Incorporated on 14th August 1848
Originally proposed by the Monmouthshire Canal Company, the ‘Newport and Pontypool Railway’ was authorised on 31st July 1845 to compete with the increase in railway transportation which threatened the Monmouthshire Canal. The railway was re-incorporated in 1848 as the Monmouthshire Railway and Canal Co. and opened in 1852 running mineral traffic to and from the canal, and was taken over by the Great Western Railway in 1880.
Original capital £119,100 in ‘entire shares’ of £100 each and quarter shares of £25 each.
Following the change of name the company raised a further £112,500 capital, and £37,500 in loans, and the amount was increased further in 1853.