July 1846. The H&SJR opened to the public on 1 July 1850. At first the MS&LR worked the line (as it was disconnected from the M&LR), but in 1870 the L&YR began running Sheffield-Huddersfield trains from Penistone. West Riding Union Railways 1846 The West Riding Union Railways Company was formed in 1846 from the wreckage of George Hudson's duplicity; he had promised to promote a southward line from Bradford to Halifax and elsewhere. The West Riding Union Railway Act of 18 August 1846 authorised a line supported by the Manchester and Leeds Railway; the Act required amalgamation with the Manchester and Leeds Railway within three months. This was done on 17 November 1846; the actual construction of the line was carried out by the M&LR, which changed its title the following year to the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway. The section from Low Moor to Mirfield was opened on 18 July 1848, but the more difficult construction from Bradford to Low Moor was delayed until 9 May 1850, and Mirfield to Halifax on 7 August 1850; the Sowerby Bridge section opened on 1 January 1852. Preston and Wyre Railway 1846 The Preston and Wyre Railway and Harbour Company was founded in 1835 to build from Preston via Poulton to the new town of Fleetwood; it opened in 1840. The company amalgamated with the Preston and Wyre Dock Company to form the Preston and Wyre Railway, Harbour and Dock Company in 1839. A branch from Poulton to Blackpool North and another to Lytham, both opening in 1846. With the absorption of the Manchester and Bolton Railway and a share of the North Union Railway in 1846, the Manchester and Leeds Railway had now extended its influence to Preston. It had already had a close association with the Preston and Wyre Railway in running excursion traffic, and a closer connection was appropriate. The amalgamation of the two companies was authorised by the M&LR Act of 3 August 1846. Ashton, Stalybridge and Liverpool Junction Railway 1847 A branch was proposed to run from Miles Platting to Ashton and Stalybridge, with a short branch to Ardwick, in Manchester. The Bill was successful and the branch was authorised by the Ashton, Stalybridge and Liverpool Junction Railway Act of 19 July 1844; there was no intention to build to Liverpool. The line was to terminate adjacent to the Stalybridge station of the Sheffield, Ashton and Manchester Railway,