Catalogue description Cheshire Lines Committee

A Cheshire Lines Joint Committee was set up in 1863 by the Great Northern Railway Company and the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Company by act of 5th July 1865. In 1865 the Midland Railway Company also joined the committee which was incorporated as a separate undertaking in 1867, under control of these three companies, as the Cheshire Lines Committee. In 1921 the management passed to the London and North Eastern Railway in association with the London Midland and Scottish Railway. Under the Transport Act, 1947 the committee passed to the British Transport Commission.

The Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway became Great Central Railway under act of 1897.

From date of first meeting, 5th November 1863, the committee was known as Cheshire Lines Joint Committee and was formed of representatives of Great Northern and Manchester, and Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railways only. In 1865, Midland Railway Company combined with them. By act of 15th August 1867, the committee was incorporated as a separate undertaking, under control of these companies, by name of the Cheshire Lines Committee.

The undertaking was left out of the grouping authorised by Railways Act of 1921 and continued as a separate company managed by a joint committee of six representatives of London and North Eastern Railway, and three of London Midland and Scottish Railway, with authorised capital in proportions of two thirds by London & North Eastern Railway and one third by London Midland & Scottish Railway. The committee passed to British Transport Commission under the Transport Act of 1947.