The S&UR series is made of 8 easy-to-find traditional caches hidden what remains of the old line of the Staffordshire & Uttoxeter Railway in Stafford. Each cache gives you a bit of the history of the entire line. If you are a ‘beginner’ geocacher also look out for two “EarthCaches” nearby to #1 and #6, which don’t always show up on beginners’ phone apps.
S&UR History, Part Five – Financial Problems (1867-1879)
From the beginning the company was undersubscribed (not enough shares were sold) and losing money. In 1865 they returned to Parliament with a second bill to authorise the raising of further finance. Even when the line was operating it met continuing opposition from the LNWR and the North Staffordshire Railway, who did not keep reliable connections at their two stations and refused to accept goods for onward transit even if prepaid. The S&UR was surrounded by and yet dependent on unfriendly competitors.
Accident!
The connections problem may have contributed to a serious accident in 1873 when a train derailed on the curve at the end of the Hopton Cutting. It was suggested that it had been delayed by five minutes leaving Uttoxeter, on a very tightly timed service, and was speeding to make the connection at Stafford. Both footplate men were killed, the guard and booking clerk were severely injured, and six passengers were hurt.
Bankrupt
By 1878 it was clear that the company cost more to run than it made, and a receiver was appointed. Since the LNWR and the NSR were largely responsible for the company’s failure, the receiver approach two other companies – the Great Northern Railway (who had recently extended to Derby) and the Midland Railway (at Derby and Burton). Both companies would benefit from carrying their own traffic on the, however the fact that the S&UR still hadn’t got its own line to Derby was a bit of a problem.
The Midland was already working with the LNWR and NSR, whereas the GNR were still trying to get access to and through this area. Since the GNR was anxious to penetrate further westward, they were the best bet.
Text from Jones P (1981) The Stafford and Uttoxeter Railway, Salisbury: The Oakwood Press, via Wikipedia