‘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
SMJ newly ballasted
This could well be the same place as the pic of 44317 - the track is newly ballasted again. Obviously taken from a bridge, but which one? Ridge & furrow fields to the left with haystacks, and a low, flat, horizon in the background. Strong shadows so this is probably an evening shot looking east.
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Comment by Henry on July 26, 2020 at 23:45
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The cast iron marker on the Southam road was taken by a collector in the 80s much to the disgust of the locals. A legal challenge apparently proved the collector had permission from SDC but I believe he promised to return it at some point...
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Thanks again Alwyn - I think that we have this one - and probably the 4F photo - sorted now. Our photographer took a lot of pics like this - he called them 'just bits of line' ! - but they are now of great historical importance. Fortunately most are identified......!
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Comment by alwyn sparrow on March 26, 2013 at 19:47
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Barry,
Yes sorry I meant looking west.There was a occupation bridge at Chadshunt down Watery Lane .I walked this section in 1967-8 after the track had been lifted.The ballast was pretty clean then.Some of the trackbed has been swept away along this section, it now being returned to agricultural use.Also along the Southam road between Gaydon and Chadshunt I can remember a old cast iron mileage marker stating the distance to Kineton station.
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Hi Alwyn - thanks for this. Presumably you meant to say looking west? This then seems to fit with the Edge Hills away on the extreme left - I've had a look on Google street view at the present day scene, and although the railway bridge seems to have gone, the distant view towards the hills looks just right. I had assumed that long shadows meant an evening view looking east, but it looks as though our photographer must have got up early.
I reckon that the accompanying shot of the 4F on the same newly ballasted section could be at the same location looking the other way from the lineside, and this would account for the 'against the light' nature of the photo if he was looking into the early morning sun. Most of his shots in that area are from the 1957/8 period, and a working timetable of that era shows an Olney to Stratford freight due at Burton Dassett around 9.45am - the working started off at Bedford and this would tie in with 44317's allocation.
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Look's like it's the section between Burton Dasset and Kineton at Chadshunt heading east. Top left of picture
seem's to be the Edge Hill escarpment. This section was upgraded in late 50s by the Western Region in conjunction with new connection at Stratford for the Iron ore traffic
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