London and Birmingham Railway, 1830-1832

Scope and Content

Manuscript items relating to the proposed London and Birmingham Railway, 1830-1833, as follows.
1. Copy of an estimate by John Sinclair, civil engineer of Hartshill, Atherstone, of a railway between Coventry and Birmingham, dated 21 March 1832. (2 leaves. 12¾" x 8").
2. Notes on the projected route of the London and Birmingham Railway, from a plan 'deposited with the Clerk of the Peace', 1830. (4 leaves. 9" x 8").
3. List of cuttings, tunnels and other works on the railway line between London and Birmingham, [1830]. (2 leaves. 10" x 7¾").

Administrative / Biographical History

The London and Birmingham Railway was sanctioned in 1833, and the Company appointed Robert Stephenson as chief engineer. Its construction was dogged by much opposition. The 112 mile long London to Birmingham line took 20,000 men nearly five years to build. The total cost of building the railway was £5,500,000 (£50,000 a mile). The railway was opened in stages and finally completed on 17 September 1838. The line started at Birmingham's Curzon Street Station and finished at Euston Station in London.

Access Information

Access to this collection is unrestricted for the purpose of private study and personal research within the supervised environment and restrictions of the Library's Palaeography Room. Uncatalogued material may not be seen. Please contact the University Archivist for details.

Acquisition Information

These three items are numbered 7, 9 and 10 respectively in a Goldsmiths' Library volume lettered 'London and Birmingham Railway', which also contains printed material.

Other Finding Aids

Collection level description.

Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

As given in the Scope and Content.

Archivist's Note

Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project.

Separated Material

Further material relating to the London and Birmingham Railway Company may be found at the Public Record Office, London, Salford University Library, Bristol University Library and the National Railway Museum at York.

Conditions Governing Use

Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original. Copying must be undertaken by the Palaeography Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.

Related Material

University of London MS 940 also relates to the London and Birmingham Railway.