GWR Route: Hatton to Bearley and Alcester Branch

Bearley Station: gwrbj2340

View of a Scammell mechanical horse and trailer being used to deliver goods from selected local goods yards. The men seen above are being given instruction on how to drive the Scammell mechanical horse. The Alcester branch's financial well being was founded on freight revenue so the rise of competition by road transport had a major detrimental impact upon the branches' finances. The railways were directed by the government to provide freight services under the common carrier legislation which compelled the railway to carry goods at a predetermined cost to anywhere on the railway network. This service had costs, such as rates and maintenance, which road hauliers didn't need to pay such as building or maintaining roads. Mechanical horses offered a greater degree of productivity being able to deliver goods to a wider area from fewer locations enabling the railways to reduce the number of goods facilities operated by local stations. Revenue generated by freight on the Alcester branch fell by 80 per cent from between 1925 to 1938. In 1925, freight revenue was £7101 amounting to 82 per cent of income whereas in 1938 revenue had fallen to £1418 some 69 per cent of revenue. Passenger revenue was £1554 in 1925 and £630 in 1938.

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