‘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
Re: 44186 at Fenny Compton 24.4.1955
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Robin Cullup on
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Dear All,
This is the view of 9015 depositing the coaches in the transfer siding at Fenny Compton. As you can see there is a large cast involved in this production - think of all that lovely Sunday overtime.......
Even if this special was packed to the roof, it must have cost more to run than the fares received as it consisted of only four coaches.
Regarding 44186 I wonder whether this loco was week-ending at Stratford and was sent out on this mission?
- rather than coming from Northampton or Blisworth.
It would be good to hear from some-one who was on the train. I have scoured the magazines of that time for a "Tour Report" - but (yet) to no avail.
Oh, and I do not know who took this photo - I picked it up in a box of miscellaneous photographs some years ago, so thank you whoever took it. Sorry to be so late joining this discussion, but other things have been happening.
Regards,
Robin Cullup
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If you are a member of the Branch Line Society one of the older members might have been on this trip?
If you are not a member let me know and Iwill see what I can do.#RegardsDave Hayward
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I am not a member and have never belonged to the Branch Line Society, and this trip was long before I went on such jaunts - more's the pity.
All information will be appreciated.
Robin Cullup
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Permalink Reply by alwyn sparrow on
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Well Robin the date on this ticket fit's the bill, So was it this rail tour in your photograph ?
Alwyn.
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Thanks for this - I know that it was this special working, but the fascinating thing was the shunting of the train at Fenny Compton where the exchange siding between the GW and the SMJ was only quite short. This shunt also employed the 4F seen in the photograph put onto this site by Barry Taylor some months ago, as well as the GW 4-4-0 seen in my photo.
What we are seeking is someone who travelled on this train and can remember the sequence of events at Fenny Compton.
Robin Cullup
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