Traralgon. TPO9 may not have travelled as far as Bairnsdale.  TPO15 and 16 were added in 1885.

Stations served include Caulfield, Beaconsfield, Pakenham, Bunyip, Drouin, Warragul, Yarragon, Trafalgar, Moe, Morwell, Traralgon, Loy Yang, Rosedale, Sale, Stratford and Bairnsdale.

TPO's 8, 9, 15 and 16 operated along this rail route.

T15-U1 (Uptrain)

The 25mm circle uptrain cancel is recorded from June 11, 1885 until May 19, 1909.

It is a very common cancel on stamp and on cover.

T15-U2 (Uptrain)

A 28mm circle cancel is recorded as early as May 21, 1909 and as late as September 23, 1917.

It is common on stamps and somewhat scarce on cover.

T15-D1 (Downtrain)

The 24mm octagon cancel has an early recorded date of July 14, 1887 and a late recorded date in 1909.

This is reasonably common on stamp but only 1 cover has been recorded to date.

T15-D2 (Downtrain)

The 28mm circle type cancel is first seen on December 22, 1909. The late recorded date is December 22, 1916.

This is scarce on stamp and only 1 cover has been found thus far.

The Early and Late Record Dates shown are those published by Purves, or otherwise confirmed to me by various TPO collectors based on inventory in their respective collections.

Rarity factors shown have been deduced from the aggregate inventory of several major collections in this field, exceeding 10,000 strikes on loose stamps and 1050 covers in total; however, the statements on relative rarity are observations only and no warranty of accuracy shall be implied.

Reference: Victoria: The Travelling Post Offices and Their Markings (1865-1912) by JWRPurves (1979

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