The North Eastern Railway (NER), formed in 1854 by amalgamation, at the time was the largest railway company in the country and controlled the East Coast Main Line from Knottingley, south of York, through Darlington to Berwick-upon-Tweed. When they approached the S&DR with a proposal to merge, the S&DR deciding they preferred a merger with the NER than eventually become part of the LNWR, entered negotiations.
The North Eastern Railway (NER), established in 1854 by combining various companies, was once the largest railway company and controlled the East Coast Main Line from Knottingley to Darlington and Berwick-upon-Tweed. When they proposed merging with S&DR, S&DR preferred a union with NER over eventually becoming part of LNWR, thus initiating negotiations.