‘The Stratford Upon Avon & Midland Junction Railway’ (or S.M.J.) was a small independent railway company which ran a line across the empty, untouched centre of England. It visited the counties of Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire and a little of Buckinghamshire, only existing as the SMJ from 1909 to 1923. In 1923 the S.M.J.became a minor arm of the London Midland and Scottish (L.M.S.), then in 1948 'British Railways'
Gone but not forgotten: "the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth"
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SMJ Forum
Bridge sign 3 Replies
An East and West Junction and Stratford-On-Avon, Towcester and Midland Junction Railways bridge weight notice, cast iron, 16½"x11¾", the front repainted. As is usual, the company title has been altered to Stratford-On-Avon and Midland Junction…Continue
Started by Graham Ward. Last reply by Russ Firth Jun 1.
SMJ Postage stamps 1911 and 1924
A couple of items recently up for auction.GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY COMPANY AND STRATFORD-UPON-AVON & MIDLAND JUNCTION: 6…Continue
Started by Graham Ward May 21.
More building at Towcester 3 Replies
I hear there has been more building at the station site in Towcester.Anyone know what they've dug up?…Continue
Tags: Towcester
Started by Andy Thompson. Last reply by John Evans Apr 19.
Loco N° 5. 2-4-0T 1 Reply
Hi everybodyI’m building a OO gauge model of Fenny Compton and Clifford Sidings over here in Belgium.Quite a strange idea but so be it…In view of this I plan to transform a RTR Beatie Well Tank into SMJR N° 5 the 2-4-0T and use some etchings for the…Continue
Started by Jack Freuville. Last reply by Simon Dunkley Mar 17.
SMJ photos
2F WDs working to Bristol
In the 1950s/60s we had a regular working of a 2F Woodford Halse WD to Bristol. I was always intrigued by how they got there. Does anybody know if that was via the SMJR please?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by CLIVE BOARDMAN on
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Yes, the working travelled via the SMJ; I was a fireman at Woodford from 1956 to 1958 and worked over the SMJ (the 'Nibble') many times. There were several evening workings over the line from Woodford, mainly to South Wales, all WD 2-8-0 hauled and the Bristol train was the first one out at 7.20 pm (book on 6.00pm, prepare own engine, off shed at 7.00pm, depart Woodford Old Up yard at 7.20pm. Changeover with the return working was at either Evesham or Ashchurch, after which the train presumably travelled via Cheltenham and the ex. Midland main line via Charfield to Bristol.
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Thank you Clive so much for this. I have pondered this question for 60 years! Do you know what was the destination yard for these trains? I suspect that in the case of the South Wales trains in might have been Severn Tunnel Jct.
You mention being relieved at Evesham or Ashchurch. I had not realised that there was a south facing junction at Broom. I recall the new junction being installed at Stratford, but that was, I guess, after your time.
Best Wishes,
Bob Bishop
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I now know about the 1942 south curve at Broom Jct
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Bob Bishop said:Thank you Clive so much for this. I have pondered this question for 60 years! Do you know what was the destination yard for these trains? I suspect that in the case of the South Wales trains in might have been Severn Tunnel Jct.
You mention being relieved at Evesham or Ashchurch. I had not realised that there was a south facing junction at Broom. I recall the new junction being installed at Stratford, but that was, I guess, after your time.
Best Wishes,
Bob Bishop
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Hello Bob, no, sorry, I don't know the destination yards of the trains; I seem to remember that one of the later departures was to Cardiff, beyond that I don't know. Yes, the connection at Stratford for the Honeybourne line was after my time but drivers were learning the new road when I left Woodford in December, 1958. which is strange because I believe the new connection didn't come into use until 1960. Oddly enough I now volunteer on the GWSR at Toddington, usually in the cafe at Winchcombe, and I assume that these trains passed through there after the Honeybourne connection opened.
Best regards,
Clive
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