The Great Eastern Railway, The Late 19th and Early 20th Century, 1862–1924

This is the second volume of the history of the Great Eastern Railway from 1811 to 1924. This volume covers from 1862 when the Great Eastern Railway was formed to 1924 when with the absorption of the Colne Valley and Halstead Railway and the Mid Suffolk Light Railway into the LNER, the cessation of locomotive building at Stratford and the departure of the Company’s last General Manager, Sidney Parnwell the GER could finally be said to exist.

The history covers many things including the building and the subsequent expansion of Liverpool Street station and the development of the extensive suburban system. The Company’s attempts to gain direct access to the northern coal fields which resulted in the formation of the Great Northern and Great Eastern Joint Line is mentioned as is the abortive proposed working union with the Great Northern and the Great Central railways.

Relations with London, Tilbury and Southend Railway including the battle for the Southend traffic from 1911 are dealt with, as is the effect of Midland Railway takeover of that Railway.

How the GER dealt with the threat of electric tube railways at the turn of the 20th century receives attention as do the abortive proposals in 1918 for the electrification of the Company’s suburban services.