the backlog of renewals in the reference year (for calculating the division) disproportionately depressed NBR net revenue. Shareholder hostility did not die down following the meeting, and on 2 February 1872 the Board announced that the proposal would not now be pursued. The Caledonian reacted angrily, saying that, "we shall, no doubt, have a renewal of the old rivalry". Branch lines On 18 August 1872, Parliamentary authorisation was given for the absorption by the NBR of the insolvent Northumberland Central Railway. The Penicuik Railway opened in 1872 and the Edinburgh, Loanhead and Roslin Railway opened in stages from 1873; both lines were worked by the NBR. In 1874 the Whiteinch Railway was opened, also worked by the NBR, and after a very lengthy gestation period the Stobcross Railway, a branch of the NBR, opened giving access to the new Queens Dock on the Clyde; the dock itself was also taking a long time in the construction, and it did not open fully until 1877. On 1 January 1875, the Devon Valley Railway was vested in the NBR. In 1876, the Peebles Railway was absorbed, as was the Berwickshire Railway and the Penicuik Railway. On 1 November 1877, the Glasgow, Bothwell, Hamilton and Coatbridge Railway opened, from Shettleston. It was worked by the NBR and in 1878 agreement was reached to absorb it. The long line penetrated into Caledonian Railway territory where coal was plentiful. In February 1878 the North Monkland Railway opened, also primarily intended for mineral working. In 1879, the Kelvin Valley Railway opened; mainly intended to bring minerals from Kilsyth, it was not welcomed with enthusiasm by the NBR, which nonetheless worked it. More financial difficulties From 1873 onward, operating costs rose considerably faster than receipts and the NBR discontinued paying a dividend on ordinary shares, the only Scottish railway in this position at the time. A concerted effort was made to get the situation under control, and a 4% dividend was announced at the September 1875 Shareholders' Meeting. Midland Railway access to Carlisle In September 1875, the Settle and Carlisle line was opened, at last giving the Midland Railway its own access to Carlisle. The Midland was a natural partner for the North British Railway in forming a competing through route via Carlisle. However, passenger operation had to wait until the following year. Crossing the Tay and the Forth On 31 May 1877, the Tay Bridge was