‘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
SMJ seats at York Museum ?
I took my grandson to the National Railway Museum on Dec. 30th and noticed two bench seats, of the type found on station platforms until traditional stations were replaced with bus-shelters. Both bear the title " STRATFORD " - I'll try and upload…Continue
Started by Paul Atherton Jan 5.
More building at Towcester 2 Replies
I hear there has been more building at the station site in Towcester.Anyone know what they've dug up?…Continue
Tags: Towcester
Started by Andy Thompson. Last reply by Nigel Nov 7, 2024.
Broom History Group Event 9th November 2024
Broom History Group will be holding an event at Broom Village Hall 2-4pm on 9th November 2024 including a film on the railway and Broom Junction.…Continue
Started by Simon Stevens Oct 25, 2024.
Misunderstanding Easton Neston 2 Replies
Hello, I'm a new member and I've searched through the articles and can't find anything specific to my answer/ question. Can anyone help?…Continue
Started by Matt Davis. Last reply by Matt Davis Oct 16, 2024.
SMJ photos
LMS Webb 2-4-2T Autotrain near Blisworth on WCML
Taken by Les Hanson this showsb the auto-train on the Up Main at Blisworth. Is it just traversing the main line from the Northampton branch to the SMJ platforms (or vice versa) - or is it coming from Weedon, Daventry or even Leamington Spa?
Comments would oblige.
Robin Cullup
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Comment by Dick Bodily on November 13, 2009 at 16:27
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Robin
I've seen this picture before, its in Derek Mutton's book 'Off Northampton Shed' as well. The train was working from Leamington to Northampton Castle (via Weedon then the WCML to Blisworth, then reversal and on to Castle). It was almost certainly a race special in connection with Warwick Races. Normal services on this service would have consisted of a Webb tank and just one 2 coach auto train. This looks lke Gayton Loop, between Blisworth and Banbury Lane Crossing. I can't think where else there were 4 tracks between Blisworth and Weedon. As a child I recall seeing 46666 of this class on a Blisworth train at Castle station. The 2 pictures of the same or similar train at Towcester were also almost certainly race specials.
Dick
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