Catalogue description East London Railway Company: Records

The East London Railway Company was incorporated under act of 26th May 1865.

Under East London Railway Act 10th August 1882, East London Railway Company was authorised to construct new railway at Whitechapel for connecting its system with those of Metropolitan, and Metropolitan District railway companies. On completion of line, East London Railway Company was to grant leases in perpetuity of their undertaking to London, Brighton & South Coast; South Eastern; London, Chatham & Dover; Metropolitan; and Metropolitan District railway companies.

Under Sections 45 & 46 of act, East London Railway was to be maintained and manned by Brighton Company on behalf of a joint committee formed of two representatives appointed by East London (and other railway companies above mentioned) for purposes of managing and controlling East London Railway.

First meeting of Joint Committee, as such, appears to be that of 1st October 1884 on which date first trains commenced to run, though only empty as an experiment until Monday, 6th October 1884, when Inner Circle and Whitechapel Extension would be opened for conveyance of passengers.

East London Railway Company was transferred to and vested in Southern Railway under Section 46 of Southern Railway Act of 1925, but sections 56 and 57 contain provisions as to lease of line to Southern; Metropolitan; Metropolitan District; and London & North Eastern railway companies. This joint committee passed to British Transport Commission under Transport Act 1947.