‘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'

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Blisworth - Towcester ETS working

Electric train staff equipment had been brought into use between Blisworth and Towcester by 9 August 1910 (date of SMJR minute 451 (TNA file RAIL 674/3)) and presumably the new signal box at Blisworth appeared at the same time. In that this was so…Continue

Started by Richard Maund 4 hours ago.

Blisworth 1920

SMJ board minute 1474 of 13 April 1921 (TNA file RAIL 674/4) approved that “the following expenditure be charged to Capital” for year 1920: “Blisworth: Signalling and alterations to Permanent Way, Improvements and additional signalling: £800”. In…Continue

Started by Richard Maund 5 hours ago.

Evesham Redditch & Stratford-upon-Avon Junction Railway 8 Replies

Did this railway (as opposed to the East & West Junction Railway) go into receivership - if so, when. And when did it come out of receivership?Continue

Started by Richard Maund. Last reply by Richard Maund Feb 11.

Bidford-on-Avon 5 Replies

Shall we bring this discussion under the proper heading!So far as the OS plan surveyed 1885, published 1886, is concerned: the OS liked - wherever they could - to have text running parallel to the top and bottom borders. When they came to add the…Continue

Started by Richard Maund. Last reply by Richard Maund Feb 10.

SMJ photos

Barry's SMJ book

I see an advert for Volume 1 of Barry Taylor's SMJ history in RM. Apparently it will cover the E&WJR and N&BJR period pre SMJ and is being published by Black Dwarf mid-August, cost &25 plus p.p.

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Permalink Reply by Barry Taylor on July 31, 2017 at 13:40

Hi Dick

Thanks for the mention - I know that there are one or two adverts out there already, and the book is currently being printed in Poland, with a target date of mid August into stock.

I will put up a note and a few details on this website when it's available, and with a pic of the revised cover. The title and cover will be slightly different to that shown in the adverts - a late change to avoid any possible confusion with the earlier "History of the SMJ" by Riley & Simpson.

Been a long time coming! It should be on display at the O Gauge Society show at Telford on 2nd/3rd September where BDL will have their stand as usual.

Watch this space!

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Permalink Reply by Dick Bodily on August 3, 2017 at 19:54

How many volumes are planned, Barry? And will it cover LMS and BR days eventually?

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Permalink Reply by Barry Taylor on August 4, 2017 at 12:15

There will be two volumes -

Vol 1 covers the early days - NBJR EWJR ST&MJR and ER&SJR histories and the locos and rolling stock of those companies

The second takes things on from 1909 when the SMJ came into being - then through LMS and BR days to closure and afterwards. Locos etc for all of those periods. Also in Vol 2 will be a detailed description of the line and its features and the line after closure, through to the present day. Should also be something on signalling and tickets as separate appendices hopefully.

No date for Vol 2 yet - it's written but I still have to sort out illustrations etc - but hopefully 2018

I'll post a copy of the cover of Vol 1 and full details next week - should be in the warehouse around 14th August apparently