‘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"

Welcome to
The SMJ Society

Or sign in with:

SMJ Forum

Funny Story about Kineton Military Railway 1 Reply

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 Apr 28.

Blisworth - Towcester ETS working

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

Started by Richard Maund Apr 20.

Blisworth 1920

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

Started by Richard Maund Apr 20.

Evesham Redditch & Stratford-upon-Avon Junction Railway 8 Replies

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.

SMJ photos

Photos not found on the Web Site

Hello,

Out of historical interest in the railways around Blisworth, I searched
pictures on the SMJR web site and as far as I am aware, the attached are not
at least displayed. I was lent the originals some 35 years ago for copying
by the then postmaster of Abthorpe PO. I once lived, there, a small village
situated between Towcester an Wappenham. They were taken upon the closure of
the line and the picture of Wappenham station is of the very last train to
run on the line. They are NOT of my copyright and I do not know who took
them? Maybe the local press?

My interest in the line is because I once also lived in Blisworth and
ravelled on the line I believe out to Bicester? Also some horses my parents
bought came up from Devon, via Oxford and the SMJR in order to avoid the
dangers of Nazi bombing over London, and eventually they arrived at
Blisworth Station. Motorised Horse boxes as we know them today, were not
available in 1941/2.

Having started off with my interests in railways at about age four, (I am
now almost 82), and then as a serious modeller in Gauge One live steam and
then after many years my interest was rekindled onto OO and onto 009 Narrow
Gauge. Both 4mm scale. I am now re-living my youth with a model, under
construction in OO, based very closely on Blisworth Station which was of
course a terminus of the SMJR.

I hope the pictures are of interest,

John Mudd