 The MS&LR got running powers to Leeds Central station over the West Yorkshire Railway (as the Bradford, Wakefield and Leeds Railway had become), and the Leeds, Bradford and Halifax Junction Railway.Having secured the direct route it had sought for so long, the GNR immediately diverted its West Riding trains over the new line, reducing the journey time for express trains by twenty minutes.The original authorisation had included a curve to the Midland Railway (former North Midland Railway section) Rotherham to Leeds line; it was a short curve from Sandal junction to Walton junction.