‘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
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 Apr 28.
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
SMJ No 1 and Colonel Stephens
It has always been a mystery why the good colonel named this loco 'Morous' when he bought it from the SMJ in 1910 for the Shropshire and Montgomeryshire. One theorist claims it was after a Welsh poet but frankly, the Shropshire borders aren't that packed with welsh speakers Stephens generally stuck to Greek and Latin classics for his loco names. Apparently, there was also another nameplate at Kinnerley works titled Murous.
Judging by some of his letters and memos, Stephens' spelling and grammar wasn't that immaculate, so I wonder if the whole thing was a joke on his part. The two new engines built for the line were Pyramus and Thisbe (later given to two replacements). The SMJ described itself as 'The Shakespeare Line' and what came between Pyramus and Thisbe, the star-crossed lovers in 'Midsummer Night's Dream" ? A wall - and the latin for wall is Murus. Perhaps after the plate makers had had two unsuccessful goes at getting it right, Stephens (ever thrifty) said 'to heck with it, use that plate anyway and keep them guessing'.
Not of direct relevance to SMJ history perhaps but part of the history of a gallant little engine.
Peter Phillips
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