‘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"
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 on Sunday.
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.
It has been a VERY long time since I had the chance to read something yu write. What a great surprise - but then I recalled that you run a great big chunk of history at Stoke Bruerne. It was a great pleasure to read you essay on nicknames. May-be M-ways do have nick-names - I've never heard of one but perhaps the emergency service discussion group could enlighten us? Is there a Police/Fire/Ambulance site - one for each county perhaps? Well - you never know.
Running 'C' headcode vacums from Bristol to London ove the SMJ always seemed a grand idea. But does anyone knw what happened at Broom Junction? Did the railway have another engine waiting there to take over because otherwise there would have been a lot of mils running tender first.
Another name for the DN&S, at Didcot at any rate was 'The Gold Coast'. That has reberverations with The Klondyke'. Gold - Maybe this refers to large amounts of overtime earned whilst working across it??
Mention of Didcot - The Up Goods Loop from Didcot East Jc to Moreton Cutting was always called 'The Gully' .
And of course there were dozens of goods trains with nicknames - and some passenger. I recall the 9.25 p.m Paddington was known as 'Paddy's Mail in our part and I suppose all along its route. 'The 'Down Owl' was another late night train - perhaps (can't recall properly) the 10.30 p.m Paddington - the Penzance sleeper. By contrast we had 'The Up Waker' which was an overnight Penzance - Paddington sleeper via Bristol that came through ours around 5.45 a.m. So that name was probably a fairly local one.