By this act the company is empowered to erect steam-engines on or near the railway, and also to make and use locomotive engines thereon, and it states that in the former act a tonnage rate of 1s. per ton was imposed on all goods passing the inclined planes on the railway, at which time it was intended to have one inclined plane only, but as in consequence of the alteration in the line, which shortens the distance about three miles, a greater number of them will be necessary, the act authorizes the taking 1s. per ton on all goods at each; and also empowers the company to take a toll of 6d. per mile on every description of carriage, waggon, or cart, which shall be used for the conveyance of passengers or parcels.
The next act, of parliament relating to this undertaking was obtained in 1824, and is entitled, 'An Act to authorize the Company of Proprietors of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, to relinquish one of their Branch Railways, and to enable them to make another Branch Railway in lieu thereof; and to enable the said Company to raise a further Sum of Money, and to enlarge the Powers and Provisions of the several Acts relating to the said Railway.' The branch railway relinquished by the company, was one leading from Norlees House, in the township of West Auckland, in lieu of which they were authorized to make one from the main line at the north west end of the village of St. Helen's, Auckland, through West Auckland and Evenwood, to Evenwood Bridge, and from thence to Hagger Leases Lane, in the township of Lynesack and Softley.
By an estimate made by Mr. Robert Stevenson, in 1824, the expense of making this branch would be £9,000.
The act empowers the company to raise a further sum of £50,000, by any of the means prescribed in the former acts relating to this railway.
The last act of parliament was passed in 1828, and is entitled, 'An Act to enable the Company of Proprietors of the Stockton and Darlington Railway to make a Branch therefrom, in the counties of Durham and York, and to amend and enlarge the Powers and Provisions of the several Acts relating thereto.' The branch authorized by this act of parliament to be made was to commence at the main line, where it crosses Bowesfield Lane, in
