‘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
Burton Dassett Cableway 1 Reply
Please find attached a copy of the OS 6" map 1888 - 1913 series that illustrates the subject cable-way (called a tramway on the map) and also the Burton Dassett sidings. This cable-way is mentioned by Arthur Jordan in hos book on the SMJ at pp45, he…Continue
Started by Dave Hayward. Last reply by Mark Reader Feb 22.
Greetings from Bidford & a question re. Arrow river bridge at Broom 6 Replies
Hello everyone, I've just signed up. I'm a lifelong railway enthusiast originally from Dorset; my earliest memory is of being on the train from Wareham to Swanage. I see a few familiar names on here so some of you may know me from the Scalefour…Continue
Started by Simon Stevens. Last reply by Simon Stevens Jan 22.
Banbury Merton Road Shed and Britannia Works Tramway 8 Replies
By any chance does anybody have a reasonable photograph of Banbury Merton Road Loco Shed? If so I would like to include into some private research I am intending to share with a small informal group of enthusiasts, it would be greatly…Continue
Started by Dave Hayward. Last reply by Colin Franklin Dec 30, 2020.
Michael Mccarthy 2 Replies
I too have received this unusual email, I would think that it a scam. This is the second time I have received it and will always delete it.Continue
Started by Paul Loveday. Last reply by Nicholas Hemming Dec 30, 2020.
SMJ photos
Roade Br166 Hartwell
This is bridge 166 on the Hartwell road out of Roade - as suggested by Jim this might be the unidentified pic location - the view is looking down from the bridge towards the camera. In the distance can just be seen the white water tower that still stands next to the WCML at Roade. This bridge has now totally gone, along with most traces of the trackbed.
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Comment by Mike Smith on November 4, 2015 at 23:07
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This started my interest in the SMJ, I live right where this bridge use to be and always wondered what it looked like
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I know of bridge 157 between Showsley and Stoke Bruerne and bridge 168 between Hartwell and the M1 are both single arched bridges that could accommodate double track, although some of the underline bridges around Easton Neston are definitely not for double track.
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I think that you are right Richard - I've blown up the original shot and you can just about make out the shape. Looking at one or two of the other (single span) bridges on the route, they could also have accommodated double. I wonder why some were built as double arches and others not - must be an obvious answer that I am not thinking of. Perhaps we should also add the 'style ' of each bridge to the bridges list on the website as an historical record - oh dear - another little project!
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Looking at it, it's definitely a double arched bridge, if you look closely enough on the right of the visible arch, you can just see the edge of a second arch, and also the bridge parapet continues to the right way beyond the visible arch, long enough to include a second one. And the design is identicle to the Ashton Road bridge, which was built for double track use, making it highly likely that a bridge just 300 yards down the line would also be built for proposed double track, even though double track was never implemented. Richard
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Glad to be of help Richard!
Actually. looking at this pic more closelyI now wonder whether this bridge was a single arch type - or was it a twin arch like the one across the Ashton road? The undergrowth here obscures the view, and certainly the trackbed is only single line width, but I wonder whether it was constructed like the other one for possible double track?
Anyone out there know?
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Marvellous! I've been wondering about this bridge for a number of years!
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