In 1886, the Board of Trade was critical of the P&TR practice of running mixed trains with passenger carriages behind the goods wagons. In addition, there was increasing pressure to equip trains with continuous brakes, to install interlocking of signals and the block system of signalling; all of these initiatives required considerable expenditure and the P&TR did not have the money. The financial situation revived consideration of amalgamation, and the LNWR was considered as a partner, but this led to nothing. In fact the GWR became the partner and a lease of the P&TR to the GWR was agreed, to take effect on 1 July 1896. The GWR absorbed the Company on 1 July 1897, authorised under the GWR (Additional Powers) Act of 6 August 1897.