GWR Great Western Railway

Unlike other group companies, the Great Western Railway, which had been incorporated in 1835, merely absorbed the independent Welsh railway companies.  Due to their relatively small size this grouping was basically a take-over, rather than an amalgamation.  The pre-1923 GWR is main lines ran from Paddington to many points north and west; Penzance, Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea, Fishguard, Birmingham and Birkenhead.  The principal Welsh Companies absorbed are listed below.