The plan had been to get this amalgamation officially authorised through an Act of Parliament and this proposal was submitted alongside an MR Absorption Bill.

The Amalgamation Bill was soon dropped paving the way for both companies to be absorbed by the Midland Railway from 3rd August 1846.

Parliament had established a commission to examine the problem and there was a consensus that the track should be unified throughout the line.

True or not, the story of how it came about is a part of railway legend, when the Midland's John Ellis was travelling, quite by chance it is said, in a train with two Bristol & Gloucester directors.

In the event, all that was needed was a nominal rent for the Midland's use of the LNWR's Birmingham New Street station.