‘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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Funny Story about Kineton Military Railway 1 Reply

An improbable, funny, but absolutely true story relating to the Kineton military railway.Long after my Army days I still retained an affection and passing interest in Kineton ammunition depot where I served during the 1960s. Coupled to a 'love' of…Continue

Started by Dave Hayward. Last reply by Dave Hayward 43 minutes ago.

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 Apr 20.

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 Apr 20.

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.

SMJ photos

More 1960 News

Just to say that in the June RCTS Railway Observer "Nostalgia Corner" there is another feature on 40 years ago.

It concerns the opening of the new spur from the SMJ at Stratford to the GWR with consequent rationalising of signalboxes (due to take palce on June 13).

This new connection was seen as bad news for the Stratford to Broom section of the SMJ.

The article mentions various trains used for learning the new route from Woodford to Honeybourne and mentions Woodford L1 tanks 67740/71 (I remember the latter on the Banbury shuttle). Also 43106 (another Woodford engine - I hadn't realised that these were shedded there) and 48402 (a Tysley engine) running between Banbury and Stratford (presumably using the connection at Fenny Compton?).

Interestingly, and surprisingly, between midnight and 5am on an April Sunday thirty freight trains ran between Broom and Stratford and vice versa.