opening of the railway in 1847 one of the contracting engineers, George Heald, wrote an impassioned riposte to Wordsworth accusing him of wanting to obstruct the opportunities the railway would bring. It is dated 15 April 1847, the Locomotive at Orrest Head. He argues for the democratising influence of the railway and the cultural and social benefits it will bring rather than the economic reasons that might be expected from a railway engineer: See also History of rail transport in Great Britain List of early British railway companies Notes References London and North Western Railway Rail transport in Cumbria Early British railway companies Railway companies established in 1845 Railway lines opened in 1847 Railway companies disestablished in 1858 1845 establishments in England British companies disestablished in 1858 British companies established in 1845