‘Keeping unbroken ways’: the role of the Railway Clearing House Secretariat in British freight transportation, c.1923–c.1947

The contribution of the Stephenson Company, engine manufacturers to the genesis of the British railway industry c.1823-1840

“…Gourvish's (1972) history of the London and North-Western Railway developed a similar narrative in the UK context, pointing to the development of hierarchies and managerial elites; further developed by Gourvish (1973) and Turner (2013). Likewise, the organisation of railways has long been regarded as an exemplar of managerial hierarchy, and a precursor to the emergence of the modern corporation (e.g., Chandler, 1977;Gourvish, 1972;Edwards, 2013). Edwards (2013) argues that the railways were the first entities to deal with complex issues of control, communication and decision-making on a day-to-day basis, and were at the vanguard of those firms striving to introduce new ways of working.…”

“…Likewise, the organisation of railways has long been regarded as an exemplar of managerial hierarchy, and a precursor to the emergence of the modern corporation (e.g., Chandler, 1977;Gourvish, 1972;Edwards, 2013). Edwards (2013) argues that the railways were the first entities to deal with complex issues of control, communication and decision-making on a day-to-day basis, and were at the vanguard of those firms striving to introduce new ways of working. Casson's (2009) study of the railway system from its inception to 1914 offers a comprehensive account of the competitive and co-operative instincts of proprietors and their managers.…”