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Document Summary
Railways Act 1921 3.6Mb
Sample Quote
"1.-(1) With a view to the reorganization and more efficient and economical working of the railway system of Great Britain railways shall be formed into groups in accordance with the provisions of this Act, and the principal railway companies in each group shall be amalgamated, and other companies absorbed in manner provided by this Act."
Archivist's Summary
The so-called 'grouping' Act was enacted by the Government to stem the losses being made by a large portion of the 120 railway companies, move the railways away from internal competition, and retain some of the benefits which the country had derived from a government-controlled railway during the Great War.
This act created the 'big four' railway companies - Southern Railway (SR), Great Western Railway (GWR), London, Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS), and the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) - from the hundred-odd that had previously existed.
The Act also codified standard charging rates with the establishment of the Railway Rates Tribunal.Please note that this Act is presented in its original form as passed. This Act may have been amended by subsequent legislation. For details of amendments please see the UK Statute Law Database at www.statutelaw.gov.uk.