... era from 1901 to 1911 (really 1914). Railways had no serious competitors in long distance haulage, the electric tram was providing some competition in short distance passenger routes in the conurbation's, but motor transport was only just emerging and at that point was not a serious competitor. The First World War brought the railways under direct government control, and, as happens in wartime, maintenance was somewhat neglected on locomotives, rolling stock and track. The result was that the rail industry was in poor shape and competition in the form of motor buses and lorries (wagons) became more serious both in town and in the country routes near to the towns. In 1923 one hundred and twenty three separate railway companies were made to amalgamate into four separate companies, which was called 'The Big Four'. The LMS ran from London through the Midlands, North - west of England and over much of ...

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