‘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 ? 1 Reply
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. Last reply by Simon Dunkley Feb 22.
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
BRICKLAYING GANG ON BRIDGE (2)
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.
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Comment by Dick Bodily on May 5, 2015 at 19:55
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No NIgel, he's definitely not in that one neither
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Comment by NIGEL on May 4, 2015 at 18:11
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Dick, could your grandfather be amongst the men in the Bricklayers group photo just posted ?
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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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