Catalogue description North Union Railway Company

An amalgamation of Wigan Branch Railway and Preston and Wigan Railway. Wigan Branch Railway was incorporated on 29th May 1830, and Preston and Wigan Railway on 22nd April 1831.

Wigan Branch Railway entered into a Working Agreement with Liverpool and Manchester Railway on 9th August 1832. This was first Railway Agreement ever to be entered into. Wigan Branch Railway was also first to prescribe distance of 6 ft between running railways - "the 6 ft way".

By act of 22nd May 1834 (4 & 5 Wm IV, cap.25), the companies were united to form North Union Railway Company. This was first Railway Amalgamation in the world.

With this company was afterwards incorporated Bolton and Preston Railway Company, by Act 7 & 8 Vic, cap.2 (1844).

By virtue of act dated 27th July 1846, North Union Railway Company was vested in Grand Junction and Manchester and Leeds railway companies for an annuity of £66,063.18s. in proportions of 60 ninety fourth parts to be paid by Grand Junction Railway Company and 34 ninety fourth parts by Manchester and Leeds Railway Company, to be divided by North Union Railway Company among proprietors of their A and B Consolidated Stocks.

Under London and North Western Railway Act of 7th August 1888 Section 60, North Union Railway Company was dissolved as from 1st July in that year and stockholders were issued 4% debenture stock of London and North Western Railway Company to produce 60 ninety fourth parts of income received at date of dissolution and 4% debenture stock of Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company to produce remaining 34 ninety fourth parts income.