‘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
MORTON PINKNEY LEVEL CROSSING 12 Replies
There was a public level crossing between Blakesley and Morton Pinkney, complete with a gatehouse.Does anyone know how this was operated?Presumably the gates must have been manual and kept closed against road traffic.Early Working Timetables mention…Continue
Started by Barry Taylor. Last reply by Ian Merivale on Monday.
SMJ rides again? Broom to Stratford Greenway Proposal
From Bidford on Avon Parish council comes news of the Avon and Arrow Greenway Project whose latest newsletter is here: August 2020 AAGP…Continue
Started by Simon Stevens Sep 14.
Bidford-on-Avon station photos 2 Replies
Hello folks - I'm interested in sourcing any historical photos of Bidford-on-Avon station and wondering if anyone here could help point me in the right direction? (There are a few on…Continue
Started by Greg Wye. Last reply by Greg Wye Aug 30.
Stored coaches 4 Replies
This query arises from a discussion on another site (Disused Railway and Stations around Northamptonshire).There has been recent reference to coaches stored on the SMJ and a statement in Bylines March 12th issue that there were over three hundred…Continue
Started by Alan Brant. Last reply by Ian Mathews Aug 16.
SMJ photos
Walking the SMJ
Careful scrutiny of the 1:25000 maps on Streetmap suggests that very little of the SMJ trackbed is a public right-of-way. There are short sections near Roade and Kineton and one or two places where there is an adjacent footpath. Can anyone advise of any other sections where it is acceptable to walk without risk of being confronted by an angry farmer?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike Burrows on
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There is about a mile of the track bed that is a community park North of Tiffield. Going North from Tiffield there is a left turn over the railway bridge. Just over the bridge is a staircase leading down to the track way.
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Hello Michael,
Our 1/2 mile stretch of the SMJ trackbed is now a nature reserve, supported by the Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire volunteers. They, and my husband`s hard toil has transformed it from a dark tunnel of mainly Hawthorn on the embankments with nothing growing under them to a wonderful wildlife haven.
Even Grass Snakes on the embankments now spotted for 1st time in our 52 years here.
Should anyone want to walk it, yes it is private for now with a public footpath over, but just give us a ring
on 01789 773653 We would be delighted to see you. Jean.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Roake on
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Hi Jean, many thanks for the info and invitation - the photos look great - will definitely visit when we have an opportunity, Regards Mike
Jean Cholerton said:Hello Michael,
Our 1/2 mile stretch of the SMJ trackbed is now a nature reserve, supported by the Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire volunteers. They, and my husband`s hard toil has transformed it from a dark tunnel of mainly Hawthorn on the embankments with nothing growing under them to a wonderful wildlife haven.
Even Grass Snakes on the embankments now spotted for 1st time in our 52 years here.
Should anyone want to walk it, yes it is private for now with a public footpath over, but just give us a ring
on 01789 773653 We would be delighted to see you. Jean.
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Good question!
Broom Junction station site is easily accessible for the moment; from there you can walk north to Alcester or south to Salford Priors along the remains of the Gloucester Loop Line. The southern curve of the Broom junction triangle is not a right-of-way but can be walked.
The line from the Arrow river bridge at Broom up to Bidford Road bridge is a nature reserve with a path.
In Stratford, you can walk the old line from near the racecourse entrance to the Greenway roundabout and Seven Meadows Road is built on the trackbed.
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