LMS: Birmingham New Street to Tamworth

Warwickshire Coal Company: misc_kt379

Another contract by the Warwickshire Coal Company to the coal factors Lamont and Warne, this time for 1,300 tons of beans for delivery over six months to the Colthorp Board and Paper Mill at Thatcham, on the Great Western main line near Reading at the rate of approximately 217 tons per month, 20/21 wagon loads, therefore guaranteeing the continued presence of Coventry wagons on part of the Great Western main line. My suggested route is via Leamington, Banbury, Oxford and Didcot to both destinations.

The simplicity of these documents, hand raised, typed and calculated is in sharp contrast to today's super-slick and impersonal methods. And remember the invoices for each particular shipment had to be raised and sent to Lamont and Warne, who, in turn, also raised an invoice to the recipient. Safe delivery of invoices between the colliery and the factor was absolutely essential, in those days normal postal services were more attuned to commerce.

Keith Turton

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