,,railways4 ,,report ( ! ,,railway      
,,dep>tm5t ( ! ,,bo>d ( ,,trade on !    
,london1 ,worce/]1 & ,wolv]hampton1 & on
 ! ,birm+ham & ,%rewsbury ,di/ricts4    
7,pres5t$ to ,p>liam5t by ,h] ,maje/y's 
,comm&47  ,ord]$1 by ,! ,h\se (         
,commons1 to be ,pr9t$1 #bh ,febru>y    
#ahde4  #hc--b4  ,"u #b oz4  ,railway   
,dep>tm5t1 ,bo>d ( ,trade1 ,:itehall1   
#bh ,febru>y #ahde4  ,! ,bo>d con/itut$ 
by ,m9ute ( ! ,lords ( ! ,committee (   
,privy ,c\ncil = ,trade1 = ! transaction
 ( ,railway bus9ess1 hav+ _h "u         
consid]ation ! diff]5t s*emes deposit$ )
 ! ,railway ,dep>tm5t = ext5d+ ,railway 
communication betwe5 ,london1 ,worce/]1 
& ,wolv]hampton1 & 9 ! di/rict          
int]m$iate betwe5 ! ,london & ,birm+ham 
& ,great ,we/]n ,railways1 & also1 9    
connexion ) ! above1 ! s*emes = ext5d+  
,railway communication betwe5 ,birm+ham 
& ,%rewsbury1 h det]m9$ on submitt+ !   
foll[+ ,report !reon = ! consid]ation ( 
,p>liam5t4  ,! object ( ! fir/ class (  
s*emes 9 "q is to supply ,railway       

communication to ! great m9+ di/rict (  
,/af=d%ire1 ly+ s\? ( ,wolv]hampton1 to 
! t[ns ( ,kidd]m9/]1 ,/\rbridge1        
,/\rport1 ,worce/]1 c41 & to ! di/rict  
nor? ( ,ox=d1 int]m$iate betwe5 ! ,great
 ,we/]n & ,london & ,birm+ham ,railways4
  ,= ?is purpose two compet+ s*emes are 
propos$2 "o1 :i* is promot$ by ! ,london
 & ,birm+ham ,company1 comprises a l9e f
 ,rugby to ,ox=d1 & ano!r f             
,wolv]hampton1 ?r\gh ,worce/] &         
,banbury1 to jo9 ! ,london & ,birm+ham  
l9e at ,tr+2 ! o!r s*eme consi/s ( a l9e
 f ,ox=d to ,rugby1 :i* is propos$ to be
 made by ! ,great ,we/]n ,company2 & (  
ano!r l9e f ,ox=d to ,worce/] &         
,wolv]hampton1 :i* is und]tak5 by an    
indep5d5t ,company1 b 9 connexion ) !   
,great ,we/]n ,company1 & :i* mu/ be    
consid]$ z =m+1 ) ! ,ox=d & ,rugby l9e1 
"o s*eme1 compet+ ) ! =m]4  ,= ! sake ( 
brevity we %all di/+ui% ^! z ! ,london &
 ,birm+ham or ,tr+ ,s*eme1 & ! ,great   
,we/]n or ,ox=d ,s*eme4 ,_! g5]al       
direction w be easily und]/ood by       

ref]5ce to ! accompany+ map4  ,9 _!     
g5]al features & objects ! two s*emes   
are s ne>ly id5tical t ! two manife/ly  
_c /& toge!r4  ,a fur!r s*eme = !       
accommodation ( ! c\ntry betwe5 ,worce/]
 & ,wolv]hampton1 0 propos$ by !        
,birm+ham & ,gl\ce/] ,company1 b x is   
und]/ood t arrangem5ts h be5 made by :i*
 ?is s*eme is )drawn 9 fav\r ( ! ,london
 & ,birm+ham s*eme1 to :i* x 0 moreov]  
inf]ior 9 sev]al important respects1 s t
 we may consid] ! "q z r$uc$ to "o (    
competition betwe5 ! s*emes ( ! two     
great ,companies4  ,! fir/ po9t is1 :e!r
 a suffici5t public case c be e/abli%$  
to ju/ify ! con/ruction ( any ,railway  
at all ?r\gh\t ! di/ricts 9 "q4  ,z     
reg>ds ! ,s\? ,/af=d%ire di/rict1 ?is   
po9t has be5 disput$ by v>i\s ,canal    
int]e/s1 :o urge t ! di/rict is already 
suffici5tly well suppli$ by wat]        
communication1 & t ! introduction (     
,railways1 by de/roy+ ! res\rces &      
crippl+ ! effici5cy ( su* wat]          
communications1 w be productive ( injury

 r ?an ( b5efit to ! ,public4  ,v>i\s   
special reasons h be5 urg$ 9 support (  
?is view1 m especially ) ref]5ce to !   
m9]al di/rict ( :i* ,dudley may be      
consid]$ z ! c5tre4 ,x is said t !      
,birm+ham ,canal ,company h1 at a great 
exp5se1 creat$ a v complete & effici5t  
sy/em ( wat] communication ?r\gh\t ?is  
di/rict2 t a "r is res]v$ ( mak+ bran*  
,canals to all m9es & works )9 c]ta9    
limits1 :i* "r w\ld be to a c]ta9 ext5t 
defeat$ by runn+ a ,railway p>allel to !
 exi/+ ,canal1 to ! injury bo? ( !      
,canal ,company1 & ( ! own]s ( ! m9es & 
works s cut (f2 t ! managem5t & *>ges ( 
! ,canal ,company h always be5 ( ! mo/  
lib]al description2 & f9ally1 t ow+ to !
 peculi> nature ( ! di/rict1 9 :i* great
 excavations h be5 made = m9+ purposes1 
,railways _c be c>ri$ ?r\gh x )\t dang]4
  ,x w be readily conc$$ t ! importance 
( ! di/rict 9 "q is su* z to entitle x  
to require ! be/ means ( communication1 
:e!r by ,canal or ,railway4  ,betwe5    
,wolv]hampton & ,/\rbridge !re are at   

pres5t ab\t #ajj bla/ furnaces 9 "w1    
produc+ ab\t #dfh1jjj tons ( pig iron   
annually4  ,9 ord] to produce ?is       
quantity1 ne>ly #d1jjj1jjj tons ( coals1
 lime1 iron/one1 & o!r raw mat]ials are 
consum$1 :i* are rais$ f ! m9es ( !     
di/rict1 & transport$ to ! v>i\s        
furnaces1 =ges & f\nd]ies4  ,! export ( 
iron f ! di/rict is ab\t #bdj1jjj tons  
annually1 9 addition to l>ge quantities 
( heavy h>dw>es1 t9 plates1 glass1 & o!r
 goods4  ,! export ( coal is also v     
l>ge1 & might be greatly augm5t$ by     
increas$ facilities ( communication4  ,!
 population1 dep5d+ = support on !      
iron-works1 m9es1 & manufactories ( !   
di/rict1 is e/imat$ at n less ?an       
#bcj1jjj2 & ! total population ( !      
respective t[ns & places betwe5         
,wolv]hampton & ,worce/]1 :i* w\ld be   
b5efit$ by ! propos$ ,railway           
communication1 is believ$ to exce$      
#cjj1jjj4  ,among ^! t[ns may be m5tion$
 ,kidd]m9/]1 a place ( consid]able      
manufactur+ importance1 & great         

int]c\rse ) diff]5t p>ts ( ! k+dom2     
,droitwi*1 ) its ext5sive salt works2   
,/\rbridge1 ,/\rport & ,worce/]4  ,!    
con/ruction ( a ,railway 9 ?is direction
 w also lead1 9 all probability1 to     
ext5sions into ! f]tile agricultural    
di/rict on ! we/ ( ! ,sev]n1 t[>ds      
,leom9/] & ,ludl[4  ,! claim ( !        
di/rict1 !re=e1 to ! mo/ improv$ mode ( 
communication c h>dly be disput$2 &     
:atev] claims ,canal ,companies may h f 
b5efits previ\sly conf]r$1 or f pa/     
lib]ality ( managem5t1 su* claims _c be 
consid]$ by u 9 any o!r light ?an ^? (  
o!r private int]e/s1 unless 9 s f> z !y 
may be bas$ ^u public consid]ations4    
,our ,report w n1 9 any way1 prejudice  
or affect ! "r ( ^? ,canal ,companies to
 h _! ve/$ int]e/s1 if any1 c>efully    
consid]$ by ! ,legislature4  ,^u public 
gr\nds1 !re=e1 we h m]ely _h to consid] 
! allegation t ! int]e/s ( ! di/rict w n
 be promot$ by ! introduction (         
,railways1 & t ,railways _c be con/ruct$
 ?r\gh x )\t dang]4  ,^u ! fir/ po9t x  

seems suffici5t to ref] to ! unanim\s   
op9ion ( ! p>ties pr9cipally int]e/$1 & 
:o h ! be/ opportunities ( judg+ ( !    
effects likely to foll[ f ! introduction
 ( ,railways4  ,! only diff]5ce ( op9ion
 has aris5 f ! anxiety ( ! p>ties to    
obta9 a ,railway ( "s description or    
o!r1 :i* has l$ !m to support diff]5t   
compet+ s*emes2 b all p>ties h unit$ 9 !
 /ronge/ repres5tations ( ! vital       
importance to ! di/rict ( obta9+ a good 
,railway communication1 9 addition to ^?
 af=d$ by ! ,canals4  ,a memorial sign$ 
by ! repres5tatives ( #df iron-works1   
#eg furnaces1 & #ih colli]ies1 9 !      
,/af=d%ire m9]al di/rict1 includ+ !     
tru/ees ( ,"l ,w>d1 f ^: e/ate alone    
upw>ds ( #a1jjj1jjj tons ( coal & iron  
are rais$ annually1 9 fav\r ( ! ,london 
& ,birm+ham s*eme2 & ano!r memorial1    
repres5t+ #cg iron-works1 & #i          
colli]ies1 9 fav\r ( ! ,great ,we/]n    
s*eme1 7 pres5t$ to u2 ! memoriali/s 9  
ea* case urg+ 9 ! /ronge/ mann] !       
advantages ( ,railway communication to !

 di/rict4  ,x is /at$1 t )\t su*        
communication1 !y h to compete at a     
great disadvantage ) ! iron di/ricts (  
,s\? ,wales & ,scotl&1 :i*1 f _! readi] 
access to ! sea1 c convey _! products to
 m>ket at a *eap] rate4  ,! ,canals are 
/at$ to be n only m t$i\s & exp5sive1 b 
subject to s]i\s int]ruptions1 (t5 =    
weeks toge!r1 f fro/ 9 w9t] & dr\ght 9  
summ]4  ,9 %ort1 x is urg$ t !          
appreh5sions ( ! ,canal ,companies are !
 be/ te/ ( ! fur!r advantage ( a        
,railway2 s9ce unless ! latt] obta9$ a  
l>ge proportion ( ! heavy traffic1 :i* x
 c\ld only d by af=d+ ! public a bett] &
 *eap] means ( transport1 ! int]e/s ( ! 
,canals c\ld n be prejudic$4  ,) s      
/rongly express$ a wi% on ! "p ( su* an 
important di/rict = ,railway            
communication1 & ) two great ,companies 
compet+ ) "o ano!r to af=d x1 we d n ?9k
 t1 ^u public gr\nds1 we %\ld be ju/ifi$
 9 report+ t x ought to be )held on     
acc\nt ( any appreh5d$ int]f]5ce ) exi/+
 wat] communications4  ,9 ! case ( "o   

,canal ,company1 special reasons exi/$  
:i* might h weigh$ m /rongly ?an ^?     
d]iv$ solely f private consid]ations2   
viz4 t a gu>antee _h be5 giv5 to assi/ !
 ,sev]n ,navigation ,commission]s to    
raise money = ! purpose ( c>ry+ out a   
great public improvem5t au?oriz$ by     
,p>liam5t4  ,f ?is difficulty1 h[ev]1 z 
well z f ! appreh5sion ( t great        
improvem5t be+ imp$$ by ! introduction (
 ,railways into ! di/rict1 we are       
reliev$ by ! (f] made by ! ,railway     
,company to ^: s*eme we recomm5d t a    
pref]5ce %\ld be giv51 to take ^u       
!mselves ! burd5 ( ! gu>antee to ! ext5t
 ( any loss su/a9$ 9 consequ5ce ( !     
con/ruction ( ! ,railway1 subject to any
 reasonable conditions & arrangem5ts4   
,) reg>d to ! rema9+ po9t1 t ( safety1 x
 is admitt$ t portions ( ! soil be+     
und]m9$1 subsid5ces occasionally take   
place2 b !re appe>s no reason to        
appreh5d any peculi> degree ( dang] to a
 ,railway f ?is s\rce1 beyond :at       
equally affects ! ,canals1 ,roads1      

,tramroads1 ,f\nd]ies1 ,mills1 & o!r    
build+s ( ! di/rict1 & :i* has nev] be5 
consid]$ an imp$im5t to ! introduction (
 ,railways 9 o!r m9+ di/ricts4  ,"s ( ! 
mo/ em95t eng9e]s ( ! day1 among :om may
 be m5tion$ ,sir ,j4 ,r5nie1 ,mr4       
,brunel1 & ,mr4 ,r4 ,/eph5son1 h propos$
 ! l9es :i* pass ?r\gh ! di/rict 9 "q1 &
 are cle>ly ( op9ion t !y may be work$  
)\t any unusual degree ( dang]4  ,we are
 ( op9ion1 !re=e1 t "s "o l9e ( ,railway
 is requir$1 & may be prop]ly sanction$1
 = ! accommodation ( ! di/rict 9 "q1    
betwe5 ,wolv]hampton & ,worce/]4  ,?is  
be+ conc$$1 ! sanction ( a l9e 9        
connexion ) x1 to connect ,worce/] m    
directly ) ,london1 & to give           
communication to ! l>ge int]m$iate      
di/rict1 appe>s to foll[ almo/ z a matt]
 ( c\rse4  ,! supply ( coals to ?is     
di/rict1 :]e a great r$uction ( price w 
be effect$1 is alone an important       
object2 &1 on ! o!r h&1 an outlet w be  
af=d$ = agricultural produce4  ,a       
population ( ab\t #abh1jjj betwe5       

,worce/] & ,tr+ w\ld be accommodat$ by !
 l9e 9 t direction2 & on ! :ole1 tak5 9 
connexion ) ! ,worce/] & ,wolv]hampton  
,junction1 ! traffic seems suffici5t to 
ju/ify a fair expectation ( return on ! 
capital to be inve/$1 z also on ! ,rugby
 & ,ox=d portion ( ! l9e1 :i* w complete
 a *a9 ( direct ,railway communication f
 ! ,nor!rn & ,midl& to ! ,s\!rn & ,s\?  
,we/]n c\nties1 & w af=d to ^? c\nties a
 valuable supply ( coal f ! ,d]by%ire   
colli]ies4  ,we proce$1 !re=e1 to       
inve/igate ! subject1 on ! assumption t 
"o or o!r ( ! compet+ s*emes promot$ by 
! ,london & ,birm+ham1 & ,great ,we/]n  
,companies1 w be sanction$1 & t ! "q is 
r$uc$ to "o ( pref]5ce betwe5 !m4  ,9   
reg>d to di/ance1 ! two s*emes are z    
ne>ly z possible equal1 ! di/ance f     
,worce/] to ,london be+ #abb miles by ! 
,tr+ l9e1 & #aai by ! ,ox=d l9e2 ! =m]1 
h[ev]1 t]m9at+ at ! ,eu/on ,squ>e       
,/ation1 & ! latt] at ,padd+ton4  ,!    
numb] ( miles ( new ,railway to be      
con/ruct$ 9 ei!r case is also ne>ly !   

same2 nor does !re appe> to be any?+ 9  
respect ( gradi5ts or eng9e]+ "*        
calculat$ to give "o s*eme a decid$     
pref]5ce ov] ! o!r4  ,! c\rse ( ! ,tr+  
l9e accommodates a l>g] population      
betwe5 ,worce/] & ,london ?an ! ,ox=d   
l9e2 b ! importance ( ! di/ricts trav]s$
 by ei!r l9e1 & left out by its         
competitor1 is h>dly suffici5t to give a
 decid$ sup]iority on a "q ( su*        
magnitude4  ,a f> m important feature ( 
comp>ison is d]iv$ f a consid]ation ( ! 
"q ( gauge4  ,! ,great ,we/]n s*eme is  
propos$ to be con/ruct$ on ! wide gauge 
( sev5 feet1 us$ ^u ! diff]5t ,railways 
( ! ,great ,we/]n sy/em2 :ile ! s*eme ( 
! ,london & ,birm+ham ,company is       
propos$ to be con/ruct$ on ! n>r[ gauge 
( #d feet #h4e in*es1 common to all !   
o!r ,railways ( ! k+dom4  ,9 ord] to    
e/imate fully ! importance ( ?is "q1 x  
mu/ be borne 9 m9d t ! ,bri/ol &        
,gl\ce/] ,railway is on ! wide1 :ile !  
,birm+ham & ,gl\ce/] is on ! n>r[ gauge1
 & t ! inconv5i5ce result+ f ! break ( !

 two gauges at ,gl\ce/] has be5 s great 
z to lead to an amalgamation ( ! two    
,companies1 ) a view to obviate x1 by   
introduc+ uni=mity ( gauge ?r\gh\t      
betwe5 ,bri/ol & ,birm+ham4  ,f !       
arrangem5ts :i* h be5 made ) ?is view1 x
 is p]fectly evid5t t ^u ! "q ( !       
,worce/] l9es dep5ds :e!r ?is uni=mity w
 be propos$ to be atta9$1 by ! ,birm+ham
 & ,gl\ce/] ,railway adopt+ ! wide      
gauge1 or ! ,bri/ol & ,gl\ce/] adopt+ ! 
n>r[4  ,! "q1 !re=e1 ^u :i* we h _h to  
=m an op9ion is1 :e!r x is bett] =      
public int]e/s t ! wide gauge %\ld come 
up to ,birm+ham & ,rugby1 or t ! n>r[   
gauge %\ld g d[n to ,bri/ol & ,ox=d8  ,x
 w\ld be difficult to ov]rate !         
importance ( ?is "q 9 a national &      
comm]cial po9t ( view4  ,if !re is "o   
po9t m fully e/abli%$ ?an ano!r 9 !     
practice ( ,railways1 x is t !          
inconv5i5ce occasion$ by a break ^u a   
l9e ( ?r\gh-traffic1 occasion$ by want (
 uni=mity ( gauge1 is ( su* a s]i\s     
description z to detract mo/ mat]ially f

 ! advantages ( ,railway communication4 
,! foll[+ description ( :at has actually
 occurr$ at ,gl\ce/] dur+ ! la/ few     
mon?s1 furni%$ to u by a g5tleman :o has
 be5 practically engag$ 9 ! managem5t ( 
! traffic1 w give "s idea ( ! work+ ( ! 
sy/em3--     ,we exp]i5ce ! greate/     
possible inconv5i5ce f ! *ange1    bo? z
 reg>ds pass5g]s & goods2 coals we h n  
attempt$ to    tran%ip4     ,9 ! fir/   
place z reg>ds pass5g]s & pass5g] tra9s3
     ,! pass5g]s & _! luggage h to be   
hurri$ across f "o    tra9 to ! o!r1 :5 
!re is a *ance ( ! luggage be+          
misplac$4  ,g5tlem5's c>riages & horses 
h to be *ang$1 a    process unit+ "t &  
risk4  ,valuable p>cels h to be h&$ out 
9 ! confusion1 & h&$ 94     ,! result is
 a delay1 ) ! ,mail-tra9s1 = in/ance1 ( 
half an    h\r sometimes1 j suffici5t if
 ! com+-9 tra9 is aft] "t1    to miss ! 
,man*e/] or o!r tra9 f ,birm+ham1 or !  
,exet]    or ,ba? tra9 f ,bri/ol2       
annoyance to ! pass5g]s1 :o are         
anxi\s ab\t _! p>cels & luggage2 risk1 &

 exp5se1 z a l>ge    body ( port]s h to 
be ma9ta9$1 :o are n fully employ$1 9   
ord] t no m "t ?an is necess>y %\ld be  
lo/ 9 ! *ange    ( tra9s4     ,) reg>d  
to goods1 ! inconv5i5ce att5d+ ! *ange  
is f>    m s]i\s4     ,up to ?is day a  
great numb] ( waggons lad5 ) goods ( all
    descriptions h be5 ly+ at ,gl\ce/]1 
:i* we h be5 unable    to remove 9 spite
 ( e ex]tion4  ,we keep an e/abli%m5t ( 
cl]ks & port]s to sup]9t5d & effect !   
tran%ipm5t1 b1 9    ! hurry ( bus9ess1  
mi/akes occur2 goods de/9$ = ,hull are  
p]haps put into ! ,man*e/] truck2 boxes 
are bruis$1 pack+    torn1 furniture &  
brittle articles damag$4  ,!re is !     
*ance (    mi/ake 9 ! re-invoic+ (      
goods2 ! o!r day1 = in/ance1 a    bale =
 ,bri/ol 0 laid hold ( by a c>ri] at    
,gl\ce/] & tak5    to ,brecon1 a claim =
 "s #cjl4 be+ in/antly made ^u u4     ,9
 %ort1 all ! inconv5i5ce1 delay1 &      
exp5se att5d+ an    unload+ & reload+ ( 
goods h to be enc\nt]$1 & !re is    no?+
 ! s5d]s ( goods s mu* dread z ?is4  ,! 

exp5se    involv$ is v consid]able3 !re 
is ! exp5se ( port]age1    :i* v>ies f  
#c;d4 to #f;d4 p] ton3 ! exp5se ( cl]ks 
employ$ 9 inspect+ & invoic+ ! goods1 ! 
exp5se (    %unt+ ! waggons1 ! wa/e (   
premises1 ! additional c>ry+    /ock x  
obliges ! ,companies on ea* gauge to    
ma9ta91 &1 above    all1 ! loss ( trade 
:i* is sure to result f ! delay & risk  
att5d+ ! *ange1 & ! advantage :i*       
un9t]rupt$    communications1 :e!r by   
,wat] or ,railway1 are sure to h ov] y  
9 competition4     ,mu* ( ?is exp5se &  
delay1 x may be said1 c be obviat$ by   
bett] arrangem5ts & m c>e2 by ample     
/ation accommodation1 by    abundant    
c>ry+ /ock4  ,no d\bt "s ( x may be     
prev5t$1 b    ?is is only ano!r "n =    
exp5se4  ,! c>e1 too1 :i* is    requir$ 
mu/ n be conf9$ to ! ,railways          
imm$iately affect$1    b mu/ comm5ce on 
a ,railway a long way (f4  ,! goods f   
,le$s    = ,bri/ol1 = in/ance1 mu/ be   
duly plac$ toge!r at ,le$s1    pack$ 9  
su* a mann] z w enable y at ,gl\ce/] to 

get at    !m 9 ! be/ mann]4  ,!y mu/ be 
=w>d$ f ,le$s1 & aga9    f ,birm+ham1 9 
su* quantities z w be conv5i5t at       
,gl\ce/]4  ,! arrangem5ts1 9 %ort1 by   
:i* our int]e/s at    ,gl\ce/] w be be/ 
consult$1 w h to be made by ano!r       
,company1 (t5 n int]e/$ 9 ! matt]1 & ^: 
conv5i5ce may    sugge/ ano!r c\rse4  ,y
 _c1 !re=e1 look =w>d to    rem$y+ _m ( 
! difficulties att5d+ on *ange ( gauge1 
:i*    are ( ?is nature4  ,to ! above   
summ>y ( ! practical inconv5i5ces       
m5tion$1 we h only to add1 t ! num]\s   
repres5tations address$ to u by !       
pr9cipal c>ry+ & comm]cial int]e/s :i* h
 be5 conc]n$ 9 ! traffic affect$ by !   
*ange ( gauge at ,gl\ce/]1 h fully borne
 out ! /atem5t ( ! evils exp]i5c$1 m    
especially ) ref]5ce to ! loss1 delay1 &
 misdirection ( goods4  ,! pr9cipal     
,railway ,companies nor? ( ,birm+ham h  
also made /rong repres5tations z to !   
ob/acle ?r[n 9 ! way ( a prop]          
developm5t ( ! traffic by ! break (     
gauge2 an ob/acle :i*1 z reg>ds coal1   

iron1 salt1 corn1 & e description (     
heavy goods1 !y consid] z am\nt+ to a   
virtual prohibition4  ,! "q may be rais$
 h[ f> x is possible to obviate !       
inconv5i5ce ( two diff]5t gauges by     
me*anical arrangem5ts8  ,^! arrangem5ts 
may consi/ ei!r--  #a4  ,( contrivances 
= transf]r+ ! bodies ( waggons f ! :eels
 & axles adapt$ = "o gauge to ^? adapt$ 
= ! o!r2 or--  #b4  ,! lay+ d[n (       
additional rails1 s z to p]mit tra9s (  
ei!r gauge to run on )\t int]ruption4   
,) reg>d to ! fir/1 x is /at$ t !       
exp]im5t has be5 repeat$ly tri$ on !    
,liv]pool & ,man*e/]1 ! ,newca/le &     
,d>l+ton1 ! ,leice/] & ,swann+ton1 & o!r
 ,railways1 :]e cross$ by local coal    
,railways ( a n>r[] gauge1 & has nev]   
succe$$4  ,! practical difficulties also
 are obvi\s1 ( secur+ ) waggons         
con/ruct$ ) moveable bodies1 ! rigidity 
& solidity requisite = safety1 & to     
prev5t excessive we> & te>1 & damage to 
! articles convey$4  ,ev5 if we 7 to    
suppose1 h[ev]1 all me*anical           

difficulties ov]come1 ! s]i\s objection 
w\ld /ill rema91 t 9 addition to !      
exp5se ( transf]1 a l>ge additional /ock
 w\ld require to be kept by all ,railway
 ,companies1 own]s ( m9es1 & o!r p>ties 
:o _h occasion to s5d traffic sometimes 
9 ! direction :]e ! gauge 0 un9t]rupt$1 
& sometimes 9 ! direction :]e waggons ( 
a special con/ruction 7 requir$4  ,?is  
consid]ation is ! m important z1 "u !   
sy/em ( ! cle>+- h\se1 ! :ole /ock ( !  
n>r[-gauge ,railways ( ! c\ntry may be  
consid]$ z becom+ m & m common prop]ty1 
available :]ev] !re may be a press (    
bus9ess1 & = z great di/ances z may be  
requir$1 9 ord] to avoid ! inconv5i5ce (
 unload+4  ,! second arrangem5t1 ( lay+ 
d[n additional rails1 may be practicable
 "u peculi> circum/ances1 & to a limit$ 
ext5t1 b x is op5 to great objections4  
,x is v d\btful h[ f> ! addition ( a    
s+le rail only w\ld be consi/5t )       
safety1 z 9 ?is case ! c5tre ( gravity (
 ! c>riages ( diff]5t gauge 9 ! same    
tra9 w\ld n be 9 ! same /raight l9e4    

,if a complete d\ble set ( rails 7 laid 
d[n ! exp5se w\ld be v consid]able4  ,! 
complication ( swit*es & cross+s t w\ld 
be necess>y w\ld involve consid]able    
additional risk & great exp5se4  ,!     
difficulty & exp5se ( ma9ta9+ ! p]man5t 
way1 & ( keep+ ! d\ble set ( rails 9    
prop] adju/m5t1 w\ld be greatly         
increas$2 & on ! :ole1 ! exp5se1        
inconv5i5ce1 & risk1 w\ld probably be s 
great z to prev5t ! exp]im5t f be+ tri$ 
to any ext5t4  ,we _c !re=e consid] !   
plan ( lay+ d[n additional rails z      
applicable1 unless p]haps to a limit$   
ext5t & "u special circum/ances1 su* z  
enabl+1 = in/ance1 m9]al waggons        
con/ruct$ = ! n>r[ gauge to pass = a    
%ort di/ance & at a sl[ spe$ ov] a      
wide-gauge ,railway2 ) :i* view alone x 
is propos$ to lay d[n extra rails ^u !  
,ox=d1 ,worce/]1 & ,wolv]hampton l9e1 = 
a few miles s\? ( ,wolv]hampton4  ,on ! 
:ole1 !re=e1 we _c consid] any ( !      
me*anical arrangem5ts :i* h be5 propos$ 
= obviat+ ! inconv5i5ce ( a meet+ (     

diff]5t gauges 7ev5 if we c\ld assume _!
 practicability1 :i* 9 ! pres5t /ate (  
exp]i5ce we %\ld n be w>rant$ 9 do+17 z 
any?+ bett] ?an p>tial & imp]fect       
palliatives ( a great evil4  ,assum+ ?is
 to be ! case1 & assum+ also1 z we are  
compell$ to d1 t an int]ruption ( gauge 
mu/ exi/ some:]e1 ! "q is r$uc$ to ?is3 
to asc]ta9 at :at po9ts su* int]ruption 
%\ld be fix$ 9 ord] to occasion ! lea/  
inconv5i5ce to ! traffic & comm]ce ( !  
c\ntry4  ,f ! fact t ne>ly #b1jjj miles 
( ,railway are already made or sanction$
 on ! n>r[ gauge1 :ile n m ?an #cjj are 
sanction$ on ! wide gauge1 a            
disproportion :i* w be /ill m l>gely    
increas$ by ! new ,railways n[ 9        
contemplation1 an inf]5ce might be drawn
 9 fav\r ( conf9+ ! gauge :i* is 9 su* a
 decid$ m9ority )9 ! n>r[e/ possible    
limits2 & ?is inf]5ce might be /r5g!n$  
by ref]r+ to ! obvi\s fact t ! wide     
gauge has n realiz$ ^? decid$ advantages
 ov] ! n>r[ gauge :i* 7 at "o "t        
anticipat$4  ,! actual spe$ ( tra9s ^u !

 ,great ,we/]n ,railway1 z %[n by !     
publi%$ "t-tables1 & by (ficial returns1
 is n s high z ^u "s n>r[-gauge         
,railways1 & not)/&+ ! excell5ce ( its  
gradi5ts1 v slightly high] ?an ! av]age 
spe$ ( o!r great ,railways on ! n>r[    
gauge4  ,9 respect ( safety1 x is       
manife/ t bo? gauges are alike          
unobjectionable1 ) due precaution &     
prop] managem5t2 & 9 respect ( conv5i5ce
 & ( economy1 includ+ ! co/ bo? (       
con/ruction & work+1 ! op9ion ( a great 
majority ( ! mo/ em95t au?orities is    
unfav\rable to ! wide gauge4  ,)\t wi%+ 
to express any positive op9ion ourselves
 ^u ! po9t1 x is en\gh = u to say t we  
?9k !re is no?+ 9 ! relative m]its ( !  
two gauges 9 !mselves mat]ially to      
affect ! "q betwe5 !m1 :i* turns ^u     
comm]cial consid]ations4  ,9 ?is po9t ( 
view ! "q is1 z we h already obs]v$1    
:e!r ! po9ts ( junction betwe5 ! wide & 
n>r[ gauge %\ld be at ,rugby1 ,birm+ham 
& ,wolv]hampton1 or at ,ox=d & ,bri/ol4 
,9 support ( ! fir/ view1 x is cont5d$ t

 ! pr9ciple :i* %\ld regulate ! *oice ( 
! po9ts ( junction ought to be to fix !m
 at great foci ( traffic1 & c5tres (    
conv]g+ ,railways1 :]e delay mu/ take   
place & l>ge e/abli%m5ts be ma9ta9$ at  
any rate2 :ile on ! o!r h& x is cont5d$ 
t su* po9ts are ! wor/ possible to      
select1 & t ! opposite pr9ciple %\ld be 
adopt$1 ( conf9+ an inevitable          
inconv5i5ce )9 ! n>r[e/ possible limits1
 by fix+ ! po9ts ( junction :]e !re is  
lea/ ?r\gh-traffic4  ,! correctness ( ! 
latt] proposition seems p]fectly obvi\s 
^u g5]al consid]ations2 b ! "q is "o (  
su* great comm]cial importance1 t we h  
?\ght x "r to inquire fully & 9 detail  
into ! practical effects t w\ld result  
to ! pr9cipal int]e/s conc]n$ f an      
int]ruption ( ! gauge1 on ! "o h&1 at   
,birm+ham & ,rugby1 & on ! o!r at       
,bri/ol & ,ox=d4  ,by ei!r comb9ation ! 
traffic ( places int]m$iate betwe5      
,birm+ham & ,bri/ol ) ea* o!r1 & )      
,london1 w\ld n be affect$2 uni=mity (  
gauge be+ secur$ equally 9 ! "o case by 

! wide1 9 ! o!r by ! n>r[ gauge4  ,by   
ei!r comb9ation ! traffic betwe5 places 
nor? & ea/ ( ! l9e ( ! ,london &        
,birm+ham ,railway & places s\? ( ! l9e 
( ! ,great ,we/]n ,railway w\ld n be    
affect$1 int]ruption ( gauge hav+       
equally to be enc\nt]$ 9 ! "o case at   
,bri/ol & ,ox=d1 9 ! o!r at ,birm+ham & 
,rugby4  ,by ! =m] or wide-gauge        
comb9ation1 ! traffic betwe5 ,devon%ire1
 ,cornwall & all places s\? ( ! l9e ( ! 
,great ,we/]n ,railway1 & ,birm+ham1 &  
all places betwe5 ,birm+ham & ,bri/ol1  
w\ld ga91 i4e4 w\ld escape an           
int]ruption ( gauge2 also su* ( !       
traffic ( ,s\? ,wales1 to ,birm+ham1 &  
places %ort ( ,birm+ham1 z 9 ! ev5t ( ! 
,s\? ,wales ,railway be+ sanction$1 w\ld
 take ! circuit\s r\te by t ,railway to 
! nor? ( ,gl\ce/]4  ,on ! o!r h& by !   
n>r[-gauge comb9ation1 a break is avoid$
 9 ! :ole ( ! traffic betwe5 ,man*e/]1  
,liv]pool1 ,hull1 & ! ,nor!rn1 ,ea/]n1 &
 ,midl& portions ( ! k+dom1 & ,bri/ol1  
,gl\ce/]1 ,worce/]1 & ! :ole di/rict    

int]m$iate betwe5 ! ,london & ,birm+ham 
& ,great ,we/]n ,railways4  ,! p>am\nt  
importance ( ?is consid]ation has be5   
/rongly urg$ ^u u by p>ties practically 
acqua9t$ ) ! traffic1 & by ! pr9cipal   
int]e/s affect$ by ! "q4  ,9 ! memorial 
already ref]r$ to1 sign$ by !           
repres5tatives ( #df iron-works1 #eg    
furnaces1 & #ih colli]ies1 9 !          
,/af=d%ire m9]al di/rict1 9 fav\r ( !   
,london & ,birm+ham l9e1 & n>r[-gauge   
sy/em1 x is /at$ t1 ( ! total export ( !
 di/rict1 only eight p] c5t4 is s5t 9 ! 
direction ( ,bri/ol1 ( :i* by f> !      
great] quantity is %ipp$ f t port1 &    
w\ld !re=e be unaffect$ by a break (    
gauge !re2 :ile #cg p] c5t4 is s5t to   
,liv]pool & ! nor? & nor?-we/ ( ! k+dom1
 & #ac p] c5t4 to ,hull & ! ea/1 all (  
:i* w\ld consequ5tly suff] by a break at
 ,birm+ham4  ,! wool trade betwe5       
,bri/ol1 :]e wool fairs are held        
annually1 & ,leice/] & ! ,we/ ,rid+ (   
,york%ire1 is v consid]able1 all ( :i*  
w\ld escape a break ( gauge by !        

n>r[-gauge comb9ation4  ,! export ( salt
 f ,droitwi*1 bo? to ,gl\ce/] & ,bri/ol1
 & to ,hull & o!r p>ts ( ! k+dom1 is    
already l>ge1 & likely to receive v     
great increase1 if an unbrok5 ,railway  
communication is af=d$1 :i* c only be   
done by ! n>r[-gauge comb9ation4  ,!    
same comb9ation af=ds ! important       
advantage ( an unbrok5 communication to 
! traffic ( ,man*e/] & ,liv]pool )      
,bri/ol1 & inde$ ) ! :ole ( ! ,we/ (    
,engl&1 z a v inconsid]able proportion (
 ! goods actually dispat*$ require to be
 c>ri$ 9 transit ?r\gh ,bri/ol4  ,! same
 rem>k applies to ! trade ( ! ,pott]ies 
) ! ,we/ ( ,engl&2 ( ,bri/ol & ,gl\ce/] 
) ! ,midl& ,c\nties1 :]e ! imports ( ^! 
ports n[ meet ^? ( ,hull & ,liv]pool2 ( 
,worce/]1 ,kidd]m9/]1 c4 ) ,liv]pool1   
,lanca%ire1 & ,york%ire1 & ( v>i\s o!r  
bran*es ( traffic t might be specifi$4  
,z a pro( ( ! importance ( "s ( !       
bran*es ( traffic t w\ld be ?us         
inconv5i5c$ by a *ange ( gauge at       
,birm+ham1 x may be m5tion$ t s+le      

c>ri]s already s5d z mu* z #bj1jjj tons 
a ye> 9 transit ?r\gh ,birm+ham1 by !   
,birm+ham & ,gl\ce/] ,railway1 & t !    
total quantity ?us s5t is e/imat$ at f  
#ej1jjj to #ajj1jjj tons p] annum1 & is 
consid]$ to be capable ( great increase1
 ! l9e ( communication hav+ be5 only v  
rec5tly complet$ by ! op5+ ( ! ,bri/ol &
 ,gl\ce/] ,railway1 & ! developm5t ( !  
traffic hav+ s9ce be5 greatly imp$$ by !
 int]ruption ( ! gauge at ,gl\ce/]1 &   
o!r circum/ances4  ,) ! l[ rates :i* x  
is n[ propos$ to e/abli% on coals1 salt1
 agricultural produce1 & o!r heavy      
goods1 ! am\nt ( traffic t may be       
expect$ to pass f ! we/ 9 transit ?r\gh 
,birm+ham1 & vice v]sa1 if ! advantage (
 an unbrok5 communication c be secur$1 w
 be exce$+ly great4  ,x has be5         
repres5t$ to u t ,droitwi* alone w\ld   
s5d upw>ds ( #bej1jjj tons ( salt       
annually4  ,! same obs]vation applies z 
to ! coal traffic f ! ,midl& ,c\nties   
?r\gh ,rugby to ,ox=d4  ,! :ole ( !     
ext5sive di/rict betwe5 ,rugby & ,ox=d1 

:]e coal is n[ usually at a v high      
price1 may be *eaply suppli$ by         
,railway2 an object ( great importance1 
:i* c\ld be only p>tially atta9$ if !   
imp$im5t ( an int]ruption ( gauge 7     
all[$ to exi/ at ,rugby4  ,ano!r        
important consid]ation :i* seems to po9t
 to ,bri/ol r ?an ,birm+ham1 z a prop]  
po9t = ! int]ruption ( ! gauge1 & :i*   
has be5 /rongly urg$ ^u u by c>ri]s1    
m]*ants1 & practical m5 acqua9t$ ) !    
c\rse ( traffic1 is1 t ,bri/ol1 l       
,london1 is a great emporium & %ipp+    
port1 ?r\gh :i* a comp>atively small    
portion ( ! goods :i* ent] by ,railway  
require to be =w>d$ 9 transit )\t       
repack+ & assortm5t4  ,! facilities =   
wat] communication ) ,bri/ol also give !
 public a bett] alt]native ?an !y w\ld  
enjoy else:]e ( avoid+ ! inconv5i5ce ( !
 *ange ( gauge1 & ?us af=d ! be/        
possible security1 t if ! int]ruption be
 fix$ !re1 ! ,railway ,companies int]e/$
 w use e possible ef=t to r$uce !       
inconv5i5ce to a m9imum4  ,= all ^!     

consid]ations1 we c h no hesitation 9   
express+ our pref]5ce1 on public gr\nds1
 to ! alt]native t proposes to fix !    
break ( gauges at ,bri/ol & ,ox=d1 r ?an
 at ,birm+ham & ,rugby4  ,ano!r         
important advantage (f]$ by ! ,london & 
,birm+ham s*eme1 & intimately connect$ )
 ! "q ( ! gauge1 is ! arrangem5t by :i* 
x is propos$ to lay d[n an additional   
d\ble l9e ( rails ?r\gh\t ! m9]al       
di/rict1 to be devot$ entirely to !     
accommodation ( ! m9]al traffic4  ,we h 
already se5 t ! production ( iron ( !   
di/rict requires a cont9u$ int]*ange (  
coals1 lime1 iron/one1 & o!r raw        
mat]ials among ! diff]5t m9es & works1  
to ! ext5t ( ab\t #d1jjj1jjj tons       
annually4  ,x is only by obta9+ ready   
access to ! ,railway by means ( %ort    
bran*es or tramroads f ^? m9es & works1 
t ! b5efits contemplat$ f ! introduction
 ( ,railway communication c be fully    
realiz$4  ,b if ?is is to be ! case1 &  
if any consid]able portion ( ?is imm5se 
local traffic is to pass by ,railway1 x 

is manife/ t ! rails s us$ c\ld n be    
r5d]$ available )\t extreme dang] &     
inconv5i5ce = ! g5]al traffic4  ,ev5 !  
export trade alone 9 coals & iron c\ld n
 be conduct$ ) conv5i5ce ^u ! same l9e (
 rails z ! pass5g] traffic1 & w\ld      
require a sep>ate l9e ( rails 9 ord] to 
all[ ! waggons pass+ & repass+ f !      
diff]5t works )9 ! di/rict to rea* )\t  
int]ruption "s pr9cipal /ation at its   
extremity1 :]e tra9s ( ! prop] size c\ld
 be =m$ & dispat*$ to di/ant po9ts4     
,?is object w\ld be v imp]fectly        
fulfill$ by ! plan propos$ by !         
wide-gauge ,railway1 ( lay+ d[n an extra
 rail1 or pair ( rails1 on ! n>r[ gauge1
 inside ! pr9cipal rails1 :i* w\ld1 9   
fact1 obviate none ( ! objections to !  
accumulation ( sl[ m9]al tra9s ^u ! ma9 
pass5g] l9e1 & w\ld all[ ( no access by 
lat]al tramroads1 )\t cutt+ up ! ma9 l9e
 by cross+s4  ,x is repres5t$ also t !  
waggons ( ! wide gauge are1 f _! great] 
weight & size1 ill adapt$ = ! purposes (
 ! m9]al traffic4  ,! arrangem5t 9 "q1 (

 an additional d\ble l9e ( rails1 is    
equally propos$ by ! l9e f ,birm+ham to 
,%rewsbury1 via ,dudley & ,wolv]hampton1
 :i* trav]ses ! same m9]al di/rict1 &   
mu/ be consid]$ z1 to a great ext5t1    
id5tifi$ ) ! ,tr+ or ,london & ,birm+ham
 s*eme4  ,! case ( ! ,%rewsbury l9e1 z  
comp>$ ) ! compet+ s*eme ( ! ,gr&       
,junction ,company1 :i* /ops at         
,wolv]hampton1 dep5ds v mu* on ! same   
argum5ts1 ( ! importance ( op5+ up !    
,/af=d%ire m9]al field by ,railway      
communication1 :i* h be5 already adduc$ 
9 fav\r ( ! ,tr+ l9e2 & ! objections to 
x on ! "p ( ! ,canal & o!r int]e/s are (
 ! same description4 ,! arrangem5ts     
propos$ = supply+ ! local wants ( !     
di/rict are also ( ! same nature1 & !   
plans & sections ( ! two l9es           
correspond1 s t ! portion betwe5 ,dudley
 & ,wolv]hampton is common to ! two2 !  
und]/&+ be+ t1 if bo? are sanction$ by  
,p>liam5t1 ?is portion is to be made by 
! ,%rewsbury ,company1 & us$ on         
equitable conditions by ! o!r ,company4 

,! ,great ,we/]n s*eme1 on ! o!r h&1    
introduces a diff]5t gauge & diff]5t    
arrangem5ts1 & adopts a diff]5t l9e     
betwe5 ,dudley & ,wolv]hampton1 s t its 
exi/5ce is h>dly compatible ) t ( !     
,%rewsbury s*eme4  ,= ! reasons /at$ we 
are !re=e ( op9ion t1 = ! purpose (     
accommodat+ ! great m9]al di/rict (     
,/af=d%ire1 ! comb9$ s*eme ( ! ,tr+ &   
,%rewsbury l9es is pref]able to any o!r 
t has be5 propos$4  ,! ,tr+ s*eme is    
equally sup]ior = ! local accommodation 
( ,kidd]m9/]1 ,/\rbridge1 & ,/\rport1 to
 :i* x gives bett] /ations1 by pursu+ a 
l[] level along ! bottom ( ! valleys1 & 
x admits ( m easy ext5sion t[>ds        
,leom9/]1 ,ludl[1 & ! ,we/4  ,betwe5    
,worce/] & ,london x accommodates1 z we 
h already se51 a l>g] population2 &     
!re=e1 on ! :ole1 bo? 9 ^! respects & 9 
! important p>ticul> ( ! gauge1 x seems 
to u to be 9 itself decid$ly pref]able  
to ! compet+ ,great ,we/]n s*eme4  ,x   
rema9s to be se5 :e!r !re are any o!r   
consid]ations :i* might modify ?is      

conclusion4  ,x is urg$1 t ! concession 
( ?is l9e to a ,company promot$ by !    
,london & ,birm+ham ,company1 w         
con/itute a great monopoly1 ext5d+ ov] a
 va/ ext5t ( c\ntry1 :ile1 by giv+ x to 
! ,great ,we/]n ,company1 a competition 
w\ld be introduc$1 f :i* ! ,public might
 d]ive b5efit4  ,on ! o!r h&1 x may be  
said t1 to all[ ! ,great ,we/]n ,company
 to embrace1 by _! influ5ce1 n only !   
:ole we/]n communications ( ! isl&1 b   
also ! :ole ( ,s\? ,wales1 & ! :ole     
di/rict up to ,worce/] & ,birm+ham1 w\ld
 be to e/abli% a monopoly mu* m gigantic
 ?an t ( ! ,london & ,birm+ham4  ,?is   
latt] monopoly w\ld also be m obvi\sly  
objectionable1 inasmu* z an int]e/      
adv]se to ! ,public w\ld at once be     
e/abli%$ if ! l9e f ,london to ,worce/] 
& ,wolv]hampton1 & t f ,bri/ol to       
,birm+ham1 7 to be 9 ! same h&s1 & ^u ! 
same wide gauge1 z ! l9e n[ propos$     
?r\gh ,s\? ,wales4  ,! accommodation (  
,h]e=d%ire1 ,worce/]%ire1 ,s\? ,wales1 &
 ! important di/ricts ly+ to ! we/ ( !  

pres5t l9es ( ,railway1 w evid5tly1 at  
no di/ant p]iod1 require n only a       
wide-gauge ,railway along ! ,s\!rn coa/1
 to place !m 9 communication ) ,london1 
b also a n>r[-gauge ,railway to place !m
 9 direct & unbrok5 communication1 ?r\gh
 ,birm+ham1 ) ! manufactur+ di/ricts & !
 great ,railway sy/em ( ! re/ ( ! k+dom4
  ,! ext5sion ( su* a ,railway w\ld be  
greatly facilitat$ by ! e/abli%m5t ( !  
n>r[ gauge1 & ( an int]e/ indep5d5t ( ! 
,great ,we/]n1 9 ! ,worce/] di/rict1 &1 
on ! o!r h&1 w\ld be greatly imp$$ if t 
di/rict 7 assign$ to ! ,great ,we/]n    
int]e/ & to ! wide gauge4  ,9 respect   
!re=e ( ! g5]al "q ( monopoly1 x appe>s 
to u t no?+ w\ld be ga9$ by sub/itut+ t 
( ! ,great ,we/]n = t ( ! ,london &     
,birm+ham1 :i* is ! only alt]native2 at 
! same "t1 if ! latt] ,company _h %[n no
 disposition to meet ! fair dem&s ( !   
,public by a r$uction ( rates1 & to     
obviate ! objections ( monopoly by ! (f]
 ( reasonable gu>antees1 x might p]haps 
h become necess>y1 not)/&+ !            

disadvantages ( ! ,great ,we/]n s*eme1 9
 respect ( ! gauge & o!r po9ts1 to adopt
 ?is alt]native4  ,?is is1 h[ev]1 by no 
means ! case2 b1 on ! contr>y1 ! ,london
 & ,birm+ham ,company h come =w>d       
volunt>ily to (f] gu>antees & conditions
 ( a v advantage\s "*4  ,!y (f]1 on     
condition ( _! ,worce/] s*eme be+       
sanction$1 at once to meet ! objections 
( monopoly1 by ins]t+ 9 _! ,act ! foll[+
 provisions3  #a4  ,! :ole ( ! ,railways
 "u _! control1 includ+ ! exi/+ ,london 
& ,birm+ham ,railway1 to become subject 
to ! options ( revision & pur*ase       
conta9$ 9 ! ,act ( la/ ye>3 ! option (  
revision1 h[ev]1 at #aj p] c5t4 to      
accrue at an e>li] p]iod ?an t ( #bj    
ye>s1 specifi$ 9 ! ,act4  #b4  ,a revis$
 t>iff to be fram$ = ! :ole ( ! said    
,railways1 includ+ ! ,london & ,birm+ham
 ,railway1 ^u ! pr9ciple ( fix+ maximum 
rates = pass5g]s & goods l[] ?an ^? at  
pres5t *>g$1 & at z l[ a level z ^? *>g$
 ^u any ( ! pr9cipal ,nor!rn ,railways4 
#c4  ,"o article ( su* t>iff to be1 t   

coals & iron are to be c>ri$ at rates n 
exce$+ #a;d4 p] ton p] mile1 includ+    
toll & locomotive p[]4  #d4  ,all       
diff]5ces ) o!r ,railway ,companies1 by 
:i* ! public safety or conv5i5ce are    
affect$1 to be ref]r$ to ! ,bo>d (      
,trade1 or o!r compet5t au?ority = t    
purpose e/abli%$ by ,p>liam5t4  #f4  ,! 
,london & ,birm+ham ,company to pl$ge ! 
:ole rev5ue ( _! exi/+ l9e = !          
completion ( ! propos$ und]tak+ )9 a    
reasonable "t4  ,x appe>s to u t ^!     
gu>antees hold out = ! ,public a        
prospect ( p]man5t & c]ta9 advantage    
greatly beyond any?+ t c\ld be expect$ f
 ! competition ( two great ,companies1  
:o w\ld be urg$ by e motive ( int]e/ to 
comb9e4  ,we atta* ! greate/ importance 
to ! security obta9$ = ! *eap transit ( 
coals & m9]als4  ,n only w a great      
b5efit be !reby1 z we believe1 secur$ = 
! important m9]al di/ricts ( ,/af=d%ire 
& ! ,midl& ,c\nties1 b also a /ill m    
important b5efit = ! poor] & indu/ri\s  
classes1 & = ! consum]s ( coals g5]ally 

?r\gh\t ! ,s\!rn & ,we/]n ,c\nties1 & 9 
! ,metropolis4  ,! *>ge ( conveyance (  
coals by ,railway f ,s\? ,/af=d%ire or  
,d]by%ire to ,london w n exce$ #aas4 or 
#abs4 p] ton1 & x has be5 /at$ to u1 t1 
aft] paym5t ( all *>ges1 good h\se coals
 c\ld be sold "h1 ) a pr(it1 at prices n
 exce$+ #bjs4 p] ton4  ,dur+ ! rec5t    
fro/ & ea/]ly w9ds ! price ( coals 9    
,london has be5 z high z #djs4 p] ton2 &
 dur+ ! w9t] ! price frequ5tly exce$s   
#cjs4 = coals ( ord9>y quality4  ,:5 we 
consid] h[ mat]ially ! com=t ( all      
classes1 m especially ( ^? 9 humble     
circum/ances1 dep5ds on a regul> supply 
( *eap coal1 & also h[ mu* ! employm5t (
 indu/ry is affect$ by ! same           
circum/ances1 & :5 we be> 9 m9d t a sav+
 ( e %ill+ p] ton on ! av]age           
consumption ( ! ,metropolis is equival5t
 to an annual sav+ to its inhabitants ( 
#aej1jjjl41 x is impossible n to        
appreciate ! importance ( insur+ l[     
rates ( *>ge ^u ! pr9cipal ,railways :i*
 are 9 connexion ) ! great inl& coal    

fields4  ,9 o!r respects also we ?9k t !
 introduction ( a sy/em ( mod]ate *>ges 
^u ! ,london & ,birm+ham & its tribut>y 
,railways1 w be calculat$ to af=d great 
advantage to important comm]cial        
int]e/s1 & to ! community at l>ge1 :ile 
we see e reason to hope t x w n be      
unproductive ( b5efit to ! ,company     
itself4  ,we mu/ rememb]1 h[ev]1 t ?is  
latt] po9t is1 to a c]ta9 ext5t1        
exp]im5tal1 & t x is highly important to
 obta9 volunt>ily f ! ,company gu>antees
 ( a p]man5t "*4  ,x mu/ n be =gott5 t1 
)\t "s arrangem5t ( ?is sort1 !         
,company1 if s dispos$1 has a p]fect    
legal "r to resort to *>ges s high z    
greatly to inconv5i5ce ! ,public1 & t1  
"u an alt]$ /ate ( ?+s1 ) a depress$    
money-m>ket1 & all fe> ( imm$iate       
competition remov$1 x is by no means    
c]ta9 t x might n f9d x = its int]e/ to 
d s4  ,we h also ! au?ority ( ! ,select 
,committee ( la/ ,session = atta*+ great
 importance to ! prospective gu>antee1 =
 ! future1 9 ! %ape ( options ( revision

 or pur*ase1 :i* are n[ volunt>ily (f]$ 
by "o ( ! fir/ ,railway ,companies 9 !  
k+dom1 ^: l9e c\ld n be1 o!rwise ?an by 
_! own cons5t1 subject$ to ! op]ation ( 
any conditions n conta9$ 9 _! orig9al   
,act4  ,on ! :ole1 !re=e1 :5 we consid] 
on ! "o h& ! sup]ior advantages af=d$ by
 ! ,london & ,birm+ham s*eme 9 itself1 &
 by ! adoption ( ! n>r[ gauge1 & on !   
o!r ! great advantages (f]$ by ! ,london
 & ,birm+ham ,company1 9 connexion ) x1 
ov] _! :ole sy/em1 & ! ample gu>antees  
giv5 aga9/ any possible abuses (        
monopoly1 we c arrive at no o!r         
conclusion ?an t ! s*eme promot$ by t   
,company is pref]able on public gr\nds  
to ! compet+ s*eme1 :i* is inf]ior 9    
itself1 & :i* holds out no su* collat]al
 advantages4  ,hav+ already ref]r$ to ! 
,%rewsbury1 ,wolv]hampton1 ,dudley1 &   
,birm+ham s*eme1 z connect$1 9 a great  
measure1 ) ^? betwe5 ,worce/] &         
,wolv]hampton1 x w be conv5i5t to       
include ?is s*eme 9 ! pres5t ,report4   
,we h /at$ t ! g5]al "q involv$ 9 !     

comp>ison ( ?is s*eme ) ! compet+ l9e   
propos$ by ! ,gr& ,junction ,company is1
 t ! latt] jo9s ! ,gr& ,junction l9e at 
,wolv]hampton1 & ?us af=ds no           
accommodation to ! m9]al di/rict betwe5 
,wolv]hampton & ,birm+ham4  ,if ! views 
:i* we h /at$ 9 reg>d to ! importance ( 
op5+ up ?is di/rict by ,railway         
communication are correct1 ?is          
consid]ation alone is suffici5t to give 
a decid$ pref]5ce to ! m ext5d$ s*eme4  
,x also appe>s to u1 t to entru/ ! bran*
 to ,%rewsbury to ! ,gr& ,junction      
,company w\ld be op5 to ! objection :i* 
we h /at$ 9 our previ\s ,report ^u !    
,s\? ,ea/]n s*emes1 :5 discuss+ ! g5]al 
policy ( giv+ a pref]5ce to l9es propos$
 by exi/+ ,companies = ! accommodation (
 adjo9+ di/ricts1 viz4 t !re may be     
dang] 9 giv+ su* pref]5ce :]e ! s*eme   
propos$ by ! exi/+ ,company1 al?\gh     
insuffici5t = ! complete accommodation (
 ! di/rict to be provid$ =1 may yet be  
suffici5t to ?r[ imp$im5ts 9 ! way ( o!r
 p>ties com+ =w>d ) m ext5sive s*emes4  

,a l9e to ,%rewsbury1 9 ! h&s ( ! ,gr&  
,junction ,company1 w\ld manife/ly be n 
unlikely to be us$ = ! purposes (       
protection aga9/ competition1 r ?an (   
enc\ragem5t to ,ext5sions beyond        
,%rewsbury1 & to ! legitimate developm5t
 ( ! traffic4  ,x appe>s to u1 !re=e1 t1
 "u ! peculi> circum/ances ( ! case1 !  
fact ( ! ,%rewsbury & ,birm+ham l9e be+ 
promot$ by a sub/antial & indep5d5t     
local p>ty1 is a legitimate gr\nd (     
pref]5ce1 9 addition to t already po9t$ 
out1 ( ! sup]ior advantages af=d$ by !  
indep5d5t l9e to ! popul\s m9+ di/rict  
betwe5 ,wolv]hampton & ,birm+ham4  ,z   
reg>ds ! l9e betwe5 ,%rewsbury & ,/af=d1
 ( :i* plans & sections h likewise be5  
deposit$ by ! ,gr& ,junction ,company1 x
 appe>s suffici5t to say1 t al?\gh z a  
m]e l9e = ! t[n ( ,%rewsbury1 x might   
af=d consid]able advantages1 x          
accompli%es none ( ! m important        
advantages = ! di/rict at l>ge :i* are  
held out by ! l9e to ,birm+ham4  ,we are
 ( op9ion1 !re=e1 t ! latt] l9e is      

pref]able to all ! compet+ s*emes       
propos$1 ^u g5]al gr\nds ( public       
policy2 & we are aw>e ( no public       
reasons :y x %\ld n receive ! sanction (
 ,p>liam5t4  ,at ! same "t1 !re are     
po9ts ( detail connect$ ) x1 m          
especially z reg>ds ! mode ( pass+ ?r\gh
 ! t[n ( ,birm+ham1 & ( effect+ a       
junction ) ! ,london & ,birm+ham        
,railway1 to :i* we ?9k t ! att5tion (  
,p>liam5t %\ld be especially direct$4   
,) reg>d to ! fir/ po9t1 x dep5ds to a  
great ext5t ^u consid]ations ( private  
prop]ty1 :i* we are preclud$ f ent]ta9+2
 b ) reg>d to ! second po9t1 x appe>s to
 u ( ! greate/ importance t provision   
%\ld be made = an un9t]rupt$ & conv5i5t 
junction 9 ,birm+ham betwe5 ! project$  
l9e & t ( ! ,london & ,birm+ham         
,railway4  99 99 99 99 99  ,9           
conclusion1 we beg to draw att5tion to !
 passage ( ! ,fif? ,report ( ! ,select  
,committee ( la/ ye>1 9 :i* x is /at$1 9
 recomm5d+ t ,reports %\ld be made to   
,p>liam5t by ?is dep>tm5t ^u ,railway   

,s*emes1 ,t no su* ,report %\ld be held 
to prejudice ! claims ( private p]sons1 
! exam9ation ( :i* %\ld be altoge!r     
res]v$ to ! ,h\ses ( ! ,legislature4  ,9
 submitt+ to ,p>liam5t1 9 con=mity ) !  
recomm5dations ( t ,committee1 ! results
 at :i* we h arriv$1 ) a view to !      
in=mation & assi/ance ( ,p>liam5t 9 =m+ 
a judgm5t ^u ! s*emes 9 "q1 9 s f> z our
 ,report may be available = t purpose1  
we are anxi\s t x %\ld be di/9ctly      
und]/ood t we h arriv$ at ^! results    
solely ^u public gr\nds1 & to !         
exclusion ( all consid]ations h[ f> su* 
results might require to be modifi$ by a
 due reg>d = private rights & int]e/s4  
,,dalh\sie4  ,c4 ,w4 ,,pasley4  ,g4 ,r4 
,,port]4  ,d4 ,o',,bri54  ,s4 ,,la+4  99
 99 99 99 99  ,,railways4  ,,map ,,( ,,!
 ,,sev]al ,,project$ ,,railways1 ,,9 ,,!
 ,,worce/]1 ,,wolv]hampton1 c1          
,,division4  7,broad & ,n>r[ ,gauges47  
,,ref]r$ ,,to ,,9 ,,!  ,,report ( !     
,,railway ,,dep>tm5t ( ! ,,bo>d (       
,,trade on ! ,,london1 ,,worce/]1 ,,&   

,,wolv]hampton1 & on ! ,,birm+ham ,,&   
,,%rewsbury ,,di/ricts4  ,ord]$1 by ,!  
,h\se ( ,commons1 to be ,pr9t$1 #bh     
,febru>y #ahde4