ABSTRACT

Originally published in 1968, and using official records, this book charts the history of the Railway Clearing House and shows the vital role it played in the development of British railways and the growth of the economy. The Clearing House established a common classification of goods; standardized signalling systems and telegraphic codes among the 120 railway companies which operated in Britain before the First World War. It was the nerve centre of the railway for nearly a century and at one time more than 2,500 clerks were employed in its huge offices near Euston Station in London.

chapter Chapter I|18 pages

The Transport Bottlenecks Before 1842

chapter Chapter II|15 pages

The Foundation of the Railway Clearing House

chapter Chapter III|14 pages

The Passenger Traffic

chapter Chapter IV|28 pages

The Goods Traffic

chapter Chapter V|30 pages

The Parcels Traffic

The Clearing House and the GPO

chapter Chapter VI|30 pages

The Organisation of the Clearing House

chapter Chapter VII|24 pages

The Clearing House Staff

The Clerks

chapter Chapter VIII|14 pages

The Clearing House Staff

The Number Takers

chapter Chapter IX|33 pages

Standardisation

Rolling Stock and Locomotives

chapter Chapter X|29 pages

Standardisation

Railway Operation

chapter Chapter XI|19 pages

Pooling Agreements and Rate Conferences

chapter Chapter XII|23 pages

The Railway Clearing House in Wartime and After