Malcolm Tavistock

Malcolm Tavistock was a well known rail pioneer from Coltar.

## Career

### Early Career

Tavistock followed his father into a career in investment banking at the Consolidated Merchant and Public Central Bank of Coltar. He entered into the business as a loan clerk before working his way up to investment clerk.

### Early Interest in Railways

As an investment clerk at Merchant and Public, Tavistock was responsible for scouting business opportunities. Tavistock's initial introduction to the railway industry took place when he travelled to Woleseat to evaluate plans by local businessmen, who were looking into privately funding a stretch of railway between Pembleton and Woleseat.

Tavistock allegedly saw potential in the investment, but ultimately rejected the proposal at the time citing concerns over political obstructions and fears of potential defaults from a privately funded endeavour. Neverthelss, Tavistock later stated that it was at this time that he begun to imagine a service between Pembleton and Coltar, although the engineering effort and cost involved was far too prohibitive at that early stage of the railway industry.

### The Coltar Line and Tavistock Viaduct

After several more years, Tavistock had risen to Chief of Investment at M&P and had amassed a small personal fortune from succesful speculative investment, particularly in his industry of choice - railways. Tavistock made a formal proposal to M&P to fund a Woleseat to Coltar line, complete with the now-famous Coltar Viaduct. The Rail Worker's Guild were keen to accept the proposals as Tavistock was better placed than almost anyone to secure a favourable investment loan. Merchant and Public agreed to loan one half of the cost if Tavistock could fund the viaduct and a portion of the line independently.

Tavistock secured the remaining investment for the line from the Rail Worker's Guild and decided to fund the construction of the viaduct himself, on the provision that he would collect a small toll for every train crossing the viaduct in return for him (and his descendants) paying for its upkeep in perpetuity. Both the bank and Rail Worker's Guild accepted this proposal at it eased concerns over the construction costs of the viaduct and ongoing upkeep. Conversely, Tavistock banked that the railway would be popular enough that the viaduct toll would prove extremely lucrative for himself. Tavistock formed Tavistock Railway Holdings to organise the construction and future management of the viaduct, investing the majority of his savings in the venture.

### Late Career and Retirement

After several years the viaduct begun to break even for Tavistock and he begun to draw more income from the viaduct toll than from his role at M&P and his other inestments as the Coltar line became increasingly popular.

Tavistock spent six more years at Merchant and Public after construction of the line and retired at the age of 56 with a small but growing personal fortune.

### Death and Financial Legacy

Tavistock's final years were spent pursuing mainly philanthropic endeavours and Tavistock left his entire fortune at the time of his death to a number of different charities. The majority of the future income from the viaduct toll income was to be split between his two children and was intended to act as an income for them.

## Tavistock and Greytowers School

Tavistock's two children, Oliver (later known as Partridge) and Phillip, attended Greytowers School.

Tavistock, in his role at Merchant and Public helped secure a large loan to the school during a period of expansion and cited his admiration for the quality of the school as being a significant factor in approving the loan. Despite the vocal support of the board of M&P, Tavistock was nonetheless investigated for this admission as it was in breach of his fiduciary duty to the bank. The case was dismissed by the presiding financial magistrate Terrance Richards in a move seen by Tavistock's opponents as a "legal mockery"; it was suggested that it was unfair to select a magistrate who was both a Greytower alumni and great uncle of Tavistock.

In addition, the Coltar line was a major boon to the school, allowing them to construct a station to serve the school and massively boosting interest. A great many contemporary officials at the school attributed the school's ongoing success to Tavistock, him having being the driving force behind the railway line. In his final years Tavistock allocated a small portion of the future viaduct toll income to fund two under-privileged students to attend the school. This bursary continues today.

As a result of his help securing loans, the bursary he established (the first of its kind) and his role in the construction of the Coltar Line, Greytowers named a boarding house after Tavistock (House Tavistock).

## Controversies

When Tavistock, as an investment clerk, recommended against approving a loan to the private railway endeavour in Woleseat, he was accused of having been paid off by the Woleseat Canal Company. Tavistock vehemently denied this claim. Whilst a review of his behaviour was allegedly carried out by Merchant and Public, no wrongdoing was uncovered and there were no notable repercussions for Tavistock. The public accusations did, however, highlight and exacerbate growing tensions between the Canal Company and various residents of Woleseat.

Tavistockian Decision

Building the Viaduct

"Building the viaduct was a Tavistockian Decision"