Both the SA&MR and the S&LJR were well represented on the board and it was the latter's engineer who had carried out the survey in 1844.
The line received royal assent at the same time as the Grimsby Docks Company was approved in 1845.
The first board meeting of the amalgamated Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway took place on 6 January 1847.
The latter had stations at Moortown, Holton Le Moor, Usselby, Wickenby, Langworth and Reepham.
The section between Brigg and Gainsborough opened in 1849, with stations at Scawby and Hibaldstow, Kirton Lindsey, Northorpe and Blyton.