 In the 1940s due to changes in company laws South Maitland Railways Ltd was changed to South Maitland Railways Proprietary Limited.With the merger of JABAS with Caledonian Collieries Ltd in 1960 and the formation of Coal & Allied Industries Ltd (C&A) the 50% share in SMR held by JABAS passed to this new company.In 1967 Coal & Allied purchased Hebburn Ltd which then gave them 100% control of South Maitland Railways.