A Year of Steady Progress

One of the most interesting yearly reports, which may be taken as typical of that of the Home railways generally, is that of the Great Western Railway. During 1929, this undertaking's receipts showed an increase over 1928 of £656,509. Some 1,250,000 tons more freight, and about 5,250,000 tons more coal and coke were handled by the system during 1929, and these increases largely contributed to the general improvement in traffic receipts. Passengers handled by the line numbered 1,300,000 more than in 1928, but passenger train receipts showed a drop of £278,000. For the year 1929, shareholders receive a dividend of 7 1/2 per cent. on Great Western ordinary stock. Regarding the general situation, the Board of the Great Western Railway state that 1929 was a year of steady progress. The train mileage for the year was the highest ever recorded in the history of the undertaking, and this was accomplished not only without employing additional locomotives, but actually with an engine stock reduced in number by eighty-nine. In common with the three other big Home railways, the Great Western has embarked extensively upon transport on the roads, and through a courageous policy of acquiring important private road transport undertakings, has practically dismissed the bogey of road competition for good.