‘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"


.

SMJ Forum

NEW BOOK ON THE SMJ - AVAILABLE SHORTLY 24 Replies

Hi allI'm pleased to announce that the first volume of my history of…Continue

Started by Barry Taylor. Last reply by John Evans Dec 1.

John Jennings

Following the sad loss of John Jennings, a stalwart of the SMJ and our society, Mike Musson set up a page on his site. The whole sit is well worth a visit as it overlaps with us here at the SMJ society     Go take a look…Continue

Started by Andy Thompson Nov 28.

The SMJR Great War Roll of Honour 12 Replies

Many of you will be aware that in common with all other railway companies the SMJR lost many of its employees for all or part of the Great War as the patriotic duty to volunteer was overwhelming.  Railwaymen were technically exempt but many chose to…Continue

Tags: of, Honour, Roll, War, SMJR

Started by John Jennings. Last reply by Jim Brown Nov 23.

Warley Poster

Interesting to see Broom Junction layout photo on posters and adverts for the Warley Model Railway Show this weekend.Continue

Started by Dick Bodily Nov 21.

SMJ photos

  • Add Photos
  • View All

The Final Day

 

 


Under BR, the former SMJ went into stagnation and very little effort was made to run the line economically. By 1947 the passenger service to Broom from Stratford had already gone. Passenger numbers fell and talk of closures filled the air. July 1951 saw the withdrawal of the Blisworth and Banbury passenger service and April 1952 saw the end of passenger services between Blisworth and Stratford.

  • 07:12 43568 + 1 coach Stratford To Blisworth
  • 08:55 Blisworth to Stratford
  • 10:43 Stratford to Blisworth
  • 12:45 44567 + 2 coaches Blisworth to Stratford
  • 18:40 44525 + 5 coaches Startford to Blisworth
  • 18:50 44568 + 1 coach leaves Blisworth for Stratford



Words posted on a poster at Helmdon station near the end of services

" Closing of Helmdon Village and Wappenham Passenger Stations; On and from Monday 2nd July 1951 the passenger train service between Blisworth and Banbury will be withdrawn and Helmdon Village and Wappenham Stations will be closed for passengers. Alternative facilities for passengers are provided in this area by the various Omnibus services"



Closure of line

  • Woodford South Curve 22.10.1900
  • Roade Curve 24.5.1917
  • Cockley Brake Jcn - Towcester 12.7.1953
  • Towcester - Ravenstobe Wood Jcn 28.6.1958
  • Broom Jcn - Stratford 13.6.1960
  • Woodford West Jcn - Blisworth Ironstone 3.2.1964
  • Burton Dassett - Stratford 1.3.1965
  • Fenny Compton - Byfield Ironstone June 1965
  • Blisworth Ironstone - Blisworth 30.9.1967




44567 At Stratford, 4.5.52. The 2:06 train



Click here to see more 'Final Days' images



Find more photos like this on "The Unofficial SMJ Society" at www.smj.me

If you have any information or photos, sign up and leave us a comment

Add a Comment

You need to be a member of The SMJ Society to add comments!

Join The SMJ Society

© 2018   Created by Andy Thompson.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service