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Loop Line specification and contract

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[[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]]''
The GWR issued the specification for construction of the Loop Line between Kidderminster and Bewdley in September 1874.
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 build 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 on 28 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==
 
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{|
| style="vertical-align:top; width: 20%;" | ||style="text-align:center;" |'''Specification of Works'''
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| || to be done in constructing the railway Railway (intended for a single line of railwayRailway) authorised authorized by "The West Midland and Severn Valley Railway Companies Act 18641861" "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 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 Junction with the West Midland Line of the Great Western Railway at or near the Kidderminster Station , with all works Works and conveniences Conveniences connected therewith.
|-
| || style="text-align:center;" |'''General Specification.'''
|-
| style="vertical-align:top; width: 20%;" | 1. The contractor Contractor to execute all works <br><br><br><br><br><br>To supply all materials &c || The contractor Contractor shall , to the satisfaction of the Engineer in a workmanlike substantial and lasting manner construct and execute all the Works herein mentioned and specified or referred to whether temporary or permanent including all contingent and incidental works and shall construct and execute all the said Worksrespectively as delineated on the Drawings enumerated herein, and in the manner and according to the directions and provisions herein respectively as delineated on the Drawings enumerated herein after mentioned specified or referred to or in any detailed or modified Specifications Drawings Plans Sections or written instructions which may from time to time be given to the Contractors Contractor by the Engineer, and in and for the construction and execution of the said works, the Contractor shall provide and supply all the materials plant articles and things which according to this specification Specification are to be provided by the Contractor or which may be requisite or proper for the due performance of the works and of all the kinds descriptions and qualities specified in or to be inferred from this Specification and the Drawings or from any detailed Specification Plans Drawings Sections or written instructions as aforesaid of the best and most proper kinds or descriptions respectively to the satisfaction of the Engineer, and shall also find and provide all labour tools plant and machinery requisite or proper for the due performance of the work, and in executing the same shall perform fulfil obey and abide by all the directions provisions terms and conditions of this Specification and the Drawings and of any such detailed Specifications and written instructions as aforesaid and shall be subject to the several liabilities and obligations in case of default herein mentioned it being the intention of these Presents that the Contractor shall do execute and provide in accordance with this Specification everything requisite or proper for the entire performance of the said Works.
|-
| style="vertical-align:top;" | 2. Contract includes all materials &c<br><br>Except permanent way<br><br>Time for completion || The Works comprised in the Contract include earth work in every variety of material whether in soft earth or rock, all fences temporary and permanent, all brick, stone, timber and iron -work and all work materials material and labour of every description necessary for the constructions construction and completion of the respective Railways up to the formation level, ; the providing and laying thereon of the ballast and also the laying of the permanent way (the materials of which are provided by the Company) and the delivery of the whole of the said works in a complete and perfect condition to the Company on or before the 31st day of October 1875.
|-
| style="vertical-align:top;" | 3. Contractor not to interfere with conveniences of the adjoining properties &c || The Contractor shall not in carrying out the works interfere with the free and uninterrupted use by the respective Proprietors of any of the Railways, Canals, Watercourses, Roads or other conveniences adjoining or near the new Railway , and shall perform all temporary or permanent works, such as alterations, diversions or substitutions which may be necessary to secure the same.
|-
| style="vertical-align:top;" | 5. “Engineer” || Whenever the word "Engineer" occurs herein it shall be taken as meaning [[Edward Wilson]]<ref group="note">GWR Engineer Edward Wilson was previously Locomotive and Permanent Way Engineer for the [[Oxford Worcester and Wolverhampton Railway]] and later the [[West Midland Railway]]In 1864 Wilson he established his own practice, Edward Wilson & Co, and worked on projects for a number of railway companies, including the GWR. He died on 26 August 1877; resident Engineer Mr Tyrell saw the project through to completion.</ref> of 9 . Deans Yard Westminster or in case of his death incapacity or removal the Engineer in Chief for the time being of the Company.
|-
| style="vertical-align:top;" | 6. “Contractor” || The word "Contractor" shall be taken to apply equally to all and each of the Partners of a firm (if any) entering into a contract with the said Company or to any single individual making such Contract.
|-
| style="vertical-align:top;" | 7. “Authority” || “Authority” or “orders in writing” , and all expressions to that effect , shall apply to any printed or written Documents signed by the Secretary or Engineer of the Company whether such documents be letters notices drawings or sketches.
|-
| style="vertical-align:top;" | 8. Company to deliver lands to Contractor || The Company will from time to time deliver to the Contractor so much of the lands Lands required for the works as shall in the opinion of Engineer be sufficient for the commencement by the Contractor of such work works respectively and will from time to time deliver to the Contractor possession of the residue of the land Land required in such pieces or parcels as the Engineer may think proper and sufficient for the due completion of the said works within the period to which the Contractor is limited by the Contract.
|-
| style="vertical-align:top;" | 10. Contractor to maintain the works during progress<br>And indemnify company from damage to roads &c<br><br>And from failure from bad workmanship &c for 12 months || The Contractor shall during the progress of the respective works maintain and keep the same in good and compete condition and working order and repair and reinstate all injuries and damages thereto however caused and shall also bear and pay and indemnify the Company from and against all damages loss penalties costs and expenses which they may sustain or be put to by reason of the death of or injury to any person or persons whomsoever occasioned by the Construction of the works Works or arising from any act or default of the Contractor or which may result from the stoppage of traffic on any Railway, Canal, road or public thoroughfare or from or through the stoppage of any watercourse and if within the period of twelve months from the completion of the work and acceptance thereof by the Engineer any failure should arise from bad workmanship or defective materials (excepting the permanent way materials) or should any defect or deficiency be discovered in the works or should any damages damage be thereby occasioned to any person or persons or to Railways Canals watercourses lands roads footpaths drains telegraphs or sewers or any other matter or thing the Contractor shall forthwith at his own expense remedy and make good any such failure or defect and shall indemnify the Company against all liabilities claims and demands whatsoever by or on the part of any person or persons whomsoever who may sustain damage or inconvenience from or whose interests may be affected by any such failures defects or deficiencies.
|-
| style="vertical-align:top;" | 17. To provide materials, Labor, etc. || The Contractor shall at his own cost provide all materials (except those which are in Clause 19 specially excluded) labor, tools, watchmen, lighting, temporary fencing, shoring, centreingcentering, coffer dams, sewers, drains, pumping, scaffolding, horses, engines, waggons, barrows, planks, temporary rails, temporary bridges, roads, machinery, implements of every sort and all temporary works of every description necessary for the public safety of fulfilment of any legal obligation arising out of the construction of the said Works and the proper and entire completion of the works on or before the 31st day of October 1875.
|-
| style="vertical-align:top;" | 43. Imperfect work to be taken down and removed<br><br>To be executed properly<br><br>Without extra charge or extension of time<br><br>Company may cause imperfect works to be removed || In case the Engineer shall at any time during the progress of the said works be of opinion that any part of said works is being executed unsoundly or imperfectly, or not with proper materials, or in any respect not in accordance with the Specification, drawings plans or other instructions respectively, given by the Engineer to the Contractor, or shall at any time after the completion of the said works and during any period referred to in Clause 10 be of opinion that any works done by the Contractor have been executed unsoundly or improperly or not with proper materials or have become unsound, or imperfect by reason of accident or from any cause not being the act or default of the Company and in ase case the Engineer shall thereupon give the Contractor a notice in writing requiring him cause such part of the said works to be taken down and removed and to be re-executed properly, and with proper materials according to the Specification, drawings, plans, or other instructions then the Contractor shall forthwith comply with such notice, and do the several matters and things thereby required of him to the satisfaction of the Engineer without any extra charge and without any extension of the period for teh the completion of the said works in respect thereof, notwithstanding that before the giving of such notice any payment may have been made by the Company on account of such works so objected to, or any Certificate may have been given by the Engineer of the due execution thereof. And in case the Contractor shall not within ten days after the receipt of such notice have duly complied therewith and executed the works thereby required or commenced and diligently proceeded with the same, the Company shall be entitled to cause the works so objected to, to be taken down and removed and to be executed properly and with proper materials and for that purpose to expend such sum as as the Engineer may consider reasonable and proper and to recover the money so paid from the Contractor in manner provided by Article 46.
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| style="vertical-align:top;" | 51. Penalty for delay incompletion in completion || The Contractor shall complete the whole of the works comprised in this Contract to the satisfaction of the Engineer on or before the 31st day of October 1875 and for every days delay in so completing the works he shall forfeit to the company by way of ascertained and liquidated damages, the sum of Twenty pounds.
A drain shall be made in each side of the Railway on top of cuttings and at foot of embankments as shewn on Drawing No 4 of such depth as effectually to carry off all water but in no case shall it be less than 18 inches in depth and of the proper slope and form as shewn on the drawings and whenever it intersects cross drains the water from such cross drains shall be properly carried into it and it shall be well puddled opposite all such cross drains.
All wrought fencing shall have four coats of best oil paint the last coat of such color as the Engineer may direct. The posts of approach fencing shall be of English Oak 6 ft 6 in by 4 in and when firmly fixed in the ground it shall stand 4 feet above the surface, the distance from centre to centre of post to be 6 feet. The rails shall be three in number made of best red wood teh the top rail being 4 inch square set on edge in a birds mouth cut in the top of the post and firmly secured to the post by an iron strap 15" long on each side by 2" wide by one eigth eighth of an inch in thickness. The rails shall be continuous and in lengths of not less than 18 feet properly scarfed and jointed on the top of the post – The other two sails rails shall be 3½ inches deep by 2 inch thick well and securely morticed into the post – The whole of the posts and sails rails to be planed and wrought truly square
| | ||style="text-align:center;" |'''Occupation Road Field and Footpath Gates'''<br>'''Drawing Nº5'''
|-
| || The hanging and closing posts shall be of sound English oak free from sap sawn die square above ground neatly chamfered on the edges and rounded on the top – The gates shall be of sound red wood fir free from sap shakes or flaws of the dimensions given in the drawing the whole planed and wrought truly square – The tenons and mortices shall be well and truly fitted together and when put together the joints shall be made ?? with white lead and secured with an oak pin All the ironwork shall be neatly forged and finished off – The whole of the gates to have four coats of best oil paint the last coat being of such colour as the Engineer may direct – Each occupation and field gate shall be provided with a good galvanized padlock keys and chain and with a notice board with the usual notice painted on it The occupation and field gates shall be hung so that they will close themselves and have a spring or catch to fasten to the closing post.
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| ||style="text-align:center;" | '''Ballasting'''
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| || After the work of excavation and embanking shall have been completed the Contractor shall remove all temporary railway meterials materials and ballast and shall clean up and perfect the formation and drainage according to the drawings, and when the formation shall have thus been properly prepared and approved by the Engineer the bottom ballast shall be laid down to the thickness of one foot and to the width & form shewn on the enlarged cross section of the line. It shall consist of strong blast furnace cinders slag rough gravel or rock broken to a size capable of passing through a 4 inch ring or such hard and dry material as the Engineer may approve. The permanent way shall then be laid and securely packed up and boxed, the top ballast being of the same material as the bottom ballast but broken to pass through a 2 inch ring No sand will be allowed to be used on any consideration whatever nor material containing any admixture of clay or soil.
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| || The bricks shall be good hard sound well shaped and thoroughly burnt bricks all of uniform size and of uniform color in the face of the work, and picked bricks shall be used for facework, copings, string courses &c. No difference of workmanship will be allowed in the inside and outside work and every brick shall be well saturated with water before set in place, the whole of the work shall be flushed up solid with mortar every course and all the outside joints shall be neatly pointed and drawn and no joint shall exceed one fourth of an inch in thickness.
All Brickwork shall be of old English bond throughout unless otherwise ordered by the Engineer and all parts of the work shall be throroughly [sic] thoroughly bonded together. No broken bricks or pieces will be allowed to be used except what is necessary to form proper bond. Dry filling to be rough broken stone or rough screened gravel.
Brick arches shall be built in rings with the hardest selected bricks and properly bonded with a header course when any two rings form a fair radiating joint to the centre.
The courses of bricks in the arch shall be gauged and masked on the laggins over the whole length of the centre before any bricks will be permitted to be laid in the arched.
| || Post and rail fence with quick set edge and ditch || per linear yard || - || 1 || 8
|-
| || Excavation for line carried to embankment including soiling and sowing slopes & not being in close rock of any lead <ref group="note">"Lead" in this context refers to the distance between an excavation (typically a cutting or tunnel) and the point where the soil and rock is deposited (typically an embankment).</ref> || per cubic yard || - || - || 10
|-
| || Excavation as above but in closed close rock of any lead || style="text-align:center;" | " &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; " &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; " || - || 1 || 9
|-
| || Excavation for tunnel carried to embankment and being almost entirely in close rock of any lead || style="text-align:center;" | " &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; " &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; " || - || 5 || -
|-
| || Embankment for forming raised road approaches including soiling and sowing slopes || style="text-align:center;" | " &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; " &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; " || - || 1 || -
|-
| || Ballasting for Permanent Way || style="text-align:center;" | " &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; " &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; " || - || 1 || -
|-
| || Laying the Permanent Way || style="text-align:center;" | per linear yard || - || 1 || -
|-
| || Concrete in place || style="text-align:center;" | per cubic yard || - || 7 || -
|-
| || Coursed rubble including hammer dressed quions &c || style="text-align:center;" | " &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; " &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; " || - || 10 || 6
|-
| || Brickwork including centering for arches || style="text-align:center;" | " &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; " &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; " || 1 || 1 || -
|-
| || Brick lining to tunnel || style="text-align:center;" | " &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; " &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; " || 1 || 5 || -
|-
| || Ashlar in arch quions string copings &c || style="text-align:center;" | per cubic foot || - || 2 || 6
|-
| || Blue brick coping set in Cement 14 ins wide || style="text-align:center;" | per linear yard || - || 3 || -
|-
| || Timber in sheet piling wales &c shod & driver<ref group="note">"Wales" are horizontal timber used to reinforce the piling. "Shod & driver" refers to metal end caps on the pilings to stop them splitting as they are driven in.</ref> || style="text-align:center;" | per cubic foot || - || 4 || -
|-
| || Dry stone pitching 8" thick || style="text-align:center;" | per sup. yard || - || 3 || -
|-
| || Asphalte 3/4" thick || style="text-align:center;" | " &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; " &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; " || - || 3 || 6
|-
| || Metalling roads || style="text-align:center;" | per cubic yard || - || 3 || -
|-
| || Drain pipes (glazed) 12 ins diam. || style="text-align:center;" | per linear yard || - || 3 || -
|-
|}
{|
|-
| style="width: 20%;" | ||style="text-align:center;" |'''Tender'''
|-
| || I Charles Dickinson of 117 Brixton Road London Contractor hereby undertake to provide all the materials and labor and to execute all the work required for the construction and entire completion (except the providing of the Permanent Way materials) of the Bewdley and Kidderminster Branch of the Great Western Railway referred to in the annexed Specification and according to all the requirements and upon the terms and conditions of the said Specification and within the period therein named and for the gross sum of £ Thirty nine thousand eight hundred pounds.
And I agree to the prices contained in the foregoing Schedule of Prices as those by which the value of any increase or diminution of the Contract Work is to be ascertained for the purpose of payment or deduction and generally as the prices to be used in the manner stated in the Specification.
 
And I also undertake to execute a Contract Deed to this effect and to enter into a Bond myself and to provide two good and satisfactory Sureties severally and to the joint amount of £6000 conditioned for the due completion of the Contract according to the Specification.
 
|-
|}
==Notes==
<references group="note"/>
 
==See also==
*[[Kidderminster Loop Line]]
*[[Railway Navvies of the SVR]]
==References==
<references/>
 
==Links==
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Wilson_(engineer) Edward Wilson on Wikipedia]
 
[[Category:The Severn Valley Railway under GWR/BR ownership]]

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