In 1835 the Toll Clauses sanctioned by Parliament were generally as follows:—
Great Western Railway Act, 1835, 5 and 6 William IV., cap. 107, s. 164, 166, 167.
“And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the said Company to demand, receive, and recover, to and for the Use and Benefit of the said Company, for the Tonnage of all Articles, Matters and Things which shall be conveyed upon or along the said Railway, any Rates or Tolls not exceeding the following: (that is to say,)
“For all Dung, Compost, and all sorts of Manure, Lime, and Limestone, and Salt, and all undressed materials for the Repair of Public Roads or Highways, the Sum of One Penny per Ton per mile;
“For all Coals, Coke, Culm, Charcoal, Cinders, Building, Pitching, and Paving Stones Dressed, Bricks, Tiles, Slates, Clay, Sand, Ironstone, Iron Ore, Pig, Bar, Rod, Hoop, Sheet, and all other similar Descriptions of wrought Iron and Castings not manufactured into utensils or other Articles of Merchandise, the Sum of Three Halfpence per Ton per Mile;
“For all Sugar, Grain, Corn, Flour, Dyewoods, Earthenware, Timber, Staves, and Deals, Metals (except Iron), Nails, Anvils, Vices, and Chains, the Sum of Twopence per Ton per Mile;
“For all Cotton and other Wools, Hides, Drugs, manufactured Goods, and all other Wares, Merchandise, Articles, Matters, or things, the Sum of Threepence per ton per Mile.
“And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the said Company, and they are hereby empowered to provide Locomotive or Stationary Engines or other Power for the drawing or propelling of any Articles, Matters, or Things, Persons, Cattle, or Animals, upon the said Railway, and also along and upon any other Railway communicating therewith, and to receive, demand, and recover such Sums of Money for the Use of such Engines or other Power as the said Company shall think proper, in addition to the several other Rates, Tolls, or Sums by this Act authorised to be taken.
“And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the said Company, and they are hereby authorised, if they shall think proper, to use and Employ Locomotive Engines or other Moving Power, and in Carriages or Wagons drawn or propelled thereby to Convey upon the said Railway and also along and upon any other Railway communicating therewith, all such Passengers, Cattle and other Animals Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, Articles, Matters and Things, as shall be offered to them for that Purpose, and to make such reasonable Charges for such Conveyance as they may from Time to Time determine upon, in addition to the several Rates or Tolls by this Act authorised to be taken: Provided always, that it shall not be lawful for the said Company or for any Person using the said Railway as carriers to charge for the Conveyance of any Passenger upon the said Railway any greater Sum than the Sum of Threepence Halfpenny per Mile, including the Toll or Rate hereinbefore granted.”
By the Great Western Railway Company’s Act, 1847, the power of the Company in regard to rates and charges was reduced and limited,