‘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"
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
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
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.
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.
Sorry, can't help you with any photos you are looking for, but good luck in your search. I assume you have all the books on the SMJ, I have one close up photo of the wooden waiting shelter on the up platform that doesn't seem to be in any book.
I'm fairly certain that there were two sidings as shown in Arthur Jordan's book and 'Track layout diagrams of the GWR and BR WR, section 29 - SMJ'
In M. Christensen's book all the points on the interchange are numbered and presumably controlled from the one box built in 1931. I don't know how it was controlled when there were two boxes.
Are you modelling both the SMJ and GWR stations? - I've thought about doing that, it will be some layout (presumably in 00 gauge).
Thanks for your quick answer. I do have many books on the SMJR and over 500 photographs; unfortunately I’m missing those odd places at Fenny Compton. I don’t have M. Christensen’s book; could you send me the references?
I’m only modeling THE SMJR station with part of the GWR track as a scenic add on; the gauge is OO
Concerning the waiting room; is it a rear view from the GWR side?