‘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"
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
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
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.
Shall we bring this discussion under the proper heading!So far as the OS plan surveyed 1885, published 1886, is concerned: the OS liked - wherever they could - to have text running parallel to the top and bottom borders. When they came to add the…Continue
Started by Richard Maund. Last reply by Richard Maund Feb 10.
It was being lived in a by a railwayman at the time, but needed quite a lot of work. He let us wander round on one occasion. Some of the slates on the roof used for repairs came from Salcey Forest when it was demolished.April 5 1966.
Gosh, this is so encouragingly well preserved and complete - so ripe for demolition and 'redevelopment'. They built them to last back then, didn't they? To me it is part and parcel of education (one of the most important activities any nation can concern itself with surely) that a government should take a keen interest in all aspects of heritage deserving of restoration and preservation - and conducive to it, not slink away and leave it to the goodwill of heritage enthusiasts. Industry may be thin on the ground now, but it and the railways were once the cornerstone of the nation's life and well-being. Forget funding that fine statue of some rich, loved and hated, probably dead, not-altogether-honest politician, get some new windows, roof and doors in this place - whoever it actually belongs to. Few castles and stately homes are still in possession of the original owner, such national treasures get passed on down the generations. Isn't it great that when the call goes out for funding for a heritage project, say, to restore an ailing Flying Scotsman to perfect health, individual donations and National Heritage lottery fund supporters poured more than four million into the project? Kudos to every one of them. Just one opinion, of course.
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