The Severn Valley Railway Company (19th Century)
Following the failure of the Shropshire Union Railways and Canal Company to proceed with their proposed railway in the Severn Valley, a number of interested parties engaged Robert Nicholson to carry out another survey in 1849.[1] This led to the establishment of the Severn Valley Railway Company ("the Company") which was formed in 1852, although not officially incorporated until 1853. It was responsible for building the Railway from 1858 through to opening in February 1862. Although the Railway was operated from opening by the West Midland Railway ("WMR") and subsequently by the GWRGreat Western Railway from August 1863, the Company retained a separate identity until it was fully amalgamated into the GWRGreat Western Railway on 1 July 1872.
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1852
The plans for the SU's proposed railway, drawn up by Robert Stephenson in 1846, had started from a station in Worcester. By 1852 the OWWOxford Worcester and Wolverhampton Railway had been planned, so Nicholson proposed a shorter route starting from a connection with the OWWOxford Worcester and Wolverhampton Railway south of Hartlebury. To avoid the opposition of Thomas Whitmore, owner of the Apley Park Estate, Nicholson’s route crossed the Severn at Quatford, south of Bridgnorth and proceeded through the Low Town. It then passed east of the Apley estate before joining the Madeley Branch of the Shrewsbury and Birmingham Railway.
On 26 June 1852, an article appeared in Herepath's Journal announcing the proposed formation of the company to construct the Severn Valley Railway. The advertisement confirmed that a preliminary survey had been carried out and listed Whitmore among the sponsors.[2]
The first meeting of the Board took place on 25 August 1852, at which it was proposed to form a company to be called the Severn Valley Railway Company. Seven Directors were appointed, of whom the Chairman Jonathan Thorp and two others were also directors of the OWWOxford Worcester and Wolverhampton Railway. Robert Nicholson was named Engineer. An Act of Parliament would be required to incorporate the Company and authorise the construction of the line.[3]
At a second meeting on 6 September a decision was taken to hold public meetings at Ironbridge, Bewdley and Bridgnorth to gauge support. These were arranged for 7, 8 and 9 October. A notice of the meetings in the Worcestershire Chronicle and Provincial Railway Gazette expressed hope that the new Severn Valley Railway "...stands on a more secure foundation than the last of that name, projected in 1847, the bills for advertising which are we believe unpaid to this day and likely to remain so."[2]
The public meetings were in favour of extending the line to Shrewsbury rather than Madeley and on 13 October 1852 the Board resolved to do so. The new route would mean passing close to Apley Hall, which led Whitmore to oppose the revised plan and instead support a rival and ultimately unsuccessful proposal, the Shrewsbury, Ironbridge and Bridgnorth Railway. The notice of intended application for an Act to incorporate the Severn Valley Railway Company and authorise the construction of the line was published on 2 November 1852[2].
See also
References
- ↑ Marshall (1989) p. 20.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Marshall (1989), pp 20-24
- ↑ Nabarro (1971) p. 15.
