 There were several proposals made either to the NSR or by it , to merge or lease or sell the company to other railway companies . The first was in 1849 when the LNWR , using its financial strength , made suggestions about a merger . To avoid this the NSR had to agree to the running powers outlined above . A further attempt in 1851 got as far as a parliamentary bill being submitted for amalgamation until the select committee appointed to look at the bill reported against the idea . The LNWR made a further attempt in 1855 which failed because of concerted opposition by the MR , MS & L and GWR . Less than twenty years later , in 1870 , these four companies all combined to look at taking over the NSR following a decision by the NSR board to sell or lease the company . The four rival companies were unable to agree on who would take what share of the NSR and the proposal floundered . 
