Dear List,
Most books seem to suggest that the railways brought cheap coal, but while trying to find an answer to how the small coal mines in the Yorkshire dales remained in operation until the early 20th century, I found that the North Eastern Railway Company was operation a monopoloy.
In 1853 the Northern-Eastern was formed with the?amalgamation of the Thirsk and Leeds lines.
Prices of Coal at Richmond Station had been 8s per ton, but after the amalgamation it was 14s per ton. The company were forcing to people to either pay their price at the station (as coal merchants), or only supplied coal to, approved merchants who agreed to sell at the price set by the railway/coal owners. In the case of Richmond, supplies?were brought from Shincliffe Colliery.
The monopoly also had the effect of rerducing the hours which some of the pits could work as it reduced demand. One collier from Trimdon Grange pit complained that his hours had been reduced in 1863.
There is mention of Manchester for instance being supplied by traction engines, and this was suggested as means of avoiding the Northeastern's Durham line, but the saving was marginal.
The House of Parliament?Commissions into the mater don't seem to have resolved the situation.
Was the same thing happening else where in the country?
Regards
Ian Spensley
-----Original Message-----
From: Bernard Moore <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:49
Subject: Re: Public Interest Information
Tin hats on everybody! Bye Bye Lucy!
________________________________________________________________________
AOL's new homepage has launched. Take a tour at http://info.aol.co.uk/homepage/ now.
|