 George Hudson (1800–71) became the most important railway promoter of his time.Called the "railway king" of Britain, Hudson amalgamated numerous short lines and set up a "Clearing House" in 1842 which rationalized the service by providing uniform paperwork and standardized methods for apportioning fares while transferring passengers and freight between lines, and loaning out freight wagons.He could design complex company and line amalgamations, and his activities helped to bring about the beginnings of a more modern railway network.