Page:The Reshaping of British Railways (Beeching Report).pdf/66

 Appendix 1

In July 1961 a number of traffic studies were embarked upon designed to obtain much more information than had hitherto been available regarding the working of the railway and its future prospects. These embraced the following:—


 * 1) A study to determine the contribution each station, depot, and section of tine makes to the system as a whole in both the passenger and freight fields.
 * 2) A cost study to establish the characteristics of all wagon-load freight traffic and to determine which traffics were profitable to the railway and under what conditions.
 * 3) A study to ascertain the pattern and characteristics of all wagon-load mineral and merchandise traffic not passing hy rail and the volume, direction, distance, and terminal requirements of that part of it judged to be favourable to rail. The study included consideration of how the traffic would be carried by rail.
 * 4) A study, similar to No. (3), in respect of coal class traffic.
 * 5) A study to establish the volume and characteristics of less than wagon-load traffic with the object of deciding upon the practicability of devising a plan for remunerative handling of this type of traffic.

Whilst each of the Studies yielded information which was of value in itself, the group of Studies was planned so that results could be integrated for the purpose of determining the shape and size of a railway fitted to present day conditions and requirements.

The outcome of these studies is described in considerable detail in the pages which follow and is illustrated by tables, graphs and maps.

In 1961 the route mileage open to traffic was 17,830. The density of passenger and freight traffic over each section of route, excluding certain areas of considerable complexity, was assessed during a normal week.

The following tables show the disparity between the different parts of the system measured by the percentage of passenger miles and freight ton miles occupying the route mileage in the groups.

Table No. 1

Range—passenger miles

Route miles

Actual

Percentage of total

Percentage of total passenger miles

(Figures in brackets are cumulative)

Less than 2,000 passenger miles 6,056  36  1

2,000-9,999 4,612  27  7(8)

10,000-19,999 2,186  13 (76)  10 (18)

20,000-39,999 1,982  11 (87)  17 (35)

40,000-79,999 1,349  8 (95)  23 (58)

80,000-179,999 689  4 (99)  24 (82)

180,000 passenger miles and over 188  1 (100)  18 (100)

17,062 100  100