Changes

The [[The Severn Valley Railway under GWR/BR ownership|Severn Valley Railway]] was proposed to build a line from a junction south of Hartlebury, this later being moved past Hartlebury as a cost-saving measure. The OW&W was heavily involved with the Severn Valley Railway despite nominally being independent companies, with several directors holding positions in both companies, and the OW&W's Engineer John <noglossary>Fowler </noglossary> being appointed as the SVR's engineer in 1855. The OW&W formally agreed to lease the SVR on 14 June 1860, shortly before OW&W merged with the Newport, Abergavenny & Hereford Railway and the Worcester & Hereford Railway, forming the [[West Midland Railway]] on 1 July 1860.