‘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"
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 on Sunday.
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
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
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.
The first five vehicles appear to be Ex-NER 2-plank dropside wagons. They could be either Diag. B1 built 1895 York, or Diag. B15 built 1920 York. There are no discernible company initials so presumably they could be in use as service vehicles. The man behind the abutment wall (top right) is Tom Burton, railway bricklayer.
My grandad worked as one of a small team of full time brickies working for the SMJ and later on the SMJ route for the LMS until 1933. He specialised in bridge and culvert work and isn't seen in these pictures so that would suggest that they were taken sometime after 1932 if they were of the SMJ. One of the stories he used to tell was that he didn't need his pocket watch when they were working near the GC line as the GC expresses especially the 'Sam Fay' were such good time keepers taht he could use their whistles to tell when to knock off or have a break.
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