EARLY DAYS OF RAILWAYS. 435 



merely of the principal town at the extreme terminus 

 of the main line. 



According to the several dates at which their Acts of 

 Parliament were passed, the Companies set to work in 

 the construction of their lines, getting portions of them 

 opened either at one or both ends as soon as possible, 

 in order to be in the receipt of some returns to meet 

 their very heavy expenses. 



The Birmingham and Greenwich were the two 

 first lines out of London which received Parliamentary 

 sanction, and the latter, being so short a line, was 

 completed in three years and a half ; the Act having 

 received the Eoyal assent in May, 1833, the line 

 was opened on the 14th of December, 1836. Being 

 the first line opened out of London, it was made 

 quite a festive occasion, and tickets of admission to- 

 the station were issued to the various friends and 

 supporters of the line on large cards, with a picture 

 of the railway as a heading, followed by 



Opening 



of the 



London and Greenwich Eailway. 



This ticket will admit 



At the London Station, December 14, 1836. 



J. Y. Akerman, Secretary. 



The train will start at 12 o'clock 



28—2 



