‘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
Concrete sleepers 2 Replies
I've been looking at the trackwork at Byfield station and it looks like concrete sleepers (late 50's). Would this be correct? If so, would the points still be wooden sleepers?Thanks in advanceCliveContinue
Started by Clive. Last reply by Clive Aug 1.
EWJR Portland Cement Wagon 11 Replies
Hello All,I found this item on ebay, although it's a model, what I'd like to know is, was it actually based on the real thing? As you can see it has the initials EWJR and return empty to Ettington, which all fits in with the real world.It was listed…Continue
Started by Jim Goodman. Last reply by Mark Reader Jun 11.
The Roade Connection 2 Replies
There seem to be several big questions about the SMJ.Tiffield station: did it exist, for how long and where exactly was it?Why build stations at Salcey Forest and Stoke Bruerne, and why such substantial buildings?But the biggest one seems to be the…Continue
Started by peter fleming. Last reply by Richard Denny May 19.
Stored coaches 3 Replies
This query arises from a discussion on another site (Disused Railway and Stations around Northamptonshire).There has been recent reference to coaches stored on the SMJ and a statement in Bylines March 12th issue that there were over three hundred…Continue
Started by Alan Brant. Last reply by Alan Brant Apr 30.
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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