‘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
magnet fishing
Hi everyone, yesterday I did some magnet fishing with the grandchildren from the SMJ bridge over the river Tove in Towester, to great excitement of the children (and myself) we pulled out three chair screws and a rivet which looked similar in style…Continue
Started by Steve Camm Sep 1.
One of the best preserved SMJ bridges? 1 Reply
I was at Ettington the other day and apart from the good shed, which has had a lot of money spent on it including full glazing, the station building is still there. But my attention went to the station bridge (No. 73?) which is in very good…Continue
Started by John Evans. Last reply by Andy Thompson Aug 30.
Passenger Trains connected to the SMJ
Following on from the previous discussion about WD passenger trains on the SMJ during the 1940s; it must be said that passenger trains ran on metals connected to the SMJ until the mid 1960s. There was a passenger service from the nearest point to…Continue
Started by Dave Hayward Jun 16.
Wartime passenger trains from Burton Dassett 3 Replies
Arthur Jordan in his book, The Stratford Upon Avon and Midland Junction Railway - The Shakespeare Route at pp 82 mentions a WW2 late night special from Stratford on Avon to Burton Dassett for soldiers at the CAD. I would envisage that this did not…Continue
Started by Dave Hayward. Last reply by Dave Hayward Jun 16.
SMJ photos
MOD Trains from Long Marston to Kineton
Further to my question yesterday about the last trains through Stratford SMJ Station, l informed my acquaintance about Richard's answer and got this in return.....
I have spoken to a very elderly neighbour who worked at MOD Long Marston in the 60's and 70's. He tells me that the line was used by the MOD at that time to transport armaments to Kineton depot. He said steam was used up until 1971. So he confirms that that is what I heard at night as a child.
Is this some secret that no one knows about or is the elderly gentleman wrong with his dates.
Did the MOD have their own steam locos that would have trundled between Long Marston and Kineton until 1971 even though the track had been taken up!!
Looking forward to any answers
Rob Davidson
Views: 761
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Geoff Howard on
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Hi Rob - I worked at Bird Group from about 1972 which is adjacent to the MOD yard at Long Marston. We used to use the sidings there and one of my jobs was checking the trucks we were using with the station master at Long Marston, so I was there fairly regularly. If I recall correctly there were a couple of steam shunters in the Army camp there, but as far as I know they weren't being used.
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Permalink Reply by alwyn sparrow on
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This may help
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Permalink Reply by Rob Davidson on
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Thank you Alwyn
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Permalink Reply by Richard Maund on
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After 1965 Kineton was only accessible via Fenny Compton, so any movements from Long Marston to there by rail would have been circuitous - and certainly not worked by WD/MoD steam locos! The Stratford - Long Marston section also closed, in 1980.
What, please, was the date of the two documents you posted, Alwyn?
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I'm sorry Richard but the documents ( 2 of 6 ) are undated but i would guess early 1970's.
In conjunction with rail tour I believe.
Alwyn.
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Thank you again Richard
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