List of railway companies involved in the 1923 grouping facts for kids

In 1923, a big change happened for railways in Great Britain! Many different railway companies joined together to form just four large ones. These four companies were often called the Big Four. This change was part of a law called the Railways Act 1921. It meant that instead of lots of small companies, there were now four giant railway networks covering most of the country.

The Big Four Railway Companies

The four main railway companies that were formed in 1923 were:

• Great Western Railway (GWR)

* This company mainly covered the west of England and Wales. It was formed from the original Great Western Railway and several smaller lines like the Barry Railway and Taff Vale Railway.

• London and North Eastern Railway (LNER)

* The LNER served the east coast of England and Scotland. It was created from companies such as the Great Northern Railway, Great Eastern Railway, and North Eastern Railway.

• London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS)

* The LMS was the largest of the four. It covered the Midlands, the North West of England, and much of Scotland. It brought together huge companies like the London and North Western Railway and the Midland Railway. Some railway lines in Northern Ireland that were owned by these companies also became part of the LMS.

• Southern Railway (SR)

* This company operated in the south of England, including lines to popular holiday spots and ports. It was formed from companies like the London and South Western Railway and the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway.

Each of these "Big Four" companies was made up of many smaller railway lines that used to be independent. For example, the LMS alone was formed from over 100 different companies! This made managing the railways much simpler.

Railways Not Part of the Big Four

Even though most railways joined the "Big Four," some companies remained independent. These were often:

• Joint Railways: These lines were owned by two or more companies. If the owners didn't all join the same "Big Four" group, the joint line stayed separate. For example, the Cheshire Lines Committee was owned by companies that ended up in both the LNER and LMS groups.
• Electric and Underground Lines: Many electric railways, especially those in big cities like London's Underground (like the Central London Railway or District Railway), were not included. The Metropolitan Railway in London, which used both steam and electric trains, also stayed independent.
• Smaller or Special Railways: Some very small railways, like "light railways" or narrow-gauge lines (which have tracks closer together than standard tracks), were also left out. These were often used for local transport or specific industries. Examples include the Ffestiniog Railway and the Talyllyn Railway.
• Railways Outside Great Britain: The law that created the "Big Four" only applied to Great Britain. So, railways in places like Ireland or the Isle of Man were not affected unless they were already owned by one of the British companies.

Why Group the Railways?

After World War I, many railway companies were struggling financially. The government decided that grouping them into larger, more efficient companies would help them recover and provide better service for passengers and goods across the country. This change helped shape the railway system we know today.

See also

• History of rail transport in Great Britain
• Rail transport in Great Britain