Page:Rivers, Canals, Railways of Great Britain.djvu/429

 Collieries; and within three quarters of a mile of Swannington there is a fourth branch, three furlongs and two chains in length, extending westward to Long Lane Colliery.

These proposed works were designed by Mr. Robert Stephenson, who estimated the cost at £75,453, of which sum it appears that £61,950 was subscribed before the application to parliament.

The act authorizing the execution of this railway received the royal assent on the 29th May, 1830, and is entitled, 'An Act for making and maintaining a Railway or Tramroad from the River Soar near the West Bridge, in or near the borough of Leicester, to Swannington, in the county of Leicester, and four Branches therefrom.' The subscribers were by this act incorporated as "The Leicester and Swannington Railway Company," with power to raise amongst themselves the sum of £90,000, in eighteen hundred shares of £50 each; and if this is not sufficient, they may borrow on mortgage the further sum of £20,000; but previous to commencing the works, the amount of the original estimate is to be subscribed.

The distance between the inside edges of the rails to be not less than 4 feet 8 inches; and between the outside edges not more than 5 feet 1 inch.