Volume Six - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - Select Aspects - The end of the line for the Taff Vale Railway - 1921

VXI. - Summary of Financial Results Secured in Comparison with those for Past Years

The total expenditure on Capital Accounts remained stable in the period 1913 to 1921 being, £6.554m in 1913, £6.620 in 1914, 6.650m in 1915, £6,653m in 1916, 6.652m in 1917, £6.651 in 1918, 6.656m in 1919, £6.699 in 1920 and £6.777m in 1921. The dividend paid respectively was 4%, 3.75%, 3.5%, 3.5%, 3.75% and 4% for the remaining financial years. Quite an amazing performance for a private limited entity given the stability through the years of the first World War (1914-1918). Mr W. J. Bennett was the Accountant for the Company and the scene was set for the hand-over of a financially healthy company to the GWR on the 1st January 1922.

Two interesting sections followed:

Mr. George T. Sibberling, Engineer stated: 'I hereby certify that the whole of the Company's Roads, Bridges, and Works, Permanent Way, Signalling, Telegraphs, Stations, Buildings, Dock, Harbour, Wharves, and other works, have during the past year, been maintained in good working condition and repair, so far has been possible having regard to the requirements of the Government and to the effect of the War.' Cardiff, 26th January, 1922.

Then Mr J. Cameron the Locomotive and Carriage and Wagon Superintendent stated: 'I hereby certify that the whole of the Company's Engines, Tenders, Carriages, Wagons, Tips, Hydraulic and other Machinery, and Plant, under my supervision, have, during the past year, been maintained in good working order and repair, so far as has been possible having regard to the requirements of the Government and to the effect of the War." Cardiff, 26th January, 1922.

The Auditors, Mr. Frank N. Tribe and Mr. F. Percy Jenkins got a mention in the Auditor's Certificate at the end of the accounts and no doubt their fee! The Index followed and on the last page a 'Map Explanatory of the System'- see image left. And then, the Taff Vale Railway Company had come to the end of the line! 1922 dawned and the Great Western Railway was the new owner of the system and the new employer for many.