had arranged an Act of Parliament to authorised a fundamental change of plan by the company: it would build a new line to link up with the Portland Railway, and abandon the unfinished section to Church Hope Cove. The Act of Parliament was passed on 14 August 1884; despite the decision not to reach Church Hope, the company name was unchanged. The authorised share capital was £50,000. Most importantly running powers were obtained over the Admiralty line so as to reach and connect with Weymouth and Portland Railway. Having obtained the necessary authority, the company once again failed to act to construct the line, and in 1885 further plans were made for alterations to the route. The extremely ambitious intention now was to take over the Weymouth and Portland Railway, even though that company was successfully trading, and the Easton and Church Hope Railway itself had not so far run any trains whatsoever. The takeover never happened. On 23 August 1887 another Act of Parliament was passed allowing the company £40,000 of further share capital, and another extension of time. Three years passed now with no progress made on the ground, and the time limit in the Act of Parliament expired. Another Act was obtained on 25 July 1890 now allowing further time and authorising deviations to the route. Still more Acts of Parliament were obtained for extension of time in July 1894 and August 1896; by now £80,000 had been expended on obtaining land and legal and other expenses, though the directors were still confident that a 4% dividend would be paid when the line is was completed. On 5 August 1897 the Church Hope company entered an agreement with the GWR and the LSWR for those companies to work their line jointly. In 1901 the Admiralty decided to acquire the Admiralty line, taking it over from the GWR and the LSWR. The Easton and Church Hope Company had hoped to share the cost of upgrading the Admiralty line for passenger operation with the main line companies, but now the Admiralty made it clear that it would not assist, leaving the Easton company having to bear the entire cost of the upgrade. The question of a joint station at Portland had arisen several times over the past two years. In January 1900 the estimated cost was considered to be £18,000. It was suggested that the Easton company should pay