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introductory paragraph
[[File:Loop Line specification and contract cover.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Front cover of the specification]]
The GWR issued the '''Specification for construction of the Loop Line between Kidderminster and Bewdley''' in September 1874.
:''Main article: [[Kidderminster Loop Line]]''
This transcript of the original document, held by The National Archives, preserves the inconsistent spelling and capitalisation (labour/labor, colour/color, moneys/monies, Works/works) and lack of punctuation. Unfortunately, no known copies of the drawings referred to exist.
==Timeline==
The powers to construct a Loop Line between Kidderminster and Bewdley were first granted by the West Midland and Severn Valley Companies Act of 1 August 1861. The two named companies were subsequently absorbed by the GWR who were reluctant to buil the Loop, and no progress had been made by the time those powers expired in 1865. The GWR Act of 31 July 1868 revived those powers for a further 5 years, later extended for 2 more years by the GWR Act of 18 July 1872. Completion was therefore due no later than July 1875. The GWR had already sought leave for a further extension before issuing the specification in September 1874, in which Clause 2 stated that the work was to be completed by 31 October 1875. The GWR Act of 19 July 1875 duly granted a further 2 year extension, with a revised deadline for completion of 18 July 1877.<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Marshall (1989)]] pp. 58,62,81.</ref>
The Contractor who was appointed in November 1874 was Charles Dickinson. By March 1877 much of the work on was complete, although adverse weather had caused delays. Although it was likely to overrun, the GWR did not make a further application for an extension to the July deadline. Construction of the Loop was completed in time for a Board of Trade inspection on 22 March 1878. A further Board of Trade inspection on 29 May authorised the opening of the Loop, and the first public services began on 1 June 1878<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Marshall (1989)]] p. 83.</ref>.
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==Specification and Contract==
<div style="background:#fcfcfc; border-style:solid; border-width:2px; border-color:#895920; margin:20px 10px; padding:5px;">
{|
| style="vertical-align:top; width: 20%;" | ||style="text-align:center;" |'''Specification of Works'''
|-
| || to be done in constructing the railway (intended for a single line of railway) authorised by "The West Midland and Severn Valley Railway Companies Act 1864" "The Great Western Railway Act 1868" and "The Great Western Railway Act 1872" commencing in the Foreign of Kidderminster in the Parish of Kidderminster in the County of Worcester by a junction with the Severn Valley Line of the Great Western Railway at or near the Bewdley Station and terminating in the foreign Parish and County aforesaid by a junction with the West Midland Line of the Great Western Railway at or near the Kidderminster Station with all works and conveniences connected therewith.<p>
|-
| || style="text-align:center;" |'''General Specification'''
*[[Kidderminster Loop Line]]
*[[Railway Navvies of the SVR]]
==References==
<references/>
