The long-standing general manager and secretary A.M. Sheard passed away while still in office, and this ultimately led to the cessation of Railway Company operations from September, with it being said the closure was in order to "carry out essential maintenence", though in reality the subsidiary Road Services operation had been financially supporting the railway's continued operation for a number of years.

Winter services had been largely replaced by bus services for some time and since the beginning of the decade the railway had been in decline, the loss of the lucrative schools' contract when winter services ceased being one of several catalysts to his closure.  By the end of the year it seemed that the railway would never open again...