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Railway Histories

Abbey Holme and Leegate and Bolton Railway

This line was to run south-east from Abbey on the Carlisle & Silloth Bay Railway to the Maryport & Carlisle Railway near Leegate with three branches into the coalfields around Mealsgate. Although backed by the North British Railway, opposition from the Maryport & Carlisle with their 'Bolton Loop' line resulted in the defeat of the bill in Parliament in 1861 and 1862; the line was never built.

Aberdeen and Scottish Midland Junction Railways

Although never amalgamated under this title, the two companies did join together on 29th July 1856 to form the Scottish North Eastern Railway. 'Joint' paperwork was in use before this date.

Aberdeen and Turrif Railway

This was the new title taken on 19th April 1859 of what had been incorporated as the Banff, Macduff & Turriff Junction Railway. The line opened to Gellymill, a farm 1 mile south of Macduff on 4th June 1860. The company became part of the GNSR by an act of 30th July 1866.

Aberdeen Railway

Incorporated on 31st July 1845 for a line from Gutherie to Aberdeen. The line was opened in stages from 1 February 1848 to 2 August 1853. The company amalgamated with the Scottish Midland Junction Railway to form the Scottish North Eastern Railway on 29 July 1856.

Alexandra (Newport & South Wales) Docks & Railway

This company was incorporated in 1865 as the Alexandra (Newport) Dock Company and opened on 13th April 1875. It launched the Pontypridd, Caerphilly & Newport Railway in 1878 and changed its name to the above on 18th August 1882. It was vested in the GWR at the Grouping.

Alford Valley Railway

The 16½ mile line between Kintore and Alford was incorporated on 23rd June 1856 after an earlier scheme collapsed in 1846. The GNSR leased the line before completion and worked it from opening on 21st March 1859. The company became part of the GNSR on 30th July 1866.

Anstruther and St. Andrews Railway

Incorporated on 26th August 1880 and opened from Anstruther to Boarhills on 1st September 1883. A further act of 16th July of 1883 authorised an extension to connect with the North British Railway at St. Andrews. This opened on 1st June 1887 and the whole line was worked by the North British. The company was amalgamated with the North British Railway on 15th July 1897.

Arbroath and Forfar Railway

Incorporated on 17th May 1836 for a 15½ mile single track, 5' 6" gauge line laid on stone sleepers connecting the two towns. There was a branch to the Dundee & Arbroath Railway at Almericloss. The line was opened from Arbroath to Leysmill on 24th November 1838 and throughout on 3rd January 1839. The line was leased in perpetuity to the Aberdeen Railway from 1848, but the company was absorbed by neither that concern nor its successor the Caledonian, surviving independently until the grouping.

Ashby and Nuneaton Joint Railway

The L&NWR proposed a line from Ashby to Nuneaton via Market Bosworth. The midland had proposed an identical line in 1846 but the powers had lapsed. The revival of the plans resulted in a joint line authorised on 17th June 1867 and opened on 1st September 1873. The line was worked by both partners and became part of the LMS in 1923.

Axholme Joint Railway

This company was formed on 1st October 1902 when the NER and L&YR jointly bought the Goole & Marshlands Light Railway and the Isle of Axholme Light Railway. The G&MLR section from Goole to Reedness was opened on 8th January 1900, the Reedness to Crowle and the Eastoft to Fockerby sections on the 10th August 1903. The Crowle to Haxley Junction section was opened on 4th November 1904 and a goods extension to Hatfield Moor opened in 1909, mainly for peat traffic. The lines formed a link between the NER and L&YR systems and were vested jointly in the LNER and the LMSR at the Grouping.

Aylesbury and Buckingham Railway

Incorporated on 6th August 1860 to build a line linking the Buckinghamshire Railway at Claydon (later renamed Verney Junction) with the Aylesbury Railway at Aylesbury. The line opened on 23rd September 1868 but the connection with the Aylesbury Railway was never made. The GWR worked the line but it missed the chance to absorb the company when given a chance to do so by an act of 30th June 1874. The Company was taken over by the Metropolitan Railway on 25th July 1890 and in 1907 control passed to a joint Metropolitan and GCR committee.

Ayr and Maybole Junction Railway

Incorporated on 10th July 1854 to build a 5¼ mile line between the two towns. It opened on 15th September 1856 for goods and 13th October for passengers. The line was worked by the Glasgow & South Western Railway who eventually absorbed the company by an act of 29th June 1871.

Ayrshire and Wigtownshire Railway

This company was formed on 23rd May 1887 to take over the Girvan & Portpatrick Railway. This 32 mile line opened on 5th October 1877 and was always in financial difficulty even closing for a time in 1886. The A & WR was vested in the Glasgow & South Western Railway by an act of 20th June 1892.

Ayrshire Railway Branches

This was the name taken by the Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock & Ayr Railway for the extension of the line from Kilmarnock to Horsecleuch south of New Cumnock to link with the proposed Glasgow, Dumfries & Carlisle Railway. It also covered the branch to Muirkirk. The line received its act on 21st July 1845 and opened from Kilmarnock to Auchinleck on 9th August 1848 (as did the Muirkirk branch) and to Horsecleuch on 20th May 1850.

Bala and Festiniog Railway

Incorporated on 28th July 1873 to build a 22 mile single track line from Bala Junction to Festiniog. The company was backed by the GWR who leased the line from 27th March 1879. The line was opened to Llan Ffestiniog on 1st November 1882 and to Blaenau on 10th September 1883. The line was an attempt to reach the slate quarries of Blaenau Festiniog before the L&NWR but it was a year too late. The company was absorbed by the GWR under an act of 26th July 1910.

Ballycastle Railway

Incorporated on 22nd July 1878 to build a 16¼ mile 3ft gauge line from Ballymoney to Ballycastle in the County of Antrim. The line opened throughout on 18th October 1880. The line closed on 24th March 1924 and reopened on 11th August after the company was taken over by the LMS (NCC).

Banbury and Cheltenham Direct Railway

Incorporated on 21st July 1873, this company was an amalgamation of several schemes including the Bourton-on-the-Water Railway, the Chipping Norton Railway and the lines from Cheltenham to Bourton (opened on 1st June 1881) and from Chipping Norton to Kings Sutton (opened on 6th April 1887). The 33 mile line was worked by the GWR and absorbed by them on 1st July 1897.

Banff Macduff and Turriff Extension Railway

Incorporated on 27th July 1857 to extend the Banff, Macduff & Turriff Junction Railway from Turriff to Macduff. Gellymill, 1 mile from Macduff was reached on 4thJune 1860, but it was not until 1st July 1872 that the final section to was completed. The company was absorbed by the GNSR on 30th July 1866.

Banff Macduff and Turriff Junction Railway

Incorporated on 15th June 1855 to build a line from Inveramsay (GNSR) to Banff, later extended towards Macduff by the Banff, Macduff & Turriff Extension Railway. It opened to Turriff on 5th September 1857 and changed its name to the Aberdeen & Turriff Railway on 19th April 1859.

Barry Railway

Incorporated on 5th August 1891 as the new name of the Barry Dock & Railway Company opened in 1889. An extension to Barry Island was opened in July 1896 replacing an unbuilt tramway authorised in 1893. The route mile on 1st January 1922, when the company became part of the GWR, was 68 mile (300 track miles).

Bedford and Northampton Railway

The company was authorised on 5th June 1865 to build a line linking the two towns via Olney. At first it ran from Olney Junction to a temporary station in Northampton which was replaced when the line opened throughout on 10th June 1872. Amalgamated with the Midland on 16th July 1885.

Belfast and County Down Railway

Incorporated on 20th June 1846 to build a line from Belfast to Downpatrick, with branches to Holywood, Donaghadee and Bangor, a total of 44¾ miles. The line opened in various stages from 2nd August 1848 (Holywood branch) to 3rd June 1861 (Newtownards to Donaghadee). The Bangor branch was abandoned on 12th June 1861. The company became part of the Ulster Transport Authority on 1st April 1948.

Birkenhead Railway

This was the title taken by the Birkenhead, Lancashire & Cheshire Junction Railway on re-incorporation on 1st August 1859. The company's independence was short lived for it became a joint GWR and L&NWR line by an act of 11th July 1861, thus allowing the GWR access to Birkenhead. It became a GWR and LMSR joint line at the Grouping.

Birkenhead, Lancashire & Cheshire Junction Railway Company, Incorporated 1846 for a line from the Chester & Birkenhead Railway at Hooton, to the Manchester & Birmingham Railway at Stockport, 381/2 miles. Amalgamated with and absorbed the Chester & Birkenhead in 1847, name changed to Birkenhead Railway in 1859.

Blythe and Tyne Railway

An act of 30yh June 1852 incorporated various wagonways between the Rivers Tyne and Blyth into a single group. The concern prospered and extended its system to 42 miles. The company was amalgamated with the North Eastern Railway on 7th August 1874.

Bodmin and Wadebridge Railway

Incorporated on 23rd May 1832, Cornwall's first locomotive railway ran from Wadebridge to Wenford Bridge with branches to Bodmin and Ruthern Bridge. It opened throughout on 30th September 1834 and was 'acquired' by the L&SWR in 1847 although the situation was not legalised until an act of 25th June 1886. It was not connected to the rest of the L&SWR system until the North Cornwall Railway opened to Wadebridge in 1895.

Bolton and Leigh Railway

Incorporated on 31st march 1825, it opened for goods on 1st August 1828 and for passengers on 11th June 1831. It was the first public railway in Lancashire and was engineered by George Stephenson. The line was 8 miles long and the company consolidated with the Liverpool & Manchester, the Grand Junction and the Kenyon & Leigh Railways on 8th August 1845 before becoming part of the L&NWR on 16th July 1846.

Border Counties Railway

Incorporated on 31st July 1854, the line left the Border Union Railway (North British) at Riccarton Junction and ran south via Bellingham to join the Newcastle & Carlisle Railway at Hexham. The five miles from Hexham to Chollerford opened on 5th April 1858 and line was opened throughout on 24th June 1862. The company was absorbed the North British Railway by an act of 13th August 1860.

Border Counties Railway

Incorporated on 31st July 1854, the line left the Border Union Railway (North British) at Riccarton Junction and ran south via Bellingham to join the Newcastle & Carlisle Railway at Hexham. The five miles from Hexham to Chollerford opened on 5th April 1858 and line was opened throughout on 24th June 1862. The company was absorbed the North British Railway by an act of 13th August 1860.

Bourne and Lynn Joint Committee

This was the name used by the Midland & Eastern Railway. The M&ER was formed on23rd July by the amalgamation of the Lynn & Sutton Bridge Railway and the Spalding & Bourne Railway. it was actually a joint MR and GNR undertaking and the line was worked by the GNR. The company was amalgamated with the Eastern & Midlands Railway in June 1883.

Bourne and Lynn Joint Committee

This was the name used up front by the Midland & Eastern Railway. The M&ER was formed on 23rd July 1866 by the amalgamation of the Lynn & Sutton Bridge Railway and the Spalding & Bourne Railway. It was actually a joint MR and GNR undertaking and the line was worked by the GNR. The Company was amalgamated with the Eastern & Midlands Railway in June 1883.

Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil Junction Railway

Also known as the Brecon and Merthyr Railway, this company was authorised by acts of 1st august 1859, 15th May 1860 and 28th July 1863. The line was opened from Brecon to Talybont on 23rd April 1863 and to Merthyr on 1st August 1867. The Dowlais to Merthyr section was authorised jointly with the L&NWR. It acquired the Rumney Railway on 28th July 1863 in an attempt to reach Newport, a link finally being made on 1st September 1868. The company became part of the GWR on 1st January 1922.

Bristol and Exeter Railway

Incorporated for a broad gauge line on 19th May 1836. The line was leased by the GWR and opened from Bristol to Bridgewater on 14th June 1841, to Taunton on 1st July 1842 and to Exeter on 1st May 1844. The GWR lease expired on 30th April 1849 and the B&E took over the running. The Chard & Taunton (1863), the Cheddar Valley & Yatton (1865) and the Exe Valley Railways (1875) were all absorbed. The company eventually worked 213½ miles of line of which it owned 138½ miles. The line was leased again to the GWR wef 1st January 1876 and was amalgamated with them by an act of 27th June 1876.

Bristol Joint Station Company

Authorised on 19th July 1872, Bristol Temple Meads Station was a joint undertaking between the Midland, Bristol & Exeter and the Great Western Railways. It remained a joint undertaking under the GWR and LMSR until nationalisation on 1st January 1948.

Buckfastleigh, Totnes and South Devon Railway

Incorporated on 25th June 1864 to build a broad gauge branch from Totnes to Buckfastleigh. Powers were obtained the following year for an extension to Ashburton. It was 9miles and 20 chains long including the branches to Totnes Quays and was worked by the South Devon Railway from its opening on 1st May 1872. It was bought by the GWR on 1st July 1897 having been converted to standard gauge in May 1892.

Buckinghamshire Railway

This company was formed on 22nd July 1847 by the amalgamation of the Buckingham & Brackley Junction Railway and the Oxford & Bletchley Junction Railway, both authorised in 1846. The line was opened from Bletchley to Banbury on 30th March 1850 and from Verney Junction to Oxford on 20th May 1851. It was worked by the L&NWR from the start and the company was absorbed by them on 21st July 1879.

Buckley & Connah's Quay Railway

Also known as the Buckley Railway, this was the title taken by a 5 mile horse tramway connecting the two towns. The line was opened on 7th June after converting to a proper railway by an act of 14th June 1860. The line was never used for passenger traffic due to an almost continuous gradient of 1 in 33. On 30th June 1873, the line was leased to the Wrexham, Mold & Connah's Quay Railway and was vested in the Great Central Railway by an act of 22nd June 1904.

Burry Port and Gwendreath Valley Railway

Incorporated on 5th July 1865 as the Kidwelly and Burry Port Railway, it amalgamated with the Burry Port Company on 30th April 1866 and changed its name to the BP&GVR. The line opened from Burry Port to Cwmmawr in 1869. There was a total of 21 miles of single track of which 13 miles were 'main' line, the rest branches. Passengers were not legally carried until 1909 and the company was absorbed by the GWR wef 1st July 1922.

Cairn Valley Light Railway

This was the outcome of several abortive schemes to build along the Cairn Valley from a junction 1½ miles NW of Dumfries to Moniave. It received its LRO on 29th December 1899 and opened on 1st March 1905. Although nominally independent, the G&SWR controlled the company which passed to the LMSR at the grouping. The line closed to passengers on 3rd May 1943 and completely on 4th August 1947. >

Caledonian and Edinburgh & Glasgow Railways

Fierce competition between the Caledonian and the Edinburgh & Glasgow Railways for the traffic between the two cities resulted in ruinous price cutting by the two companies. In an attempt at reconciliation, the management and working of the two rival routes was put into the hands of a joint committee in early 1853. Parliament refused to sanction the arrangement and it was abandoned sometime in mid 1853 resulting in an even more bitter competition for traffic.

Caledonian Portpatrick and Glasgow & South Western Railways

This newspaper stamp states that it was used for 'parcels passing from one line to either of the others'. It is not known if any other paperwork carried the same 'joint' heading but these stamps are listed in Ewen's 1906 catalogue of newspaper and parcel stamps.

Callender and Oban Railway

Incorporated on 5th July 1865 this nominally independent line was backed by the Caledonian Railway. The line opened on 1st July 1880 and a branch from Connel Ferry to Ballachulish was authorised on 7th August 1896 and opened on 24th August 1903. The company remained independent until grouped into the LMS in 1923.

Cambrian Railways

Formed on 25th July 1864 by the merger of the Oswestry, Ellesmere & Welshpool, the Oswestry & Newtown, the Llanidloes & Newtown and the Newtown & Machynlleth Railways. The Aberystwyth & Welsh Coast Railway was absorbed on the 5th July 1865. The Mid wales Railway was absorbed in 1904, the Vale of Rheidol in 1913 and the Tanat Valley Light Railway in 1921. The company became part of the GWR at the Grouping.

Cardiff Railway

Originally incorporated as the Bute Docks Company , this was the sixth and last railway into Cardiff. Authorised on 6th August 1897 to build lines to the docks, it actually only built one 6½ mile local branch. It opened for goods on 15th May 1909 and for passengers on 1st March 1911. It remained independent until becoming part of the GWR at the Grouping.

Carlisle and Silloth and Port Carlisle Railways

Both these companies were leased to the North British Railway on 3rd June 1862. This document is dated 7 days after the act was passed but before the actual lease took effect (3rd August). Presumably, paperwork with both companies names was in use up to the amalgamation of both companies with the North British Railway on 12th August 1880.

Carlisle and Silloth Bay Railway and Dock Company

Incorporated on 1st July 1855 to build a 13 mile line from the Port Carlisle Dock & Railway's line at Drumburgh to Silloth. The almost level line was quickly completed and opened on 28th August 1856. The PCD&R provided the engine and the C&SBR the rolling stock. The North British Railway leased the line on 3rd June 1862 and absorbed the company on 12th August 1880.

Carmarthen and Cardigan Railway

Incorporated on 7th August 1854 to build a line between the two towns but Cardigan was never reached. The Carmarthen to Conwil section was opened on 3rd September 1860 and was worked by the SWR using GWR engines. The line was always in financial difficulties and was bought by the GWR on 22nd August 1881 who continued the line to Newcastle Emlyn on 1st July 1895.

Carnarvon and Llanberris Railway

Incorporated on 14th July 1864 to build a 9 mile line from the coast to villages at the foot of Snowdon. Building was suspended during the 1866 financial crisis and the L&NWR bought the last 4½ mile with running powers over the rest. The line was worked by the L&NWR from the opening on 1st July 1869 and the company was vested in the L&NWR by an act of 4th July 1870.

Castle Douglas and Dumfries Railway

Incorporated on 21st July 1856 to build a line between the two towns. The G&SWR backed the project and worked the line from opening on 7th November 1859. It eventually absorbed the company on 5th July 1865.

Castlederg and Victoria Bridge Tramway

Incorporated on 16th July 1883 for a 7¼ mile 3ft gauge line from Victoria Bridge on the Londonderry and Enniskillen section of the Great Northern of Ireland Railway, to Castlederg. The tramway opened on 4th July 1884 and remained independent until closure 17th April 1933.

Cathcart District Railway

This nominally independent company, backed by the Caledonian Railway, was authorised on 7th September 1880 to build a 2½ mile line from Pollakshields to Cathcart. It opened throughout on 25th May 1886. A 3 mile extension to Muirhouse Junction was authorised on 19th July 1887 and opened on 2nd April 1894. The company was grouped into the LMSR in 1923.

Central London Railway

Incorporated on 5th August 1891 to build a line from Wood Lane east of Shepherds Bush to bank. The Shepherds Bush to Bank section was opened on 30th July 1900 and short extensions to Wood Lane on 14 May 1908 and Liverpool St. on 28th July 1912. A further extension from Wood Lane to Ealing Broadway was opened on 3rd August 1920. It was vested in the LPTB on 1st July 1933.

Charnwood Forest Railway

Incorporated on 16th July 1874 for a 10¾ mile line from Coalville to Loughborough. The line opened on 16th April 1883 and was worked by the L&NWR. Financial difficulties lead to an Official receiver being appointed in 1885. By 1909 the Company was solvent again and it remained independent until absorbed by the LMSR on 1st July 1923.

Cheshire Lines Committee

This was formed on 5th July 1865 when the constituents were vested in the GNR and the MS&LR. They were joined by the Midland in 1866 and incorporated by an act of 15 August 1867. The line amalgamated to form the CLC were:- the Stockport & Woodley Junction, Stockport, Timperley & Altrincham Junction, West Cheshire, Chester & West Cheshire Junction and the Garston & Liverpool Railways. In 1866 a further seven line were brought under the control of the CLC:- Liverpool Central Station, Northwich Salt Branches, and the Godley & Woodley, Chester Extension, Manchester Central, Liverpool Extension and the Liverpool North Extension Railways. The company remained independent until Nationalisation.

Chester and Birkenhead Railway

Authorised on 12th June 1837 to build a line from the Chester & Crewe Railway at Chester to Grange Lane at Birkenhead. It was opened on 23rd September 1840 and the line was extended to Monks Ferry on 23rd October 1844. Monks ferry closed to passengers on the opening of a new terminus at Woodside on 31st March 1878. The company merged with the Birkenhead, Lancashire & Cheshire Junction Railway on 22nd July 1847.

Chester and Holyhead Railway

Incorporated on 4th July 1844. The first section from Chester to Saltney Junction was opened jointly with the Shrewsbury & Chester Railway on 4th November 1846. Opened to Bangor on 1st May 1848 and from Llanfair PG to Holyhead on 1 August 1848. The line opened throughout on 18th March when the Britannia Bridge across the Menai Straight was opened. Worked by the L&NWR from the outset, it was purchased by them on 1st January 1859 although the company was not dissolved until 21st July 1879.

Churnet Valley Railway

Though independent in that it had its own directors, its act of 26th June 1846 incorporated it as the North Staffordshire Railway (Churnet Valley Line). It was regarded from the start as a constituent of the NSR. The 38½ mile line from Macclesfield to Burton was opened on 11th September 1849.

City and South London Railway

Originally incorporated as the City of London & Southwark Subway Company on 28th July 1884, it was renamed by an act of 25th July 1890. It opened from King William Street (now Borough) to Stockwell on 18th December 1890. Extension were opened to Moorgate, Clapham Common and Euston, giving a total line of 7¼ miles. The company remained independent until amalgamation with the LPTB on 1st July 1933. The line now forms part of the Northern (City) line.

City of Glasgow Union Railway

Incorporated on 29th July 1864 to build 6¼ miles of line which included St Enoch station as its terminus. The first section from Pollock Junction to Dunlop Street opened on 12th December 1870. However it took until 17th May 1876 for the line to be completed with the official opening of St Enoch. The station was vested in the G&SWR on 23rd June 1883 and on 7th August 1896, the company was dissolved. The NBR took over the section N and W of College West Junction, and the rest became part of the G&SWR.

Cleator and Workington Junction Railway

Authorised on 27th June 1876, the company comprised of 15¼ miles of lines including branches from the Cumbrian iron ore fields to the port of Workington. The line opened for goods on 4th August 1879 and to passengers on 1st October. The line was worked by the Furness Railway and became part of the LMSR at the Grouping.

Clougher Valley Railway

Originally incorporated in 1884 as the Clougher Valley Tramway the title was changed in 1894. The line ran from Tynan to Maguiresbridge, both termini being GNR stations. It opened on 2nd May 1887 and the company remained independent until closure on 1st January 1942.

Clydesdale Railway Guaranteed Company

The Caledonian Railway took over the Clydesdale Junction Railway on 18th August 1846, three years before it opened on 1st June 1849. The company retained its identity within the Caledonian under the above title. The company was finally dissolved under the Caledonian Guaranteed Annuities Act of 1880.

Cockermouth and Workington Railway

This 8¾ mile line was authorised on 21st July 1845. The line opened on 28th April 1847 and a new dock at Workington was authorised in 1861. A branch to serve the dock was authorised on 8th June 1863 and opened in September 1864. Absorbed by the L&NWR on 16th July 1866.

Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith Railway

Conceived as an extension of the South Durham & Lancashire Union Railway it was authorised on 1st August 1861. The 31 mile line was opened for goods on 26th October 1864 and for passengers on 2nd January 1865. It was worked by the L&NWR except for mineral traffic which was worked by the Stockton & Darlington Railway as owners of the SD&LUR. The company became part of the LMSR at the Grouping.

Colne Valley and Halstead Railway

Incorporated on 30th June 1856 to build a 6¼ mile line from the Colchester & Stour Valley Railway at Chappel to Halstead in Essex. By an act of 13th August 1859 the line was extended to Haverhill. The Chappel to Halstead section was opened on 16th April 1860 and the complete 20 mile line to Haverhill on 10th May 1863. It remained independent until being taken over by the LNER on 1st January 1923.

Córas Iompair Éireann

The CIE, roughly translated as Ireland's Transport Company, came into being on 1st January 1945 by the amalgamation of the Great Southern Railways and the Dublin United Transport. The company was nationalised on 1st June 1950. On 2nd February 1987, the railway portion of the CIE became Iarnod Eireann (Irish Rail) however the CIE remains as the holding company of all the divisions.

Cork and Macroom Direct Railway

Incorporated on 1st August 1861 for a 24¾ mile line from the Cork & Bandon Railway near Cork to Macroom. The line opened on 12th May 1866 and a branch from Ballyphehane to Capwell was opened in October 1879. It became part of the Great Southern Railway in 1925.

Cork Bandon and South Coast Railway

This was the name taken on 5th July 1888 of the Cork & Bandon Railway which had been incorporated on 21st July 1845 and opened in December 1851. The company became one of the constituents of the Great Southern Railway under the act of 23rd July 1924.

Cork Blackrock and Passage Railway

Promoted as the Cork, Blackrock, Passage & Monkstown Railway it was incorporated on 16th July 1846 as the CB&PR. It opened as a 6½ mile standard Irish gauge line (5ft 3ins) from Cork to Passage on 8th June 1850. An act of 7th August 1896 authorised a 9½ mile 3ft gauge extension to Crosshaven, opened in June 1904. In 1900 the original section was re-gauged to match the extension. The company was absorbed by the Great Southern Railways on 1st January 1925.

Cornwall Minerals Railway

Authorised on 21st July 1873 to take over the Newquay & Cornwall Junction and the Lostwithiel & Fowey Railways and to build several other goods branches. They were all open by 1st June 1874 and a passenger service was begun on the Newquay - Fowey section on 20th June 1876. The line was leased to the GWR on 10th August 1877 and absorbed by them on 7th August 1896.

Corringham Light Railway

Built under a LRO of 1st July 1899 it ran from Corringham in Essex to Shell Haven on the north bank of the Thames. It opened for goods on 1st January 1901 and for passengers on the 29th. It remained independent through the Grouping and Nationalisation until closure on 1st March 1952.

Corris Railway

Originally incorporated as the Corris, Machynlleth & River Dovey Tramroad on 12th July 1858. The 6½ mile line was built to a gauge of 2ft 3ins and ran from Aberllefni and the Corris Slate Quarries to the River Dovey at Machynlleth. The line was opened for mineral traffic only on 30th April 1859. On 25th July 1864 the name of the company was changed to the Corris Railway and an act of 18th June 1883 allowed the line to be used for passenger traffic. The company was bought by the GWR on 4th August 1930. Passenger traffic ceased on 1st January 1931 and the line was closed completely on 20th August 1948.

Corwen and Bala Railway

Incorporated on 30th June 1862 to continue the Llangollen & Corwen Railway along the Dee Valley. The 4¾ mile section to Llandrillo opened on 16th July 1866 and the line reached Bala on 1st April 1868. The GWR worked the line from the outset and absorbed it on 7th August 1896.

County Donegal Railways Joint Committee

Incorporated on 1st May 1906, when the Donegal Railway was purchased jointly by the Midland Railway and the Great Northern Railway (Ireland). As the GNR(I) already had a line from Londonderry to Strabane, the ex Donegal line connecting the two towns passed exclusively to the Midland. The MR's share passed to the British Transport Commission via the LMS. The GNR(I) half passed to the CIE. The last section of line closed on 1st January 1960, the company ran bus services however until 1971.

Crofthead and Kilmarnock Extension Railway

Incorporated on 29th June 1865 to build a 20½ mile line between the two towns with a branch to Beith. The line opened on 26th June 1873. On the 12th July 1869, the company was vested jointly in the Caledonian and Glasgow & South Western Railway and along with other lines became the Glasgow, Barrhead and Kilmarnock Joint Railway.

Culm Valley Light Railway

The company was granted a Light Railway Order on 15th May 1873 for a line from Tiverton Junction to Hemyock. The line was opened on 29th May 1876 and sold to the GWR in April 1880.

Dearne Valley Railway

Promoted by colliery owners, this line was authorised on 6th August 1897 and ran from the H&BR near Hemsworth to the GN/GE joint line at Black Carr in Doncaster. It opened in stages, but finally throughout on 17th May 1909. The L&Y worked the line and built an extension to the Wakefield - Goole line at Crofton. The Company joined the LMS at the Grouping in 1923.

Deeside Railway

Incorporated on 16th July 1846 to build a 29½ mile line from Aberdeen to Aboyne, however in 1851 it was decided to build only as far as Banchory, some 14½ miles. The line opened on 7th September 1853 and the extension to Aboyne was re-authorised as the Deeside Extension Railway. The line was leased by the GNSR on 1st September 1866 and the company was amalgamated with the GNSR on 13th July 1876¼

Denbigh Ruthin and Corwen Railway

Authorised on 23rd July 1860 it was opened from Denbigh to Ruthin on 1st March 1862 and throughout on 1st September 1865. The Company was vested in the L&NWR by an act of 3rd July 1879. The line closed for passengers on 2nd February 1953 and for goods on 30th April 1962.

Derwent Valley Light Railway

The first LRO for this line was granted on 29th September 1899 but was allowed to lapse. A second order was obtained on 19th December 1905. The 16½ mile single line ran from Cliff Common on the Selby to Market Weighton line along the Derwent Valley to Layerthorpe in York. It opened on 19th July 1913. Passenger services ceased on the 1st September 1926. The line finally closed on the 15th November 1980, retaining its independence throughout its existence.

Devon and Somerset Railway

This 42½ mile broad gauge line was authorised on 29th July 1864 and ran from Norton Fitzwarren to Barnstable. It opened to Wiveliscombe on 8th June 1871 and to Barnstable on 1st November 1873. It was worked by the B&ER and passed to the GWR by an act of 26th July 1901.

Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway

Authorised on 5th August 1873 to link the GWR at Didcot with the L&SWR near Micheldever but the two companies argued so much about connections that the company obtained its own powers for a route into Southampton on 10th August 1882. Opened from Didcot to Newbury on 13th April 1882 and to Winchester on 1st May 1885. The connection there with the L&SWR was not completed until 1st October 1891. The line became part of the GWR at the Grouping.

Dublin and Drogheda Railway

Incorporated in August 1836, the line opened between Dublin and Drogheda on 26th May 1844. A branch to Howth opened on 30th July 1846 and the Drogheda - Navan branch was acquired from the Dublin & Belfast Junction Railway and extended to Kells on 11th June 1853. The company amalgamated with the Dublin & Belfast Junction Railway on 1st March 1875 to form the Northern Railway Company (Ireland).

Dublin and South Eastern Railway

This was name taken on 1st January 1907 by the former Dublin, Wicklow & Wexford Railway. The company did not take part in the amalgamations which led to the forming of the Great Southern Railway on 12th November 1924 but did join the Great Southern Railways (plural) from 1st January 1925.

Dumbarton and Balloch Joint Railway

This company was formed by an agreement between the CR and NBR, ratified on 27th June 1892, to run the 6 miles of line between Balloch and Dumbarton East. The company also owned a fleet of steamers on Loch Lomond. The line was opened on 1st October 1896 and was vested jointly in the CR and NBR from 1st August 1909. It became a joint LMS/LNER line at the grouping.

Dumfries Lochmaben and Lockerby Junction Railway

A Caledonian Railway backed scheme, authorised on 14th June 1860 and opened on 1st September 1863. It allowed the Caledonian access to the Portpatrick & Wigtownshire Joint Railway via running powers across G&SWR territory. The company was amalgamated with the Caledonian Railway on 5th July 1865.

Dundalk Newry and Greenore Railway

This was the name taken on 21st July 1873 by the former Dundalk & Greenore Railway, incorporated on 28th July 1863 and opened on 30th April 1873 and the Newry & Greenore Railway also incorporated in 1863. The Newry - Greenore line opened on 1st August 1876. The company was owned by the LNWR and passed to the LMS at the grouping, the line eventually closing on 31st December 1951.

Dundee and Arbroath Railway

Incorporated on 19th May 1836 to build a 5' 6" gauge 16¾ line between the two towns. The line opened from a temporary station at Craigie (Dundee) to Broughty Ferry on 6th October 1838 and throughout on 2nd April 1840. A junction with the Arbroath & Forfar Railway was opened on 23rd December 1847 and a new joint station replaced the two companies separate stations. The line was re-gauged between 1848 and 1850. The company was absorbed by the SNER on 31st January 1862 and then passed to the CR. By an act of 21st July 1879 it passed jointly to the NBR and CR becoming the Dundee & Arbroath Joint Railway.

Dundee and Newtyle Railway

Incorporated on 26th May 1826 for an 11 mile line between the two towns. Opened partially on 16th December 1831 and fully on 3rd April 1832, it was worked by horse until 1833. The company was vested in the Scottish Central Railway on 28th July 1863, but maintained a separate identity until the Grouping in 1923.

Dundee and Perth and Aberdeen Railway Junction

This was the title assumed by the Dundee & Perth Railway from the end of 1848. The company was vested in the Scottish Central Railway on 28th July 1863 and remained a separate undertaking vested in the Caledonian until 8th April 1881 when it was dissolved.

Easingwold Railway

Authorised on 23rd August 1887 fore a 2½ mile line from the NER at Alne to Easingwold. It opened on 1st July 1891. Although a light railway in character, it had been built to conventional main line standards as the Light Railway Act had yet to be passed. The Company remained independent until closure on 27th December 1957.

East and West Junction and Stratford-upon-Avon, Towcester and Midland Junction Railways

This was the name taken by the joint committee formed on 1st April 1891 to run the two companies in the title. The two companies, along with the Evesham, Reddich & Stratford-upon-Avon Railway became the Stratford-upon-Avon & Midland Junction Railway on 1st August 1908.

East and West Junction Railway

Authorised on 23rd June 1864 to build a line from Stratford-on-Avon to Towcester. Eventually it opened on 1st July 1873 after experiencing financial problems. An official receiver was appointed in 1875 and the Company went on to form a joint committee with the Stratford-on-Avon, Towcester & Midland Junction Railway on 1st April 1891.

East and West Yorkshire Union Railway

Incorporated on 2nd August 1883 to build a line from the Hull & Barnsley Railway at Drax to a junction with the GNR at Ardsley. It opened on 19th May 1891 and was effectively a local venture run by the Charlesworth family to serve their collieries. It took over the South Leeds Junction Railway on 2nd July 1896 and passed to the LNER in 1923.

East Gloucestershire Railway

Incorporated on 7th July 1862, with GWR support, to build a 50 mile line from Witney to Cheltenham. The GWR backed out and the Company decided to go it alone, but only 14 miles between Witney and Fairford was opened on 15th January 1873. Absorbed by the GWR on 4th August 1890.

East Kent Railway

Built under a LRO of 19th June 1911 to link pits in the Kent coalfield. The line opened for goods in November 1912 and for passenger traffic on 31st October 1928. This traffic ceased on 31st October 1948 and goods stopped on 1st July 1951 except for the Shepherds Well to Tilmanstone section which lasted until 1st March 1984. The Company retained its independence until Nationalisation.

East Lancashire Railway

This was the name taken by the Manchester Bury & Rossendale railway on 21st July 1843. On the 3rd August, the company absorbed the Blackburn & Preston, the Blackburn, Burnley, Accrington & Colne Extension and the Liverpool, Ormskirk & Preston Railways. An extension to Bacup was opened on 1st October 1852. The company itself was absorbed by the L&YR on 13th May 1859.

East Lincolnshire Railway

Incorporated on 26th June 1846 to build a 47½ mile line from Grimsby to Boston via Louth. It opened from Grimsby to Louth on 1st March 1848, to Frisby on 4th September and to Boston on 2nd October. The line was leased to the GNR on 2nd September 1846 (act of 9th July 1847) but the company retained its independence until the Grouping when it became part of the LNER.

East London Railway

Incorporated on 26th June 1865 with a view to linking up the railways north and south of the Thames. The line was opened between New Cross and Wapping on 6th December 1869, utilising a tunnel under the Thames built by Marc Brunel in 1843 for horse and pedestrian traffic. It was extended to the GER line at Bishopgate on 10th April 1876. Leased to the LB&SCR, MR, MDR, GER and SER it passed to the Southern at the Grouping and to the LTE in 1948.

East Norfolk Railway

One of the earliest lines north of Norfolk, it was authorised on 23rd June 1864 for a line from Whitlingham Junction to North Walsham. Other acts extended the line to Cromer and to County School. The section from Whitlington to North Walsham opened on 20th October 1874, to Cromer on 26th March 1877 and to County School on 1st May 1882. The Company was absorbed by the GER by an act of 3rd June 1881.

Eastern and Midlands Railway

Formed by the amalgamation of the Lynn & Fakenham, the Yarmouth Union and the Yarmouth & North Norfolk Railways on 18th August 1882. A line from Melton Constable to Norwich (City) opened on 2nd December 1882 and to Cromer (Beach) on 16th June 1887. The company absorbed the Midland & Eastern and the Peterborough, Wisbeach & Sutton Bridge Railways from 1st July 1883 and was taken over by the Midland & Great Northern Railway on 1st July 1893.

Eastern Counties and London and Blackwall Railway Companies
London and Tilbury Extension Railway

Incorporated on 17th June 1852 to extend the London & Blackwall Railway from Forest Gate to Southend via Tilbury. The forest Gate-Tilbury section opened on 13th April 1854, to Leigh on 1st July 1855 and to Southend on 1st March 1856. The line was leased in 1854 to the contractor Peto, Brassey & Petts for 21 Years. When the lease expired the Company ran the line themselves.

Eastern Counties Railway

Incorporated on 4th July 1836 for a 126 mile line from London to Great Yarmouth. The line only got as far as Colchester on 7th March 1843 and was laid to a gauge of 5ft. but was soon converted to standard gauge. The company leased the Northern & Eastern Railway and extended it to Cambridge. By an act of 7th August 1862, it amalgamated with the Norfolk, Eastern Union, East Anglian and the East Suffolk Railways to form the Great Eastern Railway.

Eastern Union Railway

Incorporated on 19th July 1844 to build a 17 mile line between Colchester and Ipswich. It opened on 1st June 1846. The Company absorbed the Eastern Union & Hadleigh Junction and the Ipswich & Bury St. Edmonds Railways. The Eastern Counties Railway took over the working on 1st January 1854 and the Company became one of the constituents of the GER on 7th August 1862.

Easton and Church Hope Railway

Originally authorised on 25th July 1867 to build a 1½ mile line linking quarries at Easton with Church Hope Cove on the Isle of Portland. The works were abandoned in 1874 only to be revived by fresh powers on 14th august 1884 this time for a 3½ mile line from Easton to Portland. It was a joint GWR and L&SWR enterprise and opened on 1st October 1900. It retained its identity under the GWR and SR until Nationalisation.

Eden Valley Railway

Incorporated on 21st May 1858 to form a link between Kirby Stephen on the South Durham & Lancashire Union Railway and the Lancaster & Carlisle Railway at Clifton, south of Penrith. The line was opened on 8th April 1862. It was single throughout and was worked by the Stockton & Darlington Railway who absorbed it by an act of 30th June 1862.

Edinburgh and Bathgate Railway

Incorporated on 3rd August 1846 as the first stage of an alternative route between Edinburgh and Glasgow. It opened from the Edinburgh & Glasgow Railway near Ratho to Bathgate on 12th November 1849. The line was leased to the North British Railway for 999 years by the act of incorporation and worked by them from opening. The company retained independence, passing to the LNER in 1923.

Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway

Authorised on 26th May 1826 as a coal carrying horse drawn tramway, built to a gauge of 4' 6". It linked collieries near Edinburgh with the Firth of Forth at Fisherrow and later Leith, a total length of 17¼ miles including branches. It opened in stages between 4th July 1831 (St Leonards to Eskbank) and autumn 1835 (Dalkeith branch). The line was purchased by the NBR on 21st July 1845 and converted to standard gauge.

Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway

Incorporated on 4th July 1838 for a 46 mile line between the two cities. The line opened on 21st February 1842 and was extended from Haymarket to meet the North British Railway at the new Waverley Station on 1st August 1846.The company was absorbed by the North British Railway by an act of 5th July 1865.

Edinburgh and Northern Railway

Incorporated on 31st July 1844 to build a line from Burntisland to a Junction with the Scottish Central Railway near Perth. The company also owned the ferries across the Firth of Forth. It amalgamated with the Edinburgh, Leith & Granton Railway on 22nd July 1847 and both companies were dissolved and re-incorporated as the Edinburgh, Perth & Dundee Railway in April 1849.

Edinburgh Leith and Granton Railway

This was the title taken on 19th July 1844 when the Edinburgh, Leith & Newhaven Railway was re-incorporated following a route change. The company was amalgamated with the Edinburgh & Northern Railway by an act of 2nd July 1847.

Ely Valley Extension Railway

Incorporated on 28th July 1863, this broad gauge line was worked by GWR and ran from Gelli'r hiadd to Gilfach Goch. It opened for goods on 8th January 1862 and for passengers on 16th October 1865. Amalgamated with the Ogmore Valley Railways on 5th July 1865. The line closed to passengers on 22nd September 1930 and to goods on 5th June 1961.

Evesham, Reddich and Stratford -upon-Avon Junction Railway

This 7¾ mile line was authorised on 5th August 1873 to run from Broom to Stratford-upon-Avon. It opened on 2nd June 1879 and was worked from the outset by the East & West junction Railway. the company was soon in financial trouble and an official receiver was appointed on 2nd January 1886. The Company amalgamated with the E&WJ and the ST&MJR to form the Stratford-upon-Avon and Midland Junction Railway on 1st August 1908.

Exeter, Teign Valley and Chagford Railway

Incorporated on 20th August 1883, the 8¾ mile line was to run from Exeter St. Thomas to an end on connection with the Teign Valley Railway at Christow. A 10 mile branch to Chagford was also authorised. The Company changed its name to the Exeter Railway on 12th August 1898 when it abandoned its Chagford branch. The line to Christow finally opened on 1st July 1903.

Festiniog Railway

Incorporated on 23rd May 1832 to build a 1ft.11½in gauge line from the slate quarries at Blaenau Ffestiniog to the harbour at Portmadoc. The 13½ mile line opened on 20th April 1836. It changed from horse to steam haulage for good in 1863. Steam-hauled passenger services began in January 1865 and ended in 1939. The line closed totally in 1946 and reopened as a tourist line in 1954.

Fishguard & Rosslare Railways and Harbours Company

This was the name taken on the 31st July 1894 by the Fishguard Bay Railway and Pier which had been incorporated on 29th June 1893 to build a harbour and Breakwater and a mile of railway linking them with the North Pembroke and Fishguard Railway. it opened on 14th March 1895 and remained independent to become jointly owned by British Railways and Coras Iompair Eireann.

Fishguard and Rosslare Railways and Harbours Company

This was the name taken on 31st July 1894 by the Fishguard Bay Railway & Pier. The F&RR&H took over the Waterford & Wexford and the Waterford, Dungarvan & Lismore Railways in 1898 and opened a new line from Waterford to Rosslare on 1st August 1906. The company remained independent to become jointly owned by Coras Iompair Eireann and the British Railways Board.

Forest of Dean Central Railway

Incorporated on 11th July 1856 to build a line from collieries to a new dock at Brimspill on the River Severn. The dock was never built and eventually 4¾ miles of broad gauge line was opened on 25th May 1868. Connecting with the GWR at Awre, the company retained nominal independence from the GWR until the Grouping.

Forth and Clyde Junction Railway

Incorporated on 4th August 1853 for a 30 mile line between Stirling and the Caledonian & Dumbartonshire Railway. It opened from Stirling to Buchlyvie on 18th March 1856 and throughout on the 26th May. The line was leased to the North British Railway on 1st August 1875 but the company retained its independence until the grouping.

Forth Bridge Railway

Incorporated on 5th August 1873 to build a 14¾ mile line from Dalmeny to Burntisland and was sponsored by the North British Railway to link their lines on either side of the Firth of Forth. Work started in September 1878 but was suspended following the Tay Bridge collapse. In 1880 the plan was abandoned and a new act of 12th July 1882 authorised a new 4½ mile line and redesigned bridge. The bridge was opened on 4th March 1890 and although the NBR were authorised by the 1882 act to buy the company they never did and it remained technically independent until nationalisation in 1948.

Furness Railway

Incorporated on 23rd may 1844 to build a line from Barrow to the mines at Lidal. This section opened on 12th August 1846. Various extensions and absorption's of smaller companies enlarged the system until, by 1918, it owned 428½ track miles including sidings. The Company remained independent until the Grouping.

Garnkirk and Glasgow Railway

Incorporated on 26th May 1826 to build a 4' 6"gauge line from a junction with the Monkland & Kirkintilloch Railway near Gartsherrie to carry coal to Glasgow. The ceremonial opening took place on 27th September 1831 and it was the first Scottish railway to give a regular goods and passenger service. Its Glasgow station was the only one to serve the city for ten years. A branch to Coatbridge opened in 1843 and by a act of 19th July 1844, the company became the Glasgow, Garnkirk & Coatbridge Railway.

Garstang and Knot End Railway

Incorporated on 30th June 1864 to build a 7 mile line from Garstang & Catterall on the Lancaster & Preston Junction Railway to Pilling. The line opened on 5th December 1870 but passenger services only lasted until 11th March 1872. The line fell into disuse and an Official Receiver was appointed. Traffic resumed again in 1875 and the line was bought by the Knott End Railway on 1st July 1908.

Girvan and Portpatrick Junction Railway

Incorporated on 5th July 1865 for a 32 mile line from Girvan to the Portpatrick Railway at Challoch Junction. The line opened on 5th October 1877 and used running powers to reach Portpatrick Harbour. The line was badly managed and accident prone. Because tolls were unpaid, the Portpatrick Railway barred entry onto its lines for a period. It was worked by the G&SWR from opening and the company was eventually reconstituted as the Ayrshire & Wigtownshire Railway on 23rd May 1887.

Glasgow & South Western Railway - Caledonian Railway
(Greenock Section) and Glasgow & Paisley Joint Railway

Paperwork bearing the above title was used at Paisley Gilmore Street Station as all three companies used the station.

Glasgow and Paisley Joint Railway

On 15th July 1837 the Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock & Ayr (later G&SWR) and the Glasgow, Paisley & Greenock Railways (later CR) were incorporated. Between Glasgow and Paisley, both lines were to be laid on nearly the same route. The promoters agreed that part of the GP&G line would be dropped and that the GPK&A line would become a joint line between Glasgow and Paisley. The joint line opened on the 13th July 1840. It remained a joint G&SWR / CR undertaking until grouped into the LMS in 1923.

Glasgow Barrhead and Kilmarnock Joint Railway

By an act of 12th July 1869, the Caledonian and the Glasgow & South Western Railways were authorised to improve and complete a direct line between Glasgow and Kilmarnock via Crofthead. The line opened on 26th June 1873 as did a branch to Beith. The joint company absorbed the Crofthead & Kilmarnock Extension and the Glasgow, Barrhead & Neilson Direct Railways and was finally grouped into the LMS in 1923.

Glasgow Dumfries and Carlisle Railway

Incorporated on 13th August 1846 for a line from Gretna Junction (CR) to an end on junction with the Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock & Ayr Railway's New Cumnock extension. It opened from Dumfries to Gretna on 23rd August 1848 and throughout on 28th October 1850, on which date it amalgamated with the GPK&AR to form the Glasgow & South Western Railway.

Glasgow Paisley Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway

Incorporated on 15th July 1837 to build a line from Ayr to Glasgow with branches to Dalry and Kilwinning. The line opened from Ayr to Irvine on 5th August 1839 and throughout on 12th August 1840. The company amalgamated with the Glasgow Dumfries & Carlisle railway upon their opening on 28th October 1850 to form the Glasgow & South Western Railway.

Golden Valley Railway

Authorised on 13th July 1876 to build a 18¾ mile line from Pontrilas to Hay-on-Wye. The Pontrilas to Dorstone section was opened on 1st September 1881 and the second section from Dorstone to Hay on the 27th may 1889.Following financial difficulties, the line closed on 20th April 1898 and reopened on 1st May 1901 after being vested in the GWR on 1st July 1899.

Great Central & North Staffordshire Railway Committee

This was the new name taken in 1907 by the Macclesfield Committee which itself had been renamed from the Macclesfield Bollington & Marple Railway, authorised on 14th July 1864. The 10½ mile line from Marple to Macclesfield was opened on 2nd August 1869. The undertaking became a LNER/LMSR joint line.

Great Central and Midland Joint Railway

The Sheffield & Midland Joint Committee had been incorporated on 24th June 1869 as a joint MR and MS&LR company to take over the Manchester & Stockport Railway. It changed its name to the GC&MJR by an act of 22nd July 1904. At the Grouping it became a joint LNER / LMSR undertaking.

Great Central and North Western Joint Committee

This was the title taken on the 4th August 1905 by the joint committee which ran two former MS&LR and LNWR joint lines:- the Manchester South Junction & Altrincham Railway and the Oldhan, Ashton-under-Lyne & Guide Bridge Junction Railway. The MSJ&AR opened from Altrincham to Manchester London road on 1st August 1849 having become a joint company in 1847. The OA&GBJR opened from Mumps (Oldham L&NWR) to Guide Bridge on 31st July 1861 and was absorbed by the MS&LR and LNWR on 30th June 1862.

Great Central Railway

An act of 3rd June 1897 authorised the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway to change its name to the great Central Railway. The GCR became part of the LNER at the Grouping.

Great Central, Hull and Barnsley and Midland Committee

By the Midland Railways act of 9th August 1907, the powers of the Great Central, Hull & Barnsley Railways Joint Committee were transferred to the new company. The GC,H&BRJC had been authorised on 20th July 1906 to construct a portion of the Thurscoe to Dinnington line. The company became one third LMSR and two thirds LNER at the Grouping.

Great Eastern Railway

Formed on 7th August 1862 by the amalgamation of the Eastern Counties Railway, the Norfolk Railway, the Eastern Union Railway, the East Anglian Railway, the east Suffolk Railway and other subsidiary undertakings. At the amalgamation, the GER comprised of 1191¾ miles including 141¼ miles of joint lines, 6 miles of leased lines and 106¾ miles of lines worked and over which the company had running powers. The company passed to the LNER at the Grouping.

Great Grimsby and Sheffield Junction Railway

Incorporated on 30th June 1845 for a line from Bole near Gainsborough to Grimsby via Kirton-in-Lindsey, Barnetby and Brocklesby. Branches were also authorised later to Lincoln, Barton, Cleethorpes, New Holland and Newark. The company amalgamated with the Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne & Machester, the Sheffield & Lincolnshire Junction, the Sheffield & Lincolnshire Extension, and the Manchester & Lincoln Union Railways to form the Manchester Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway by an act of 27th June 1846, before any of the lines were opened.

Great North of England Railway

Incorporated on 4th July 1836 to build a line from Newcastle to Croft, 5 miles south of Darlington. A second act of 12th July 1837 cleared the way to York. The Darlington to York section was opened throughout in 1842, but the North end was incomplete when powers were transferred to the Newcastle & Darlington Junction Railway by an act of 27th July 1846. The N&DJR changed its name to the York & Newcastle Railway on 3rd August 1846.

Great Northern and Great Eastern Joint Committee

This joint company was formed on 3rd July 1879 after incredible wrangling. It controlled the following lines:- Huntingdon to St. Ives, Needingworth Junction (St. Ives) to March, March to Spalding and Lincoln to Black Carr Junction (Doncaster). The first two lines were GER owned and the latter two GNR. The Ramsey & Somersham Railway was bought on 29th July 1896 and the total mileage controlled in 1903 was 123 miles. All passed to the LNER in 1923.

Great Northern Railway

Formed on 26th June 1846 by the union of the Direct Northern railway and the London & York Railway to build a line from London to York via Peterborough, Newark and Retford. There was also to be a loop line from Peterborough through Lincoln and Boston to join the main line at Retford. The first section from Peterborough to Lincoln was opened on 17th October 1848. Kings Cross Station was opened on 14th October 1852. The company passed to the LNER in 1923.

Great Northern Railway (Ireland)

Formed on the 1st April 1876 when the Ulster Railway joined with the short lived Northern Railway which was formed on 1st March 1875 by the merger of the Dublin & Drocheda and the Dublin & Belfast Junction Railways. The Irish North Western Railway joined on 1st January 1876. The company remained independent until it was taken over by the Great Northern Railway Board on 1st September 1953.

Great Northern Railway Board

This was formed on the 1st September 1953 to take over the management of the ailing Great Northern Railway (Ireland). It lasted until 1st October 1958 when the remaining GNRB lines were divided between the Coras Iompair Eireann and the Ulster Transport Authority.

Great Northern, Great Central and Great Eastern Railways

The Great Northern and the Great Eastern formed a joint company on 3rd July 1879 to administer 123 miles of lines from Cambridge to Doncaster. There was never a joint venture involving all three companies. This document may have arisen from the period of Government control of the railways during the First World War.

Great Southern and Western Railways

Incorporated on 6th August 1844 to build a line from Dublin to Cork. The GS&WR became the largest railway company in Ireland through the building of new lines and amalgamations, the largest with the Waterford, Limerick & Western Railway on 1st January 1901. The company became the largest partner in the Great Southern Railway, formed on 24th November 1924.

Great Southern Railways

Formed on 1st January 1925 by the amalgamation of the D&SER with the Great Southern Railway. The GSR (singular) had been formed on the 12th November 1924 by the amalgamation of the GS&WR, MGWR, and the CB&SCR. A further 21 companies were absorbed during 1925. The GSR was merged with various road transport companies to form the Coras Iompair Eireann (CIE) on 1st January 1945.

Great Western and Brentford Railway

Incorporated on 14th August 1855, this 4 mile long broad gauge branch from Southall to Brentford Dock opened for goods on 15th July 1859 and was leased to the GWR that year. Passenger traffic commenced on 1st May 1876 and the company was vested in the GWR on 1st January 1872.

Great Western and Great Central Railways Joint Committee

This company was formed on 1st August 1899 to take over the line from Northolt Junction to High Wycombe which was owned by the GWR's Acton & Wycombe Railway, incorporated on 6th August 1897 and opened on 2nd April 1906. The company also took over the High Wycombe to princess Risborough section of the GWR's Wycombe Railway, incorporated on 17th July 1846 and opened on 1st August 1862. The section from Princess Risborough to Aylesbury, opened on 1st October 1863, was taken over on 1st July 1907. The company retained its title under the GWR and LNER ownership until nationalisation.

Great Western and London & South Western Joint Railways

Three companies linking Weymouth and Portland were involved in this joint company. The Weymouth and Portland Railway, incorporated on 30th June 1862 was leased to the joint undertaking on 18th March 1862. The Portland Breakwater Railway, incorporated on 19th July 1875 was a joint Admiralty, GWR and L&SWR line and the Easton & Church Hope Railway, incorporated on 25th July 1867 but not opened until 1st October 1900, completed the trio of lines.

Great Western and London Midland and Scottish Railways

This joint company was responsible for a number of lines following the Grouping:- West London Railway, Bristol Port Railway and Pier, Wrexham & Minera Extension Railway, Birkenhead Railway, Halesowen Railway, Shrewsbury & Hereford Railway, Tenbury Railway, Ludlow & Clee Hill Railway, Shrewsbury & Welshpool Railway, Severn & Wye Joint Railway, Brynmawr & Western Valleys Railway and the Vale of Towy Railway. It is not known if all of these lines used 'joint' paperwork.

Great Western and Midland Railways

There were three companies which became Great Western and Midland joint undertakings:- the Severn & Wye Railway on the 17th August 1894; the Halesowen Railway on 29th July 1906 anf the Clifton Extension Railway in 1871.

Great Western Railway

The Great Western Railway act of 31st August 1835 authorised a railway from Bristol (Temple Meads) to a junction with the London & Birmingham Railway at Hammersmith with branches to Bradford (Wilts) and Trowbridge. An act of 3rd July 1837 authorised the extension to Paddington instead of a junction with the L&BR. The first section from Paddington to Maidenhead opened on 4th June 1838 and the through route to Bristol on 30th June 1841.

Greenock and Ayrshire Railway

Incorporated on 5th July 1865 to build a line from Greenock to a junction with the G&SWR at Howwood via Bridge of Weir. The line opened on 1st September 1869 and the company amalgamated with the Glasgow & South Western Railway by an act of 18th July 1872.

Greenock Railway Guaranteed Company

When the Caledonian Railway amalgamated with the Glasgow, Paisley & Greenock Railway on 9th July 1847, the GP&GR retained its identity within the Caledonian, as a separate concern under the above title. It was finally dissolved and vested in the Caledonian on 1st August 1883.

Hammersmith and City Railway

Authorised on 22nd July 1861 for a 2½ mile double track broad gauge line from Green Lane Junction (Westbourne Park) to Hammersmith via Notting Hill and Shepherds Bush. The line opened on 13th June 1864 and was worked by the GWR. On 19th June 1865, the Company was dissolved and vested jointly in the GWR and the Metropolitan Railway who now took over the working of the line.

Hartlepool Dock and Railway

Incorporated on 1st June 1832 for a 14 mile line from Hartlepool to Haswell via Castle Eden. The line was opened fully on the 23rd November 1835. Various branches were authorised but not built except for a short line to Thornley Colliery. The Company was leased to the York, Newcastle & Berwick Railway on 1st July 1846 and finally amalgamated with the NER on 13th July 1857.

Hawick and Carlisle Junction Railway

This was the former name of the Border Union Railway, authorised on 21st July 1859,to build a 44 mile line from Hawick to Carlisle with branches to Langholm (7 miles), Gretna (3 miles) and Canonbie Coalfield (¼ mile). The line was a Border Counties Railway and North British Railway undertaking and soon became known as the Waverley Route. The line opened in sections between 12th October 1861 and 1st July 1862.

Hay Railway

Incorporated on 25th May 1811 as a 3ft 6in gauge horse tramway from Brecon to Hay-on-Wye. The line opened on 17th May 1816. The tramway was purchased on the 6th August 1860 by the Hereford, Hay & Brecon Railway whose entire undertaking became vested in the Brecon & Merthyr Tydfil Junction Railway on the 5th July 1865. However this amalgamation was declared void by an act of 13th July 1868 and on 1st July 1874 the railway was absorbed by the Midland.

Hereford Ross and Gloucester Railway

Incorporated on 15th June 1851 to build 22½ miles of line from Grange Court (west of Gloucester) to Hereford via Ross. The first section from Grange Court to Hopesbrook opened on 11th July 1853, the complete line finally opening on 2nd June 1855. The Company amalgamated with the GWR on 29th July 1862.

Hoylake and Birkenhead Railway

Incorporated as the Hoylake & Birkenhead Rail and Tramway on 18th July 1872 to re-open the Hoylake Railway (closed on 8th July 1870.) They also owned a street tramway running from Birkenhead Docks to Woodside Ferry which it sold to Birkenhead Tramways in October 1879. The Company changed its name to the Seacombe, Hoylake & Deeside Railway on 18th July 1881.

Hull and Barnsley Railway

This was the name taken on the 30th June 1905 of the Hull, Barnsley & West Riding Junction Railway & dock Company. The Company joined the North Eastern Railway with effect from 1st April 1922 as a prelude to Grouping.

Hull Barnsley and West Riding Junction Railway and Dock Company

Incorporated on 26th August 1880 to build 66 miles of railways and a dock at Hull. The line was a rival to the NER and was opened from Hull to Cudworth (near Barnsley) on 27th July 1885. The Company absorbed the Hull & South Yorkshire Junction Railway on the 28th July 1891 and the Hull & South Yorkshire Extension Railway on the 25th July 1898. The Company changed its name to the Hull & Barnsley Railway by an act of 30th June 1905.

Iarnród Éireann

Iarnrod Eireann or Irish Rail, was formed on 2nd February 1987 when the management of the Coras Iompair Eireann was divided up. The railway portion became Irish Rail, whilst the buses were divided Between Dublin Bus and Irish Bus. The CIE remain the holding company exercising overall control.

Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway

Incorporated on 14th August 1896 to build a line along the Great Glen from Spean Bridge to Fort Augustus. It opened on 27th July 1903 and was worked by the Highland Railway from opening until 30th April 1907. The North British Railway took over the working until the line closed on 30th October 1911.It re-opened on 1st August 1913 and by an act of 28th August 1914, the company was amalgamated with the North British. The line finally closed on 1st December 1933.

Inverness & Perth and Inverness & Aberdeen Junction Railways

These two companies were amalgamated on 1st February 1865 to form the Highland Railway. The Inverness & Perth did not complete its line to Forres where it joined the Inverness & Aberdeen Junction until 28th February 1864. It is assumed that the above title was only in use from this date until amalgamation.

Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway

Authorised on 21st July 1856, this line was an eastern extension of the Inverness & Nairn Railway. It opened from Nairn to Dalvey (Forres) on 22nd December 1857 and to Elgin on the 25th March 1858. The company absorbed the Inverness & Nairn Railway (17th May 1861) and the Findhorn Railway and merged with the Inverness & Perth Junction Railway to form the Highland Railway on 1st February 1865.

Isle of Man Railway

The Company was registered on 19th December 1870 to construct 42 miles of 3ft gauge lines linking the islands four main towns - Douglas, peel, Ramsey and Castletown. Financial shortfalls resulted in the cancelling of the Ramsey section. The fist section to be opened was Douglas to Peel on 1st July 1873 and Douglas to Port Erin was opened on 2nd August 1874. The total length of lines opened was 27 miles. The Company absorbed the Manx Northern Railway and the Foxdale Railway on the 24th May 1904. Today only 15½ miles remains open.

Isle of Wight and Newport Junction Railways

The Isle of Wight Railway opened from Ryde to Shanklin on 23rd August 1864 and to Ventnor on 10th September 1866. The Newport Junction Railway opened from Sandown to Newport in stages, finally completing the link with the Ryde & Newport Railway at Newport on 1st June 1879. There was never a joint undertaking between the two companies except, as in this case, for advertising purposes.

Isle of Wight Central Railway

Formed by the amalgamation of the Ryde & Newport, the Cowes & Newport, and the Isle of Wight (Newport Junction) Railways by an act of 19th July 1887. It also worked and then absorbed the Newport Godshill & St. Lawrence Railway. The company had 28½ miles of line when absorbed by the Southern Railway at the Grouping.

Isle of Wight Railway

Incorporated on 23rd July 1860 as the Isle of Wight (Eastern Section) Railway to build an 11¼ mile line from Ryde to Ventnor. The words 'Eastern Section' were dropped from the title by an act of 28th July 1863. The line opened to Shanklin on 23rd August 1864 and to Ventnor on 10th September 1866. The Company was absorbed by the Southern Railway at the Grouping.

Joint South Western and Brighton Committee

The Brighton & Chichester Railway extension from Chichester to Portsmouth was authorised on 8th August 1845 and opened on 14th June 1847. The L&SWR also had powers to build a line from Fareham to Portsmouth and to connect with the B&CR at Cosham. Consequently they agreed that there should only be one railway into Portsmouth so the section from Cosham to Portsmouth was run as a joint undertaking.

Kent and East Sussex Railway

This was the new title taken by the Rother Valley Railway on 1st June 1904. Managed by Col. Stephens, the company went into liquidation on 15th March 1932 following his death. It remained independent until vested in British Railways in 1948.

Kilkenny Junction Railway

Incorporated on 23rd July 1860 to construct a line from Kilkenny to join the GS&WR line just west of Maryborough.. The line opened from Kilkenny to Abbeyleix in 1865 and to Maryborough on 1st May 1867. It was worked by the Waterford & Limerick Railway and the company became part of the Waterford & Central Ireland Railway in 1896.

Kington and Eardisley Railway

Incorporated on 30^th June 1862 to build a 7 mile line from Titley Junction to Eardisley utilising part of the Kington Tramway. The line opened on 3rd August 1874 and an extension from Kington to New Radnor was authorised on 16th June 1873 and opened on 26th September 1875. The company was vested in the GWR by an act of 6th August 1897.

Kirkcudbright Railway

Incorporated on 1st August 1861 for a 10¼ mile line between Castle Douglas and Kirkudbright. The line opened for goods on 17th February 1864 and for passengers on 15th August. The company was absorbed by the Glasgow & South Western Railway by an act of 5th July 1865.

Knott End Railway

Incorporated on 12th August 898, this line completed the Garstang & Knott End Railway by building a 4½ mile line from Pilling to Knott End. The company had bought the G&KER on 1st July 1908 and re-opened the line on 30th July. The company passed to the LMS at the Grouping.

L.P.T.B. and London & North Eastern Railways

This was the name taken on 1st July 1933 of the Metropolitan and London & North Eastern Railways following the formation of the L.P.T.B. The M & L&NER had been formed in 1906 to take over the northern lines of the Metropolitan Railway.

Lanarkshire & Dumbartonshire Railway

Incorporated on 5th August 1891, the line became intertwined with railways already along the north bank of the River Clyde. It opened from Stobcross to Clydebank on 1st May 1896 and to Dumbarton East on 1st October. The line was a lucrative one for goods and commuters and the company was vested in the Caledonian Railway by an act of 16th August 1909.

Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway

This was the title taken when the Barrmill & Kilwinning Railway was reconstituted by an act of 28th August 1884. The act also allowed the company to extend the original 6½ mile line between the two towns a further 6¼ miles from Kilwinning to Ardrosssan. The line opened throughout from Barrmill to Ardrossan on 4th September 1888. Although the company was heavily backed by the Caledonian Railway, it retained its independence until grouped into the LMS.

Lancashire & Yorkshire and London & North Western Railways

Three companies became joint lines under this title. The Preston & Wyre Railway, Harbour & Dock in 1870, the Lancashire Union in 1873 and the Fleetwood, Preston & West Riding Junction Railway on 1st July 1866. The Preston & Wyre Railway had introduced a steamer service from Fleetwood to Ireland before the line opened on 15th July 1840 and this too became a joint venture.

Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway

Formed when the Manchester & Leeds Railway amalgamated with the Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Navigation & Railway, the Huddersfield & Sheffield Junction, the Liverpool & Bury, the Ashton Stalybridge & Liverpool Junction anf the Wakefield Pontefract & Goole & West Riding Railways under an act of 9th July 1847. Further amalgamations expanded the company until it merged with the L&NWR before the Grouping with effect from 1st January 1922.

Lancashire Derbyshire and East Coast Railway

Incorporated on 5th August 1891 to build 170 miles of railway from docks on the Manchester Ship Canal via Manchester, Buxton, Sheffield, and Lincoln to Sutton-on-Sea where new docks were to be built. The only section actually built was from Chesterfield to Lincoln, opened on 8th March 1897, and a branch to Beighton opened on 28th May 1900. The company was bought by the Great Central Railway under an act of 20th July 1906.

Lancashire Union Railway

Incorporated on 25th July 1864 to build a line from the Blackbrook branch of the St. Helens Railway to Adlington and on to Blackburn via Chorley and the L&YR. The Boars Head to Blackburn was vested jointly with the L&YR on 13th July 1868 and opened on 1st November 1869. The company was vested in the L&NWR on 16th July 1883 and thus the line became a L&NWR / L&YR joint line until grouped into the LMSR in 1923.

Lancaster and Carlisle Railway

Incorporated on 6th June 1844. The 69 mile contract was at the time the largest single contract ever placed. It opened from Lancaster to Oxenholme on 22nd September 1846 and to Carlisle on 17th December 1846. On 10th September 1859 the company absorbed the Lancaster & Preston Junction Railway which it had leased from 1st August 1849. Independence lasted until formal dissolution and absorption by the L&NWR on 21st July 1879.

Lancaster and Preston Junction Railway

Incorporated on 5th May 1837, it opened on 25th June 1840. It was run by the North Union Railway but when the agreement terminated in 1842 they turned to the Bolton & Preston Railway but this angered the NUR and after a torrid time it was eventually leased to the Lancaster & Carlisle Railway. The L&CR took the company over on 10th September 1859.

Leek Caldon Low and Hartington Light Railway

This was part of a two stage undertaking by the North Staffordshire Railway. The LCL&HLR was a standard gauge line from Cheddleton Junction south of Leek to Waterhouses and a continuing branch to Caldon Low Quarries. At Watewrhouses the line met the 2ft 6ins gauge Leek & Manifold Light Railway. Both lines received their LRO's on 6th March 1899.

Leominster and Kington Railway

This 13¼ mile line was incorporated on 10th July 1854 to link the two towns. It opened throughout on 2nd August 1857 and was worked by the contractor Thomas Brassey. The West Midland Railway and the GWR took over the working on 1st July 1862. The company was absorbed by the GWR by an act of 2nd August 1898.

Letterkenny Railway

Incorporated on 3rd July 1860 to build a standard gauge line from Letterkenny to the Cuttymanhill near St Johnstown on the Londonderry to Strabane line. An act of 1863 amended the course to run north to join the Buncrana line and an act of 29th June 1880 authorised the change to narrow gauge. The line opened on 30th June 1883 and was worked by the Londonderry & Lough Swilly Railway. The line remained independent, apart from a period when the Board of Trade assumed nominal ownership, until closure on 10th August 1953.

Leven and East of Fife Railway

This was formed on 22nd July 1861 by the amalgamation of the Leven Railway and the East of Fife Railway. The company was absorbed by the North British Railway on 28th June 1877.

Liverpool Overhead Railway

Incorporated on 24th July 1888 to assume powers granted by the Mersey Docks & harbour Board (Overhead Railway) Acts 1882 and 1887. It was the first electrically-worked elevated line in the world, the first to use an escalator (at Seaforth Sands), the first to use automatic signalling and the first to use a colour light system. The 6½ mile line was opened from Herculaneum to Alexandra Dock on 6th march 1893 and to Dingle on 21st December 1896. It remained independent until closure on 31st December 1956.

Llanelly and Mynydd Mawr Railway

Incorporated on 19th July 1875, it was a successor to the Carmarthenshire Railway having bought that concern's works for £1400. The Carmarthenshire was a horse worked tramway that went into liquidation in 1844. The 12 mile line from Llanelly North Dock Junction to Cross Hands was severely graded and it opened on 1st January 1883. Absorbed by the GWR at the Grouping.

Llanelly Railway and Dock

Often known as the Llanelly Railway. The docks were incorporated on 19th July 1828 and the main railway on 21 August 1835. The first section opened from the Docks to Dafen in 1833. The company expanded reaching Llandilo on 24th January 1857, Carmarthen on 1st June 1865 and Swansea on 14th December 1867. The GWR worked the lines from 1st January 1873 and absorbed the company on 24th June 1889.

Llangollen and Corwen Railway

Incorporated on 6th August 1860 to continue the Vale of Llangollen Railway along the Dee Valley. Like the earlier line this 9 mile line was backed by and worked by the GWR from its opening on 1st May 1865. The company was absorbed by the GWR by an act of 7th August 1896.

Llynfi Valley Railway

Incorporated on 7th August 1846, the company bought two connecting tramroads, the Dyffryn Llynfi & Porthcawl Railway on the 27th July 1847 and the Bridgend Railway in1855. In 1861 it began to convert its acquisitions into railways and the line opened on for goods on 1st August 1861 and for passengers exactly four months later. It amalgamated with the Ogmore Valley Railways to become the Llynfi & Ogmore Railway on 28th June 1866.

London & North Western and Great Western Joint Railways

There were a number of companies which became LNWR and GWR joint undertakings:- the West London, Wrexham & Minerva Extension, Birkenhead, Brynmawr & Western Valleys, Brecon & Merthyr Tydfil Junction and the Vale of Towy Railways. However this documents probably originates from the three lines in the Shrewsbury area:- the Shrewsbury & Welshpool vested jointly on 5th July 1865, the Shrewsbury & Hereford vested jointly on 4th July 1870 and the Shrewsbury & Wellington Railway on the 29th July 1862.

London and Birmingham Railway

Incorporated on 6th May 1933, the line from London to Birmingham was officially opened on 17th September 1938. The original plan was to build a terminus at Camden, but an extension to Euston was authorised on 3rd July 1935. On 16th July 1846 the company amalgamated with the Grand Junction Railway and the Manchester & Birmingham Railway to form the L&NWR.

London and Blackwall Railway

Originally incorporated as the Commercial Railway on 28th July 1836, the new title was taken on 17th August 1839. The line ran from Fenchurch Street to Brunswick Wharf at Balckwall. It was built to a 5ft gauge and worked by cable and gravity. It opened from Blackwall to Minories (replaced by Fenchurch Street) on 6th july 1840. The line was leased to the GER from 1st January 1866 but the company remained independent until absorbed by the LNER at the Grouping.

London and North Western Railway

Formed on 16th July 1846 by the amalgamation of the London & Birmingham Railway, the Grand Junction Railway and the Manchester & Birmingham Railway. Many more lines were subsequently amalgamated and it became one of the most influential pre-grouping companies.

London and South Western Railway

Incorporated on 4th June 1839 when the London & Southampton Railway obtained authority to extend its line to Portsmouth and so changed its name. They became part of the Southern in 1923.

London Brighton and South Coast Railway

The LB&SCR was formed on 27th July 1846 when the London & Brighton Railway and the London & Croydon Railway amalgamated. The company became part of the Southern Railway in 1923.

London Chatham and Dover Railway

This was the name taken by the East Kent Railway on 1st August 1859 after there extension into London had been sanctioned. The company was soon in financial difficulties and offered to lease itself to the SER who refused. An Official Receiver was appointed and by 1871 the company was solvent again. It absorbed the Kent Coast railway and several others and on 1st January 1899 it came together with the SER to form the South eastern & Chatham Companies Joint Management Committee. Both companies retained their identities until passing to the Southern in 1923.

London Electric Railway

The Great Northern, Piccadilly & Brompton Railway absorbed the Charing Cross, Euston & Hampstead and the Baker Street & Waterloo Railways on 1st July 1910. On the 26th it changed its name to the London Electric Railway. The powers of the Edgware & Hampstead Railway were vested by an act of 7th August 1912 and the company was absorbed by the London Passenger Transport Board from 1st July 1933.

London Midland and Scottish Railway - Northern Counties Committee

This was the title adopted by the Midland Railway - Northern Counties Committee when the LMS was formed on 1st January 1923. Ownership passed to the British Transport Commission with nationalisation on 1st January 1948. The company was not absorbed into the Ulster Transport Authority when it was formed on 1st October 1948 but became part of it in April 1949.

London Tilbury and Southend Railway

Promoted by the London & Blackwall Railway and the Eastern Counties Railway, it was authorised on 17th June 1852 to extend the London & Blackwall Railway from Forest Gate to Southend. The 36 mile line was opened from Forest Gate to Tilbury on 13th April 1854, to Leigh on 1st July 1855 and to Southend on 1st March 1856. The line was leased in 1854 to the contractor Peto, Brassey & Petts for a period of 21 years. When the lease expired, the company ran the line themselves until it was vested in the Midland Railway by an act of 7th August 1912, but not fully merged with it until 1st October 1920.

Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway

Originally incorporated in 1852 as the Lough Foyle & Lough Swilly Railway, the name was changed to the L&LSR the following year. A further act of 1st August 1859 was required to start the construction. The line opened from Derry to a small pier at Carrowen on Lough Swilly on 12th November 1863. A working arrangement with the Letterkenny Railway and extensions to Burtonport and Carndonagh gave a route mileage of 99 miles. The line finally closed on 10th August 1953 although the company continued to run bus and lorry services for some time.

Louth and Lincoln Railway

Incorporated on 6th August 1866 to build a 22 mile line linking the two towns via Wragby. It opened throughout for goods on 26th June 1876 and for passengers on 1st December. The line was worked by the GNR and the company was amalgamated with them by an act of 10th August 1882.

Lynn and Fakenham Railway

Authorised on 13th July 1876 this 20 mile line opened from Lynn to Massingham on 16th August 1879 and to Fakenham on 16th August 1880. An extension to Melton Constable was authorised on 12th August 1880 and opened on 19th January 1882. The company merged with the Yarmouth & North Norfolk and the Yarmouth Union Railways to form the Eastern & Midlands Railway with effect from 1st July 1883. The line closed completely on 1st March 1969.

Lynton and Barnstaple Railway

Incorporated on 27th June 1875 to build a 19½ mile 1ft. 11½ ins gauge line between the two towns. It opened on 11th May 1898 and was taken over by the Southern on 1st July 1923 though the Southern had control from 1st January. The line closed completely on 29th September 1935.

Macclesfield Bollington and Marple Railway

Incorporated on 14th July 1864, this 10½ mile line opened between Marple and Bollington on 2nd August 1869 and to Macclesfield on 3rd April 1871. The company was vested jointly in the MS&LR and the NSR on 25th May 1871 and changed its name to the Macclesfield Committee.

Macclesfield Committee

This was the name taken on 25th May 1871 when the Macclesfield, Bolligton & Marple Railway was vested jointly in the MS&LR and the NSR. The name was changed to the Great Central & North Staffordshire Railway Committee by the Great Central Railway act of 1907.

Manchester and Birmingham Railway

Incorporated on 30th June 1837 to build a line linking the two cities, it only got as far as Crewe. It opened from Travis Street, Manchester to Stockport on 4th June 1840 and into London Road on 8th May 1842, Crewe was reached on the 10th of August that year. The company became a constituent of the L&NWR on its formation on 16th July 1846.

Manchester and Leeds Railway

Incorporated on 4th July 1836, it became one of the most important of the early companies. George Stephenson was its engineer and Thomas Gooch (elder brother of Daniel of GWR fame) his assistant. The first section from Manchester to Littleborough was opened on 4th July 1839 and throughout on 1st March 1841.Various extensions were built and the Huddersfield & Sheffield Junction and the Liverpool & Bury Railways were absorbed on 27th July 1846. It amalgamated with several other companies to form the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway on 9th July 1847.

Manchester and Milford Railway

Incorporated on 23rd July 1860, this was a grandiose scheme to link Manchester with Milford Haven, its independent line running form Llanidloes to Pencader while the remainder would have required running powers. It never achieved its objective though a line from Pencader to Lampeter was opened on 1st January 1866, to Strata Florida on 1st September and to Aberystwyth on 12th August 1867. Leased to the GWR on 1st July 1906 and absorbed by them on 2nd June 1911.

Manchester Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway

This was the name taken following the amalgamation of the Great Grimsby & Sheffield Junction Railway, the Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne & Manchester Railway, and the Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway. The company started to operate from 1st January 1847 but the constituents were not formally dissolved and consolidated until an act of 1st August 1849. The company was renamed the Great Central Railway on 1st August 1897.

Manchester Ship Canal and Railway Company

Incorporated on 6th August 1885. The Canal and the railways opened on 1st January 1894. The company owned several branch railways serving its docks. Most were vested in other companies such as the L&NWR, the CLC and the L&NWR /GWR joint but the system worked independently until nationalisation.

Manchester South Junction and Altrincham Railway

Incorporated on 21st July 1845, the line opened from Altrincham to Manchester Oxford Road on 20th July 1849 and to London Road on 1st August. The company was jointly owned by the L&NWR and the MS&LR. Electric services began on 11th May 1931 and the company retained its identity until nationalisation.

Marlborough Railway

Incorporated on 22nd July 1861 to build a 5½ mile broad gauge line between Savernake and Marlborough. The line opened on 14th April 1864 and was converted to standard gauge in 1874. The company was absorbed by the GWR on 7th August 1896.

Maryport and Carlisle Railway

Incorporated on 12th July 1837 to build a 28 mile line between Carlisle and Maryport. The first section from Maryport to Arkelby was opened on 15th July 1840 and throughout on 10th February 1845. The line was leased to George Hudson on behalf of the YN&BR but the lease was never ratified and the company and the company resumed independence on 1st January 1850 and remained so until absorbed into the LMSR in 1923.

Maybole and Girvan Railway

Incorporated on 14th July 1856 as a continuation southward of the Ayr & Maybole Railway. Like the Ayr & Maybole, the line was worked by the Glasgow & South Western Railway from opening on 24th May 1860. The company became vested in the G&SWR by an act of 5th July 1865.

Mersey Railway

Originally incorporated on 28th June 1866 as the Mersey Pneumatic Railway, this idea was abandoned for steam working on 31st July 1868 but work on the line between Birkenhead and Liverpool did not start until 1879. The line opened on 20th January 1886. Extensions to Rock Ferry (opened 15th June 1891), to Birkenhead Park (2nd January 1888) and from St. James to Liverpool Central (11th January 1892) completed the line. It was electrified on 3rd May 1903 and remained independent until nationalisation.

Metropolitan and Great Central Joint Committee

This joint committee was formed on 4th August 1905 to take over the Harrow-on-the-Hill to Verney Junction line and the Chesham and Brill branches of the Metropolitan Railway. It became a Metropolitan and LNER joint company at the Grouping and LPTB / LNER on 1st July 1933.

Metropolitan District Railway

This was a fusion of two schemes, the Metropolitan Grand Union Railway and the Metropolitan District Railway. It was incorporated on 29th July 1864 and was usually known as the District Railway to distinguish it from the Metropolitan. The line opened from South Kensington to Westminster Bridge on 24th December 1868 and to Mansion House on 3rd July 1871. It passed to the LPTB on 1st July 1933.

Metropolitan Railway

Initially incorporated as the North Metropolitan Railway, it was re-incorporated as the MR on 7th August 1854. It was opened on 10th January 1863 from a junction with the GWR at Bishop's Road Paddington to Victoria Street (now Farringdon & High Holborn). Steady expansion followed and the line eventually connected with the GCR at Quainton Road. The company became part of the LPTB on 1st July 1933.

Mid Wales Railway

The Llanidloes to Newbridge section of this line was incorporated on 1st August 1859 and the Newbridge-on-Wye to Talyllyn line on the 3rd July 1860. The 46¾ mile line was opened on 23rd August 1864 and was worked by the Cambrian from 2nd April 1888 and amalgamated with them by an act of 24th June 1904.

Midland and Great Eastern Railway
Tottenham and Hampstead Joint Committee

Formed when the Tottenham & Hampstead Junction Railway was vested jointly in the Midland and the Great Eastern Railways. The T&HJR was a 5¾ mile line between Highgate Road and Fenchurch Street, authorised on 29th July 1862 and opened on 21st July 1868.

Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway

Formed on 9th June 1893 to take over the Eastern & Midlands Railway when the Cromer line from Melton Constable was completed and the E&MR had linked with the Midland Railway at Saxby. At the Grouping, the company owned 182 miles of track when it became a joint LNER and LMSR undertaking.

Midland and Great Western Railway

Incorporated on 21st July 1845 to build a line from Dublin to Mullingar with a branch to Longford. By various amalgamations and leasing, the system eventually covered over 500 miles making it the third largest in Ireland. The M&GWR became part of the short lived Great Southern Railway on 24th November 1924 and the Great Southern Railways from 1st January 1925.

Midland and Lancashire & Yorkshire Joint Railway

This was the grand title of the company which ran the joint station at Colne in Lancashire. The company became part of the LMSR at the Grouping.

Midland and North Eastern Railway
Swinton and Knottingley Joint Railway

Incorporated on 16th July 1874 to build a line from Swinton to a point near Knottingley. It opened on 18th May 1879 and the GNR and the MS&LR had running powers over it as well as the parent companies. The company retained its identity when it became a joint LNER / LMSR company at the Grouping.

Midland and South Western Junction Railway

Formed on 23rd June 1884 by the amalgamation of the Swindon, Marlborough & Andover Railway and the Swindon & Cheltenham Extension Railway. The southern section from Eling to Fawley (as yet incomplete) was taken over by the South Hampshire Railway and Pier Company on 25th June 1886 and both undertakings were absorbed by the GWR on 1st July 1923.

Midland Railway

The company was formed on 10th May 1844 by the amalgamation of the Midlands Counties Railway, the North Midland Railway and the Birmingham & Derby Junction Railway. After 1852 there was a policy of gradual expansion and a London extension was authorised on 22nd June 1863. By 1918, the total track miles including sidings but excluding Irish and joint lines was 5062.

Midland Railway - Northern Counties Committee

This was the title adopted from 1st July 1903 when the Midland Railway took over the Belfast & Northern Counties Railway. On 1st January 1923 it was renamed the LMS - NCC.

Mid-Suffolk Light Railway

Incorporated under the Light Railways Act in 1901 for 28 miles of lines between Haughley and Halesworth with a 14 mile branch from Kenton to Westerfield. The Haughley to Laxfield section was opened on 20th September 1904. In May 1907 an official receiver was appointed and all building ceased. The Westfield branch only got as far as Debenham (2 miles) and the main line only 2¼ miles beyond Laxfield. The company was absorbed into the LNER in 1924.

Milford Haven Railway and Estate Company

This was the name taken by the Milford Haven Dock and Railway when leased for 21 years to the contractors Messrs. Samuel Lake & Co. on 3rd June 1881. The MHD&R was incorporated on 23rd July 1860 to build a dock and 1½ miles of associated lines. It lines were opened 19th January 1882 and were worked by the GWR. The company was liquidated in 1903.

Milford Railway

Incorporated on 5th June 1856 to build a 4 mile broad gauge line from the docks at Milford Haven to the South Wales Railway at Johnston. It opened on 7th September 1863 and was worked by the GWR. The company was absorbed by the GWR on 7th August 1896.

Mold and Denbigh Junction Railway

Incorporated on 6th August 1861 to build a 15¾ mile link-line between Mold and the Vale of Clwyd Railway at Denbigh. It opened on 12th September 1869 and was worked by the L&NWR. The company remained independent until absorbed by the LMSR at the Grouping.

Monkland Railways

This company was formed on 14th August 1848 by an amalgamation of the Monkland & Kirkintilloch, the Ballochney and the Slamannan Railways. It was in turn absorbed by the Edinburgh & Glasgow Railway by an act of 5th July 1865.

Monmouthshire Railway

Incorporated on 31st July 1845 as the Monmouthshire Railway and Canal, this line had its beginnings in the Blaenavon Tramroad which was re-incorporated and re-titled as the MR&C. the company eventually owned a number of lines extending up the valleys from Newport. It was amalgamated with the GWR on 1st August 1880.

Monmouthshire Railway and Canal

This line had its beginnings in the Blaenavon Tramroad which was re-incorporated and re-titled as the MR&C on 31st July 1845. The company eventually owned a number of lines extending up the valleys from Newport. It was amalgamated with the GWR on 1st August 1880. Also known as the Monmouthshire Railway.

Montrose and Bervie Railway

Incorporated on 3rd July 1860 to build a 12 mile line from the Montrose branch of the SNER to Bervie. It opened on 1st November 1865 by the Caledonian Railway, under whose control it had been, by arrangement, since authorisation. When that agreement expired, the company amalgamated with the North British Railway under an act dated 18th July 1881.

Much Wenlock and Severn Junction Railway

Incorporated on 21st July 1859 to build a 3¼ mile line from a branch of the Severn Valley Railway at Buildwas to Much Wenlock. It opened on 1st February 1862 and was worked by the West Midland Railway and from the 1st August 1863, by the GWR. The company was vested in the GWR on 7th August 1896.

Neath and Brecon Railway

Authorised on 13th July 1863 when the Dulas Valley Mineral Railway changed its name. The line from Neath to Onllwyn was opened on 2nd October 1864 and from Onllwyn to Brecon on 3rd June 1867. The line was worked by the Midland Railway and the company was vested in the GWR on 1st January 1922.

Newcastle and Berwick Railway

Authorised on 31st July 1845 to link the two towns from a junction with the Bradling Junction Railway at Gateshead and by using the Newcastle & North Shields Railway, with which it amalgamated, to meet the NBR at Berwick. It opened from Heaton to Morpeth on 1st March 1847 and from Newcastle to Tweedmouth on 1st July. On 9th July 1847, it amalgamated with the York & Newcastle Railway to form the York, Newcastle & Berwick Railway.

Newcastle and Carlisle Railway

Incorporated on 22nd May 1829, this was the first Tyneside line to carry passengers but not the first to be opened. The first section from Blaydon to Hexham was opened on 9th march 1836 and throughout on 18th June 1838. The company was absorbed by the North Eastern Railway on 17th July 1862.

Newcastle and Darlington Junction Railway

Incorporated on 18th June 1842 to build a line from York to Newcastle.. the first section from Belmont Junction to Durham Goods was opened on 15th April 1844. The company purchased the Durham Junction and the Bradling Junction Railways in May and September 1844 and then changed its name to the York & Newcastle Railway by an act of 21st July 1846.

Newport Abergavenny and Hereford Railway

Incorporated on 3rd August 1846 to build a line from Pontypool to Hereford via Abergavenny. The first section from Hereford Barton Station to Coed-y-gric opened on 2nd January 1854. The company amalgamated with the Worcester & Hereford Railway and the Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton Railway to form the West Midland Railway on 14th June 1860.

Newport Railway

Incorporated on 6th August 1866 to build a line from Tayport to Wormit. Further powers granted on 1st August 1870 extended the line to join the NBR at Ferry Port-on-Craig. The line opened from Tayport to Newport on 12th May 1879 and to Wormit the following day. The NBR leased the line for 999 years on 1st January 1888 and absorbed the company on 6th August 1900.

Nidd Valley Light Railway

A LRO was obtained for a 5¾ mile line from the NER at Patley Bridge to Lofthouse-in-Nidderdale. It opened on 11th September 1907 and was owned by Bradford Corporation as was another 6½ miles beyond Lofthouse which served reservoir works. the last passenger train ran on 31st December 1929 and the line closed completely in 1936.

Norfolk and Suffolk Joint Railways Committee

This joint venture involving the GER and the M&GNRJR was incorporated on 25th July 1898 to cover the lines between North Walsham and Cromer via Mundesley, and the line from Yarmouth to Lowestoft. The North Walsham to Mundesley section opened in July 1898 and on to Cromer on 3rd August 1906. The Yarmouth to Lowestoft line was opened on 13th July 1903. Though these lines remained technically independent until nationalisation, they were worked as part of the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway system.

North British and Edinburgh & Glasgow Railways

On 23rd June 1864, the Edinburgh & Glasgow Railway terminated its thirty year agreement with the Caledonian Railway and entered into an agreement with the North British Railway. The NBR absorbed the Edinburgh & Glasgow on 1st August 1865. Presumably the 'joint' heading was used on paperwork during this period.

North Eastern and Newcastle & Carlisle Railways

The Newcastle & Carlisle Railway gained access to the North Eastern Railway's Newcastle Central Station on 1st January 1851. The company was absorbed by the NER on 17th July 1862. The two companies obviously co-operated when it came to advertising as this document testifies.

North Eastern Railway

This company was formed on 31st July 1854 by the amalgamation of the York & North Midland Railway, the York Newcastle & Berwick Railway and the Leeds Northern Railway. They were joined three months later by the Malton & Driffield Junction Railway. The act encompassed 720 mile of railway - more than any other company at the time. It became a constituent of the LNER.

North London Railway

Incorporated as the East & West India Docks & Birmingham Junction Railway on 26th August 1846, the new name taken on 1st January 1853. The line had opened from Bow Junction to Camden Town on 20thn October 1851. Although jointly managed with the L&NWR from February 1909, the company retained its independence until the LMSR took over in 1923.

North Midland Railway

Authorised on 4th July 1836 for a line from Derby to Leeds via Chesterfield, Barnsley and Wakefield. The line opened to Leeds on 30th June 1840. The company amalgamated with the Midland Counties Railway and the Birmingham & Derby Junction Railway to form the Midland Railway on 10th May 1844.

North Pembrokeshire and Fishguard Railway

Initially authorised as the Rosebush & Fishguard Railway on 8th August 1878. The name was changed to the NP&FR on 7th August 1884 after the absorption of the Narbeth Road & Maenclochog Railway on 11th August 1881. The line ran from Clynderwen to Fishguard and was opened to Letterston on 14th March 1895. The GWR bought the company on 12th February 1898 and opened the line throughout 11days later.

North Staffordshire Railway

Authorised in three act all dated 26th June 1846 for the Churnet Valley, the Potteries, and the Harecastle & Sandbach Railways. The first of many lines opened on 9th October 1848 between Crewe and Stoke, the last being the Potteries Loop on 15th November 1875. It became part of the LMSR at the Grouping.

North Union Railway

Formed on 22nd May 1834 by the amalgamation of the Preston & Wigan and Wigan Branch Railways. The 15½ mile line opened to Preston on 31st October 1838 and the Bolton & Preston Railway was purchased on 10th May 1844. The company was leased jointly to the Grand Junction and the Manchester & Leeds Railways. The lease passed to the L&NWR and L&YR, before the joint companies absorbed the undertaking by an act of 26th July 1889.

North Wales and Liverpool Railway

This was the new name taken by the Dee & Birkenhead Committee on 7th August 1896. The D&BC had its origins in the part of the Wirral Railway which was transferred to the MS&LR and the Wrexham, Mold & Connah's Quay Railway on 12th August 1889. The line ran from Chester to Bidston and passed wholly to the Great Central Railway on 22nd July 1904.

North Wales Narrow Gauge Railways

Authorised on 6th August 1872, this 1ft 11½in gauge line ran from Dinas Junction near Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu on the south slopes of Snowdon. It opened in stages from May 1877 to May 1881. An agreement was reached with the Portmadoc, Beddgelert & South Snowdon Railway and powers to work both as Light Railways were given by a LRO of 6th June 1905. Both companies were bought by the Welsh Highland Railways as part of a new system.

North Western Railway

Incorporated on 26th June 1846, it became known as the 'Little North Western' although the title was never officially used. the line ran from Low Gill on the Lancaster & Carlisle Railway to Skipton with a branch from Clapham to Lancaster. The line opened in various stages during 1849, the last section from Wennington to Bentham opening on 2nd May 1850. The line north of Ingleton was taken over by the L&NWR in 1861 with the rest being vested in the Midland Railway on 30th July 1874 who had leased it since 1st January 1859.

Northern and Eastern Railway

Incorporated on 4th July 1836 to build a 5ft gauge line from Stratford to Cambridge and from Bishop's Stortford to Newport with a branch to Hertford. The various sections were opened between 1841 and 1846. On 1st January the ECR leased on the company and converted the line to standard gauge in September that year. Though the ECR and the lease passed to the GER on its formation in 1862, the company was not formally dissolved until 1st July 1902.

Northumberland Central Railway

Incorporated on 28th July 1863 to build a line from the Wansbeck Railway at Scotsgap to Cornhill (Coldstream). The line opened from Scotsgap to Rothbury on 1st November 1870 but got no further. The company was absorbed by the North British Railway by an act of 18th July 1872.

Nottingham and Grantham Railway and Canal Company

This was the new name of the Ambergate, Nottingham, Boston & Eastern Junction Railway adopted on 15th May 1860. The ANB&EJR had been formed on 16th July 1846 by an amalgamation of three schemes. The company was leased to the GNR on 30th March 1855 but remained independent until grouped into the LNER in 1923.

Nottingham Joint Station Committee

Nottingham Central Station was constituted as a separate undertaking under the management of a Committee appointed by the Great Central and the Great Northern Railways by an act of 1897. This verified and agreement of 30th January 1892. The company passed to the LNER in 1923.

Oldham Ashton-Under-Lyne and Guide Bridge Junction Railway

This line authorised on 10th August 1857 to link Mumps (Oldham, L&NWR)with Guide Bridge (L&YR). The formal opening took place on 31st July 1861. It was worked jointly from the outset by the MS&LR and the L&NWR and absorbed by them on 30th June 1862. It retained its identity under the LMS and LNER until nationalisation on 1st January 1948.

Oswestry and Newtown Railway

Incorporated on 26th June 1855 to build a line from Oswestry to Newtown with branches to Porthywaen, Llanfyllin and Kerry. The first section from Oswestry to Pool Quay (Welshpool) opened on 1st may 1860 and all sections were opened by 1st July 1863. The company amalgamated with the Oswestry Ellesmere & Whitchurch, the Llanidloes & Newtown and the Newtown & Machynlleth Railways on 25th July 1864 to form the Cambrian Railways.

Oxford and Aylesbury Tramroad

Incorporated on 7th August 1888 to build a line between Brill and Oxford, however it was never built. Instead the company rented the Wotton Tramway and took over the working of it by an agreement dated 17th July 1888. The line was leased to the Metropolitan Railway on 1st December 1899 and the Metropolitan and Great Central Joint Committee assumed responsibility from 2nd April 1906. The LPTB closed the line on 1st December 1935.

Oxford Worcester and Wolverhampton Railway

Incorporated on 4th August 1845 to build 89 miles of broad gauge railways connecting the three places in the title. There were also to be branches to Tipton and Kingswinford. The first section from Worcester to Abbots Wood was opened on 5th October 1850 and eventually throughout on 1st July 1854. The company amalgamated with the Worcester & Hereford and the Newport Abergavenny & Hereford Railways to form the West Midland Railway on 1st January 1860.

Pembroke and Tenby Railway

Authorised on 21st July 1859 to build a line between the two towns. The line was opened on 30th July 1863 and an extension to Whitland on 4th September 1866. The GWR worked the line after gauge conversion and absorbed the company by an act of 6th August 1897.

Penicuik Railway

Incorporated on 20th June 1870 for a 4¼ mile branch from Hawthornden on the Peebles Railway to Penicuik. It opened for goods on 9th May 1872 and to passengers on 2nd September. Leased in perpetuity to the North British Railway, it was finally vested in them by an act of 13th July 1876.

Port Carlisle Dock and Railway

Incorporated on 4th August 1853 to convert the Carlisle Canal (authorised on 6th April 1819) into a Railway. The line ran from Carlisle to Port Carlisle on the Solway Firth. The line opened on 22nd May 1854 for goods and 22nd June for passengers. The line was leased to the North British Railway on 3rd June 1862 and amalgamated with them on 12th August 1880.

Port Talbot Railway and Docks

Incorporated on 31st July 1894 and usually known as the Port Talbot Railway, it was promoted by mine owners. The line served more than 50 collieries and opened from Port Talbot to Lletty Brongu on 31st August 1897. The company enlarged the docks at Port Talbot and the line was worked by the GWR from 1st January 1908. It was vested in the GWR at the Grouping in 1923.

Portpatrick and Girvan Joint Committee

Incorporated on 11th August 1879 as a joint committee of the Portpatrick and the Girvan & Portpatrick Junction Railways to manage the short section of line from Challoch Junction to Stranraer. The company was absorbed into the Portpatrick & Wigtownshire Joint Railway on 6th August 1885.

Portpatrick Railway

Incorporated on 10th August 1857 to build a line from Castle Douglas to Portpatrick. The line opened to Stranraer on 12th March 1861 and to Portpatrick on 28th August 1862 and the harbour branch on 1st October. The line was worked by the Caledonian Railway and the company amalgamated with the Wigtownshire Railway to form the Portpatrick & Wigtownshire Joint Railway on 6th August 1885.

Post Office Railway

Started in 1914 and fully opened in December 1927, this 6½ mile 2ft gauge driver-less railway runs from Paddington Station to the Eastern District Sorting Office. The main double track tunnels are 9ft in diameter and it carries over 30,000 mail bags per day.

Potteries Shrewsbury and North Wales Railway

Formed on 6th July 1866 by the merger of the Shrewsbury & Potteries Junction Railway and the Shrewsbury & North Wales Railway. The S&PJR began at Llanymynech and ran to and end on junction with the S&NWR at Redhill, whose line continued to Shrewsbury. The line opened on 13th August 1866. After a troubled history, the company was wound up on 18th July 1888. The works were taken over by the Shropshire & Montgomeryshire Light Railway in 1909.

Preston and Wye Railway

The company was formed on 1st July 1839 by the amalgamation of the Preston & Wye Railway & Harbour and the Preston & Wye Dock Company. The line to Fleetwood was opened on 15th July 1840 and to Blackpool on 29th April 1846. The company had amalgamated with the Manchester & Leeds Railway from 3rd August 1846 but was not actually dissolved until 7th August 1888.

Princetown Railway

Incorporated on 13th August 1878 for a 10½ mile line from Yelverton to Princetown, utilising part of the trackbed of the defunct Plymouth & Dartmoor Railway. The line opened on 11th August 1883 and was worked by the GWR from the start. The company passed to the GWR on 1st January 1922.

Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway

Incorporated on 10th August 1882 to build railways in the Afon and Rhondda Valleys. The first section from Aberavon to Cymmer opened on 2nd November 1885, eventually reaching Swansea and Neath on 14th December 1894. The GWR took over the working and management on 1st July 1906 and absorbed the company on 1st January 1922.

Rhymney Railway

Originally incorporated on 24th July 1854 to build a 9½ mile line from Rhymney Ironworks to a junction with the Newport, Abergavenny & Hereford Railway at Hengoed. This section and the line to Cardiff Docks was opened on 25th February 1858. Various extensions and branches were built and the company was absorbed into the GWR on 1st January 1922.

Ross and Monmouth Railway

This line along Wye Valley from Ross Junction to Monmouth May Hill was authorised on 5th July 1865 and opened on 4th August 1873. It was worked by the GWR from opening and they extended the line from Monmouth May Hill to Monmouth Troy on 1st May 1874. The company retained its independence until it was vested in the GWR from 1st January 1922.

Royal Albert Dock Railway

Opened on 3rd August 1880, the line was worked by the Great Eastern from 1896. The company was absorbed by the Port of London Authority in 1909 and the line closed in 1932.

Royston and Hitchen Railway

This line was promoted as a 73 mile line between Oxford and Cambridge via Hitchen, but Parliament would only allow a 12¾ mile line to link the two towns So it was incorporated on 16th July 1846 as the R & HR. It was opened on 21st October 1850 and leased to the GNR and then the ECR. The GNR resumed control in 1866 before taking over the company on 1st January 1898.

Scarborough and Whitby Railway

Incorporated on 29th June 1871 to build a 20½ mile line between the two towns. Due to financial problems, the line did not open until 16th July 1885. The North Eastern Railway worked the line from the start for 50% of the Receipts and absorbed the company on 1st July 1898.

Schull and Skibbereen Tramways and Light Railway

Incorporated on 7th December 1883 to build a 15½ mile 3ft gauge line from the Cork & Bandon Railway's station at Skibbereen to Schull. Opened on 6th December 1886 the company passed to the Great Southern Railways on 1st January 1925 and closed completely on 27th January 1947.

Scottish Central Railway

Incorporated on 31st July 1845 for a 45½ mile line from Perth to Castlecary. The line opened on 22nd May 1848. Because of its position, both the Caledonian and Edinburgh & Glasgow Railways were keen to control it. The company amalgamated with the former by an act of 5th July 1865.

Scottish North-Eastern and Dundee and Arbroath Railways

The Scottish North-Eastern took over the Dundee & Arbroath Railway with effect from 31st January 1861 but the companies were not formally united until an act dated 28th July 1863. In the interim period, paperwork bearing the above title would have been used.

Scottish North-Eastern Railway

This was formed by the amalgamation of the Aberdeen Railway and the Scottish Midland Junction Railway on 29th July 1856. This gave a continuous line from Perth to Aberdeen. The company was absorbed by the Caledonian Railway under an act of 10th August 1866.

Seacombe Hoylake and Deeside Railway

This was the new title taken by the Hoylake & Birkenhead Tramway on 18th July 1881. The H&BT was incorporated on 18th July 1872 to reopen the Hoylake Railway from Hoylake to Birkenhead Docks after it had closed in July 1870. The H&BT built an extension from Hoylake to West Kirby and the SH&DR opened branches to Wallasey (2nd January 1888) and to New Brighton (30th March 1888). The company was incorporated into the new Wirral Railway on 11th June 1891 after a failed joint GWR/LNWR bid.

Severn and Wye and Severn Bridge Railway

This company was formed by act of 21st July 1879 when the Severn & Wye Railway & Canal and the Severn bridge Railway merged. In 1886, the Severn tunnel was opened causing a loss of business to the bridge. After struggling for some time, the company was taken over jointly by the MR and the GWR by an act 17th August 1894. Thereafter the company was known as the Severn & Wye Joint or the Severn & Wye & Severn Bridge Joint Railway up until Nationalisation.

Severn Valley Railway

Incorporated on 20th August 1853 to build a 39½ mile line between Shrewsbury and Hartlebury along the Severn Valley. It was leased by the West Midland Railway from its opening on 1st February 1862 (under an act of 14th June 1860). The company passed to the GWR by an act of 18th July 1872 who added a 3 mile link from Bewdley to Kidderminster, opening on 1st June 1878.

Sheffield and Midland Joint Railway

On 24th June 1869, the Manchester Sheffield &Lincolnshire Railway and the Midland Railway were incorporated to take over the Manchester & Stockport Railway and the Marple, New Mills & Hayfield Junction Railway. by an act of 22nd July 1904 the name of the company was changed to the Great Central & Midland joint Committee.

Sheffield Ashton-Under-Lyne and Manchester Railway

Incorporated on 5th May 1837 to build a line between Sheffield and Manchester. It opened from Manchester to Woodhead on 8th August 1844 and from Sheffield to Dunford Bridge on 14th July 1845. The Woodhead Tunnel opened on 23rd December 1845. The company became a constituent of the MS&LR by an act of 27th July 1846.

Sheffield District Railway

Incorporated on 14th August 1896, the line between Treeton and Brightside was intended to be an extension of the LD&ECR line to Beighton. Although nominally independent, its two sponsors, the GER and the LD&ECR had running powers over it and when the MR sponsored a similar line, the two schemes were combined in 1897, giving them running powers also. The line opened throughout on 21st May 1900 and the company was absorbed by the GCR on 20th July 1906.

Shrewsbury and Birmingham Railway

Incorporated on 3rd August 1846 for a truncated line between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton with a branch to Coalbrookdale. The 10 miles between Wellington and Shrewsbury was shared with the Shropshire Union Railway & Canal Co. The line opened from Shrewsbury to Oakengates on 1st June 1849 and throughout on 12 November. The company was absorbed by the GWR by an act of 7th August 1854.

Shrewsbury and Hereford Railway

Incorporated on 31st August 1846 for a 51 mile line between the two towns. It opened from Shrewsbury to Ludlow on 20th April 1852 and to Hereford on 6th December 1853. It was leased jointly to the GWR, the L&NWR and the WMR by an act of 29th July 1862. It became a LMSR/GWR joint line at the Grouping.

Shrewsbury and Hereford, Welshpool,
Wellington, and Birkenhead Joint Railways

The Shrewsbury & Hereford Railway became a joint L&NWR/GWR undertaking on 12th July 1870. The Shrewsbury & Welshpool Railway similarly on 5th July 1865.The Birkenhead Railway became a joint company on 1st January 1860 and the Shrewsbury to Wellington section of the Shrewsbury & Birmingham Railway was a joint line from 29th July 1862.

Shrewsbury and North Wales Railway

Renamed from the West Shropshire Mineral Railway by an act of 30th June 1864. The WSMR was incorporated on 29th July 1862. The 14¼ line ran from Llanymynech to and end on junction with the S&NWR at Redhill, whose line continued to Shrewsbury. Both companies were merged to form the Potteries, Shrewsbury & North Wales Railway on 6th July 1866, just before the line opened on 13th August 1866.

Shrewsbury and Potteries Junction Railway

Incorporated on 5th July 1865 to build a 3¼ mile line from an end on junction with the Shrewsbury & North Wales Railway at Redhill to Shrewsbury. The company merged with the S&NWR on 16th July 1866 to form the Potteries, Shrewsbury & North Wales Railway. The line opened on 13th August 1866.

Shropshire and Montgomeryshire Light Railway

Promoted by Col. Stephens to take over the moribund Potteries, Shrewsbury & North Wales Railway, it obtained its LRO on 11th February 1909. It opened formally on 13th April 1911. During the Second World War the line was requisitioned by the War Department and in 1947 it passed into joint GWR/WD control.

Shropshire Union Railways and Canal Company

Formed on 3rd August 1846 by the amalgamation of three canals and various railway schemes of which only the Shrewsbury & Stafford Railway was built (opened 1st June 1849). The company was also a partner in the Shrewsbury - Wellington section of the Shrewsbury & Birmingham Railway. The company was leased to the L&NWR in perpetuity by an act of 2nd July 1847.

Sligo Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway

Incorporated on 11th August 1875 to build a 42¾ mile line from the Midland & Great Western Railway at Ballysadare to the Irish North Western Railway at Enniskillen. The first section from Enniskillen to Belcoo opened on 12th February 1879 and the last section from Colloney to Carrignagat Junction on 1st July 1882. It was the last privately owned and operated railway in the British Isles when it closed on 1st October 1957.

Snailbeach District Railway

Authorised on 5th August 1873, this 3¾ mile line ran from Pontesbury on the LNWR/GWR joint Minsterley branch to lead mines at Slipstone, south west of Shrewsbury. There was a short branch to Snailbeach. Opened in July 1877, the line was laid to the unusual gauge of 2ft 3¾ins. The line closed 1915 and reopened in 1923 when it was taken over by Col. Stephens. The line was sold to Shropshire County Council in 1947 who worked it with a tractor until closure in 1959.

Snowdon Mountain Railway

Incorporated in 1894 and laid to a gauge of 2ft 7½in; this 5 mile line from Llanberis to a station near the summit of Snowdon is worked on the ABT rack system, the only such line in the UK. It opened on 6th April 1896 but an accident on the opening day caused temporary closure until the following April.

Solway Junction Railway

Incorporated on 30th June 1864 to build a 17¼ mile line (which included 4 miles over the Carlisle & Silloth Bay line) linking Brayton on the Maryport & Carlisle Railway to Kirtlebridge on the Caledonian. The line included a 1,940 yd viaduct, then the longest in the world. It opened from Kirtlebridge to Boness on 8th March 1870 and throughout on 8th August. The Caledonian Railway backed the line and worked it from the start, buying the Scottish section outright on 5th August 1873. The whole concern passed to the Caledonian under an act of 6th July 1895.

Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway

With effect from 1st November 1875, the Midland Railway and the London & South Western Railway jointly leased the Somerset & Dorset Railway for 999 years, ratified by an act of 13th July 1876. This created the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway which passed to the SR/LMSR with effect from 1st July 1923 but remained outside the grouping arrangements.

Somerset Central Railway

Incorporated on 17th June 1852 to build a broad gauge line from Highbridge to Glastonbury along the line of the Galstonbury Canal. Although nominally independent, the company was fostered by the Bristol & Exeter Railway who worked the line from opening on 28th August 1854. An extension to Burnham Pier was opened on 3rd May 1858 and to Wells on 15th March 1859. The company amalgamated with the Dorset Central Railway to form the Somerset & Dorset Railway on 1st September 1862.

South Devon and Cornwall Railways

Following the opening of the Royal Albert Bridge on 2nd May 1859, there was a close working relationship between the two companies since the SDR had shares in the Cornwall Railway. Locomotives were shared between the two companies and the West Cornwall Railway also and the cost split against the mileage run on each companies metals.

South Devon Railway

Incorporated on 4th July 1844, it had been known as the Plymouth, Devonport & Exeter Railway before incorporation. The line was engineered by Brunel for atmospheric traction and opened as such between Exeter and Teignmouth on 30th May 1846, to Newton Abbot on 30th December and to Totnes on 20th July 1847. Locomotive working began between Exeter and Teignmouth on 13th September 1847 and the line finally reached Plymouth on 5th May 1848. The company was absorbed by the GWR on 1st August 1878.

South Durham and Lancashire Union Railway

Incorporated on 17th July 1857 for a line from Spring Gardens Junction near West Auckland to Tebay via Barnard Castle. The line opened on 7th august 1861. The Darlington & Barnard Castle Railway was used to link the line to the Stockton & Darlington Railway who backed the scheme. The company was amalgamated with the Stockton & Darlington by an act of 30th June 1862.

South Eastern and Chatham Railway

Formed on 1st August 1899 to manage and operate the South Eastern Railway and the London Chatham & Dover Railway's lines although the companies retained their identities. It was also known as the South Eastern & Chatham & Dover railway. It was grouped into the Southern Railway on 1st January 1923.

South Eastern Railway

Originally incorporated as the London Deptford & Dover Railway on 21st June 1836, it soon became known as the South Eastern or the 'Dover Railway'. The first section from Redhill to Headcorn opened on 31st August 1842 and on 7th February 1844, the line was open to Dover. The company entered into an agreement with the LC&DR on 1st January 1899 where both companies were managed and run by a joint committee - the South Eastern & Chatham Railway.

South Shields Marsden and Whitburn Colliery Railway

This private line was owned by the Harton Coal Company and built primarily to serve the Whitburn Cilliery. It did not have Parliamentary powers and opened in 1885 as the Marsden Railway, changing its name in 1895. The line was nationalised into the NCB in 1947.

South Staffordshire Railway

This company was formed on 6th October 1846 by the merger of the South Staffordshire Junction Railway and the Trent Valley, Midlands & Grand Junction Railway. The first 1½ miles from Bescot to Walsall opened on 1st November 1847 and the remaining 17½ miles to Wichnor Junction on 9th April 1849. The line was leased to the L&NWR from February 1861 and absorbed by them on 15th June 1867.

South Wales Mineral Railway

Incorporated on 15th August 1853 to build a broad gauge line from Glyncorrwg down the Afon Valley to Briton Ferry. It finally opened on 10th March 1863 and had been leased to the Glyncorrwg Coal Company from 25th May 1855. The coal company failed and the line remained in the hands of the Official receiver for 29 years. The Port Talbot Railway took over the running and management of the line on 1st January 1908 until grouped into the GWR on 1st January 1923.

South Wales Railway

Incorporated on 4th August 1845 and backed by the GWR, the first section (75 miles) from Swansea to Chepstow was opened on 18th June 1850. Western extensions to Carmarthen opened on 11th October 1852, to Haverfordwest on 2nd January 1854, and to Neyland on 15th April 1856. The line was leased to the GWR in 1846 and was absorbed by them on 1st August 1863.

South Yorkshire Joint Line Committee

This single line was authorised on 14th August 1903 and was opened on 1st January 1909. The 20½ mile line ran from Dinnington to Kirk Sandall and was used by the GCR, GNR, L&YR, MR and the NER. It became a joint LNER/LMSR undertaking at the Grouping.

South Yorkshire Railway and River Dun Company

Incorporated on 22nd July 1847 when the South Yorkshire, Doncaster & Goole Railway bought the River Dun Navigation and the Dearn & Dove Canal Navigation Companies. The line opened from Aldam Junction (for Barnsley) to Doncaster South Junction in 1850 and eventually to Sheffield on 4th September 1854. The company was vested in the Manchester Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway on 16th July 1874.

Southport and Cheshire Lines Extension Railway

Promoted by the CLC, the 14 miles of line were authorised on 11th August 1881 to link Aintree and Birkdale Palace. An act of 13th August 1882 sanctioned another mile into Southport. The line opened on 1st September 1884 and was worked by the CLC, although an act of 12th August 1889 ratified working arrangements with other companies. It remained independent until 1948.

Southwold Railway

Incorporated on 24th June 1876 to build a 8½ mile 3ft gauge line from the GER station at Halesworth to Southwold on the Suffolk coast. The line opened on 24th September 1879 and was subjected to a 16mph speed limit. It remained independent until closure on 11th April 1929.

St. Helens Canal and Railway

The company was formed on 21st July 1845 by the amalgamation of the Sankey Brook Navigation and the St. Helens & Runcorn Gap Railway. A 7½ mile line from Eccleston to Garston opened on 1st July 1852 and was extended to Warrington on 1st February 1853. Another line from Rainford to St. Helens was opened on 1st February 1848. The company was absorbed by the L&NWR on 29th July 1864.

Stirling and Dunfermline Railway

Authorised on 16th July 1846 to link the two towns and to build branches to Tillicoultry and Alloa Harbour. It opened from Dunfermline to Alloa on 28th August 1850 and to Stirling on 1st July 1852. The two branches opened on 3rd June 1851. The company was vested in the Edinburgh & Glasgow Railway by an act of 28th June 1858

Stockton and Darlington Railway

Incorporated on 19th April 1821 and opened on 27th September 1825. The initial concern was coal rather than passengers, who were carried in horse-drawn vehicles until 1833. An extension to Middlesborough was authorised 23rd May 1828 and opened on 27th December 1830. The system expanded steadily until the company was absorbed by the NER on 13th July 1863.

Sutton and Howth Electric Tramway

Incorporated in 1896 by the Great Northern Railway (Ireland) to build an electric tramway from Sutton to Howth over the Hill of Howth. The line opened on 1st August 1901 and passed to the CIE in 1958. It was closed on 1st June 1959 and was the last tramway in the British Isles still using open top deck trams.

Swindon and Cheltenham Extension Railway

Incorporated on 18th July 1881 to build a line between Swindon and Cheltenham via Andoversford. The line opened from Rushey Platt to Cirencester on 18th December 1883 and to Andoversford on 1st August 1891. The company merged with the Swindon , Marlborough & Andover Railway on 23rd June 1884 to form the Midland & South Western Junction Railway.

Swindon Marlborough and Andover Railway

Incorporated on 21st July 1873 and backed by the GWR, it opened from opposite ends - Red Point Junction to Grafton on 1st May 1882, and Swindon to Marlborough on 5th February 1884. The two sections were linked by the Marlborough & Grafton Railway and opened on 16th June 1898. The company amalgamated with the Swindon & Cheltenham Extension Railway on 23rd June 1884 to form the Midland & South Western Junction Railway.

Taff Vale Railway

Incorporated on 21st June 1836 to build a line from Cardiff Docks to Merthyr Tydfil. The 24½ mile line was opened to Abercynon on 9th October 1841 and to Merthyr on 12th April 1841. The line was doubled between 1845 and 1861 and became one of the most prosperous in S wales. The company absorbed or leased ten other companies to give it a track mileage of 411½ mile when it was vested in the GWR on 1st January 1922.

Tamar Kit Hill and Callington Railway

Formed under the company's act of 1862, the first sod was cut at Callington on 26th November 1863. It finally got its act of incorporation on 29th July 1864 for a 7 mile line between Callington and Calstock and an incline to the quays on the River Tamar. Originally authorised in standard gauge, a further act was obtained to allow broad gauge. Work was suspended in the financial crisis of 1866 and the unfinished work was taken over by the Callington & Calstock Railway.

Tenbury Railway

Incorporated on 21st July 1859 to build a 5¼ mile line from the Shrewsbury & Hereford line at Woofferton to Tenbury Wells where it was to join the Tenbury & Bewdley Railway. it opened on 1st August 1861 and was worked by the Shrewsbury & Hereford railway until jointly leased to the GWR and L&NWR on 30th July 1866. The company was vested in the two companies on 1st January 1869 and became a joint GWR/LMSR line at the Grouping.

The Citadel Station Committee

This was the name taken by the joint committee comprising of the Caledonian Railway and the L&NWR which owned the new station at Carlisle, opened on 21st July 1873. The company was grouped into the LMSR in 1923.

Tralee and Dingle Light Railway

Incorporated on 17th September 1888 to build a 3ft gauge line from Tralee to Dingle, a distance of 31½ miles. There was also a 6 mile branch from Castlegregory Junction to Castlegregory. The line opened on 31st March 1891 and the company passed to the Great Southern Railways on 1st January 1925 and the last train ran on 22nd July 1953.

Ulster Railway

Incorporated on 19th May 1836 to build a 6' 2" gauge line from Belfast to Armagh. The first section from Belfast to Lisburn was opened on 12th August 1839. The gauge was converted to the standard 5' 3" in 1847. Following many extensions and branches, the UR was amalgamated with the Northern Railway Co. Ireland to form the Great Northern Railway (Ireland) on 1st April 1876.

Ulster Transport Authority

The authority was established on 1st October 1948 to operate the lines of the B&NCR and the NCC together with the Northern Ireland Road Transport Board. The NCC was not in fact purchased until 1st April 1949 while a further purchase added the Ulster portion of the GNR Board in October 1958. The Authority was dissolved in April 1967 with the rail undertakings re-formed as Northern Ireland Railways¼

Vale of Glamorgan Railway

Incorporated on 26th August 1889 and backed by the Barry Railway, the 21 mile line (including branches) from Coity Lower on the Llynfi & Ogmore Railway to Barry opened on 1st December 1897. Worked from the outset by the Barry Railway for 60% of gross receipts and a guaranteed dividend of 4%, it remained independent until absorbed by the GWR on 1st January 1922.

Vale of Llangollen Railway

Incorporated on 1st August 1859 to build a line from Ruabon to Llangollen. It opened on 1st December 1861 and was worked by the GWR from the outset. The company was absorbed the GWR with effect from 1st July 1896, ratified by the GWR Additional Powers Act of 7th August.

Vale of Neath Railway

Incorporated on 3rd August 1846 to build a 16¼ mile line from Neath to Merthyr Tydfil with a branch to Aberdare. It was laid to broad gauge and opened from Neath to Aberdare on 1st September 1851 and to Merhyr on 2nd November 1853. The company absorbed the Aberdare Valley, the Swansea & Neath and the Swansea Harbour Railways and was itself absorbed by the GWR on 10th August 1866.

Wantage Tramway Company

Authorised in 1873, the 2½ mile roadside tramway from Wantage to Wantage Road Station (GWR) was opened for goods on 1st October 1875 and for passengers on 10th October. Traffic was horse-drawn at first but steam was used from 1876. The company remained independent until closure on 19th December 1945, passenger services having ceased on 1st August 1925.

Waterford and Central Ireland Railway

This was the title adopted by the Waterford & Kilkenny Railway on 13th July 1868. The W&KR was authorised on 21st July 1845. The first section from Kilkenny to Thomastown opened on 12th May 1848 but the final section into Waterford did not open until 23rd August 1853. The W&CIR became part of the Great Southern & Western Railway in 1900.

Waterford and Limerick Railway

Incorporated on 21st July 1845 to build a line (with branches) between the two towns. The first section from Clonmel to Fiddown opened on 15th April 1853, and eventually entered Waterford on 11th September 1854. In 1895, the name of the company was changed to the Waterford Limerick & Western Railway.

Waterford and Tramore Railway

Incorporated on 24th July 1851 for a 7¼ mile line between the two towns. The line opened on 7th September 1853 and remained totally isolated from the rest of Ireland's railway system. The company became part of the Great Southern Railways on 1st January 1925 and the whole system closed on 1st January 1961.

Waterford Dungarvan and Lismore Railway

Incorporated on 18th July 1872 to build a 43 Mile line from Waterford, through Dungarvan to Lismore where it would form a junction with the Fermoy & Lismore Railway. It was opened on 12th August 1878. On 1st July 1898 it was taken over (with the F&LR) by the Fishguard & Rosslare Railways and Harbours.

Waterford Limerick and Western Railway

This was the name adopted by the Waterford & Limerick Railway in 1895. The company was amalgamated with the Great Southern & Western Railway in 1901.

Wear Valley Railway

Incorporated on 31st July 1845 for a 10¾ mile line from Bishop Auckland & Weardale Railway to Frosterley with a branch to Broad Wood. It opened on 3rd August 1847. After purchasing the BA&WR, the Wear & Derwent Railway and the Weardale Extension Railway, the company was absorbed by the Stockton & Darlington Railway on 23rd July 1858.

Wellington and Drayton Railway

Incorporated on 7th August 1862 to build a 16½ mile line to link the GWR at Wellington with the Nantwich & Market Drayton Railway. It opened on 16th October 1867 and by an act of 15th July 1864 the company was transferred to the GWR on completion. Full amalgamation with the GWR was not ratified until an act of 12th July 1869.

Welsh Highland Railway

Authorised by a LRO of 30th March 1922, having acquired the North Wales narrow Gauge and the Portmadoc, Beddgelert & South Snowdon Railways wef 1st January 1922. The line opened between Portmadoc (new) and Beddgelert on 1st June 1923 and extended to Portmadoc Harbour on 8th June. Traffic ceased on 31st December 1931. The Festiniog Railway leased the line from 9th July 1934 and finally closed it on 26th September 1936. The company was wound up until 7th February 1944.

Wenlock Railway

Projected as the Much Wenlock, Craven Arms & Coalbrookdale Railway, it was incorporated on 22nd July1861 under an easier title. The 14 mile line ran from Craven Arms to Buildwas with a branch to Coalbrookdale. It was opened from Coalbrookdale to Presthope on 1st November 1864 and to Craven Arms on 16th December 1867. The company was absorbed by the GWR by an act of 7th August1896.

West Clare Railway

Incorporated on 15th December 1883 to build a 3ft gauge line from Ennis to Miltown Malbay. The line opened on 2nd July 1887. The line was continued south to Kilrush and Kilkee by the South Clare Railway and was opened on 7th November 1892. Both companies were absorbed by the Great Southern Railways on 1st January 1925. The whole system closed on 1st February 1961.

West Cornwall Railway

Incorporated on 3rd August 1846 to rebuild the Hayle Railway and extend it to Truro and Penzance. It opened from Redruth to Penzance on 11th March 1852 and to Truro on 16th April 1855. The line was leased to the GWR, Bristol & Exeter and the South Devon Railways by an act of 8th July 1865. It became GWR company when the latter two were absorbed. However the company remained in existence until nationalisation.

West Hartlepool Harbour and Railway

This company was formed on 30th June 1852 when the Clarance, Hartlepool & West Harbour Docks Railway merged with the Stockton & Hartlepool and the Clarence & Hartlepool Railways. The company was absorbed the NER on 5th July 1865.

West London and West London Extension Railways

The increase in traffic on the West London Railway brought about by the opening of the West London Extension Railway encouraged the GWR and the L&NWR to lease the WLR on 31st July 1854. Since the two lines were dependent on each other and were largely owned by the same companies it made sense that they were operated together as this example of paperwork shows. The companies were never formally amalgamated and retained their identities until nationalisation.

West London Extension Railway

This was authorised on 13th August 1859 to build a 4 mile 6 chains of mixed gauge double line linking Kensington (West London Railway) with Clapham Junction. It opened on 2nd March 1863 and was jointly owned by the L&NWR and GWR (one third each ) and the L&SWR and LB&SCR (one sixth each ). The company retained its identity under the GWR, SR, LMS until nationalisation on 1st January 1948.

West Midland Railway

This company was formed on 14th June 1860 by the amalgamation of the Oxford, Worcester & Wolverhampton, the Newport, Abergavenny & Hereford, and the Worcester & Hereford Railways. It worked or leased several other railways and was itself leased to the GWR on 30th May 1861. It was absorbed by the GWR under an act of 13th July 1863.

West Riding Railway Committee

This was the name taken by the joint committee of the GNR and the MS&LR when they took over the West Riding & Grimsby Joint Railway from its opening day on 1st February 1866. The company was absorbed by the GCR and GNR jointly from 1st August 1897 and passed to the LNER at the Grouping.

West Somerset Mineral Railway

Incorporated on 16th July 1855 to link iron ore workings on Brendon Hill with the harbour at Watchett. The line opened on 28th September 1859 and a 1in4 incline connected the workings to the railway. A passenger service to Comberow at the foot of the incline started on 4th September 1865. The line was leased to the Ebbw Vale Company on 24th September 1865 for 55½ years and it successor, the Ebbw Vale Steel, Iron & Coal Company took over the lease in 1868. The mines closed in 1883 but rental was still paid and a passenger service continued until 7th November 1898. The mine re-opened in 1907, but closed again in 1910 and the rails were lifted in 1917.

West Somerset Railway

Incorporated on 14th August 1857, this broad gauge line was opened from Watchett to Norton Fitzwarren on 31st March 1862. It was worked by the Bristol & Exeter Railway and subsequently the GWR. It was converted to standard gauge in 1882. The company retained its independence until taken over by the GWR wef 1st January 1922.

West Yorkshire Railway

This was the title taken on 21st July 1863 by the Bradford, Wakefield & Leeds Railway having opened on 3rd October 1857. On 23rd June 1864, the NER and the L&YR invested £25,000 each equalising the sum invested by the GNR at the outset. The company was absorbed by the GNR under an act of 5th July 1865. At the grouping it became a joint LNER / LMSR company.

Weston Clevedon and Portishead Railway

Authorised on 6th August 1885, the line opened between Weston and Clevedon in December 1897. It had a working agreement with the GWR, but an act of 9th August 1899 decreed it could become a light railway. Another company took over the original line in 1904 and the railway was extended to Portishead on 7th August 1907. Both holding companies went into liquidation and the line was taken over by Col Stephens. The final train ran on 19th May 1940.

Whitby Redcar and Middlesborough

Incorporated on 16th July 1866 to build a line joining the NER's Whitby and Cleveland branches. It was not opened until 5th December 1883 due to poor construction. The NER leased the line on 7th May 1875 and the company was finally vested in the NER on 5th July 1889.

Whitehaven and Furness Junction Railway

Incorporated on 21st July 1845 to build a line, engineered by George Stephenson, from the Whitehaven Junction Railway at Whitehaven to the Furness Railway at Dunnerholme. However financial constraints resulted in a junction with the FR at Broughton. The 33¾ mile line was opened to Ravenglass on 21st July 1849 and throughout on 1st November. The company was absorbed by the FR by an act of 16th July 1866 but wef 1st July 1865.

Whitehaven Cleator and Egremont Railway

This 4½ mile line between Whitehave and Egremont with a branch to Frizington was authorised on 16th June 1854. The line opened for minerals on 11th January 1856 and for passengers on 1st July 1857. Initially running through to Whitehaven it was curtailed at Corkickle when the Whitehaven & Furness Junction Railway levied a toll through its tunnel. The company was vested in the L&NWR wef 1st July 1877 and became a joint L&NWR/FR line by an act of 17th June 1878¼

Whitehaven Junction and Whitehaven & Furness Railways

The Whitehaven Junction Railway (opened in February 1847) and the connecting Whitehaven & Furness Junction Railway (opened in July 1850) were both under the patronage of the Earl of Lonsdale and were both in financial trouble. In 1854 the two companies 'pooled' all their rolling stock and shared their staff under the auspices of a Joint Committee. The WJR was absorbed by the L&NWR in July 1866 and the W&FJR was absorbed by the Furness Railway in July 1865. It is assumed that the 'joint' arrangement lasted until the W&FJR's absorption.

Whitehaven Junction Railway

Incorporated on 4th July 1844 and promoted by the Maryport & Carlisle Railway to link its line with Whitehaven. It opened to Workington on 19th January 1846 and to Whitehaven on 15th February 1847. The opening of the Whitehaven & Furness Junction Railway gave the line an outlet to the south. The company was absorbed by the L&NWR by an act of 16th July 1866.

Wick and Lybster Light Railway

This 13¾ mile line was authorised by a Light Railway Order dated 27th November 1899. It was funded by the Highland Railway and local subscription (£72,000) and a Treasury grant (£25,000). It opened on 1st July 1903 and was worked by the Highland Railway. The company remained independent until grouped into the LMS.

Wigan Junction Railway

Incorporated on 16th July 1874 to build a line from Glazebrook to Wigan. It opened from Glazebrook to Strangeways on 16th October 1879 for goods and throughout to Wigan on 1st April 1884 when passenger services commenced. The company was absorbed by the GCR by an act of 4th August 1905.

Wirral Railway

Originally incorporated in 1884 to build a line through the Wirral to join the Chester to Connah's Quay line. It opened from Birkenhead Docks to Birkenhead Park on 2nd January 1888 where it joined the Mersey Railway. powers for the rest of the line were transferred to the GCR and the WM&CQR. The originally part was re-incorporated with the Seacombe, Hoylake & Deeside Railway into a new Wirral Railway on 11th June 1891. The company passed to the LMS in 1923.

Worcester and Hereford Railway

This was one of several schemes which aimed to link the Midlands with South Wales. The 29½ mile line connecting the two towns was authorised on 15th August 1853 and was opened throughout on 15th September 1861. The company became a constituent of the West Midland Railway on 1st January 1860.

Worcester Bromyard and Leominster Railway

A railway between these towns was authorised on 1st August 1861, but in 1869 the Bromyard to Leominster section was abandoned. The remaining section was opened from Worcester to Yearsett on 2nd May 1874 and to Bromyard on 22nd October 1877. The line was worked by the GWR from opening and the company was absorbed by them on 1st July 1888.

Wotton Tramway

This private railway on the estate of the Duke of Buckingham opened for goods on 1st April 1871. Traffic was horse drawn and in January 1872 passengers were carried and the line was extended 2 miles to Brill. Under an agreement of 17th July 1888 the line was rented by the Oxford & Aylesbury Tramway, passing to the Metropolitan / GCR Joint Committee on 2nd April 1906.

Wrexham and Ellesmere Railway

Incorporated on 31st July 1885 to build a 12¾ mile line linking the two towns. The line was not opened until 2nd November 1895 and was worked by the Cambrian Railway from the outset. The company remained independent until grouped into the GWR on 1st January 1922.

Wrexham Mold and Connah's Quay Railway

Incorporated on 7th August 1862 to build a line from Wrexham to the Buckley Railway. The single track line opened on 1st January 1866. On 26th July 1889, the MS&LR bought a majority share holding, having paid for the Chester - Hawarden link (opened on 31st March 1890). The company was vested in the GCR by an act of 22nd July 1904.

Wye Valley Railway

Incorporated on 10th August 1866 to build a 15½ mile line from a junction with the South Wales Railway near Chepstow along the Wye Valley to Monmouth. It opened on 1st November 1876 and was worked by the GWR from opening. It was vested in the GWR on 4th August 1905.

York and North Midland Railway

Authorised on 21st June 1836, the line ran from an end-on junction with the GNER at York to Altofts where it joined the NMR. It opened to Altofts on 1st July 1840. After absorbing and leasing many connecting companies, it became a constituent of the NER on 31st July 1854.

York Newcastle and Berwick Railway

This was formed on 9th July 1847 when the York & Newcastle and the Newcastle & Berwick Railways amalgamated. The company became a constituent of the NER on 31st July 1854.

Yorkshire Dales Railway

Authorised on 6th August for a 8¾ mile line from Embsay Junction to Grassington. It was intended to ultimately continue onwards to Darlington but this never happened. The line was worked by the Midland Railway from opening on 29th July 1902. The company remained independent until grouped into the LMS.