"In E&WJR and early SMJR days before the outbreak of The Great War special trains were run to Blakesley Show. Other specials were provided, presumably from Woodford, to take contestants to the Great Central Railway workers' ambulance cup…"
‘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
Train Simulator SMJ 6 Replies
For those interested in the Train Simulator 2014 side of life... I've begun modelling the SMJ railway in the route creator/editor, using terrain from imported Google Earth and imagery of the line from the SMJ days. As you'd expect, the route is…Continue
Started by Richard Woods. Last reply by NIGEL Jun 12.
Planning Application for Binton Station Site 5 Replies
I've just been told by friends from Welford that there's a planning application to redevelop the Binton Station site:Binton Station Planning…Continue
Started by Simon Stevens. Last reply by Rob Davidson Jun 2.
Trespasser sign 4 Replies
Hello All.Brought myself a trespasser sign to restore. I have seen in it three colors....Black on white.White on black.White on red.Not sure which one is correct, which would be the authentic color please?I have been told white on black.Thanks.Alan.Continue
Started by alan wilson. Last reply by alan wilson Apr 27.
Updating the SMJ content on the Warwickshire Railways website
Hi everyone.I am in the process of updating the SMJ section of the website. Having learnt my lesson a few years ago when John Jennings took me to task for confusing the location of Clifford Sidings and Ettington Limeworks, I would appreciate any…Continue
Started by mike musson Apr 25.
6800 at Byfield
I will be moving from LNWR/GNR territory at Peterborough to Byfield in May, I have had a poor copy of the attached photo for…Continue
Started by John Douglas Apr 16.
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Andy Thompson
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Andy Thompson's Discussions
Dear SMJ site member
4 Replies
Started this discussion. Last reply by Tony Goff Dec 30, 2016.
Your museum needs you!
6 Replies
Started this discussion. Last reply by Dick Bodily May 25, 2016.
SMJ150. 150 years since the railway arrived at Towcester
12 Replies
Started this discussion. Last reply by Andy Thompson Apr 6, 2015.
Andy Thompson's Page
Latest Activity
Dave Hayward replied to Andy Thompson's discussion 'Dear SMJ site member'"Andy,
I did reply elsewhere that I would subscribe but note comments above.
I also asked if you could email me as I wanted to contact you by email re the Northamptonshire Heritage Strategy. I consider railways are a very significant part of the…"
Mike Smith replied to Andy Thompson's discussion 'Dear SMJ site member'"Hi, I am happy to pay a cost towards the up keep"
Jack Freuville replied to Andy Thompson's discussion 'Dear SMJ site member'"Hello Andy and Peter
I read your E-mail with interest
It is quite normal to pay for the costs of a club activity and will readily contribute but have some…"
Andy Thompson posted a discussionDear SMJ site member
Dear SMJ site member,Firstly, a big "Thank You" from all those of you who have helped make the SMJ site what it is today... a considerable and growing resource on the history of this enigmatic line.The archives are brimming with photographs and other memoirs, all adding to the historical record, and putting flesh on the bones, if not trains on the track!Of course, we know that you will realize that anything worthwhile has a cost...and we like to think that you think that this project is…See More
Tim Roy commented on Andy Thompson's page Rail Tours"I have just added an Album of 5 photographs of the 27/5/61 Gloucester RS (railtour from Gloucester Eastgate) SMJR Blisworth - Stratford Midland Compound 1000"
NIGEL replied to Andy Thompson's discussion 'Your museum needs you!'"Update on the railway exhibition at Towcester museum. This is now due to open on the first week of July."
A video by Andy Thompson was featuredThe Stratford Upon Avon & Midland Junction Railway - The whole line in 2011
http://www.smj.meThe SMJ was a small enigmatic line which ran across the empty heart of Northamptonshire and Warwickshire. Born out of a the 19th century rai...
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Thank you for popping by!
My love for the SMJ started with a pint of milk! As we walked into the door of Towcester's Tesco's, my brother said "of course you know this is where the station was!" That was it! I was bitten! 5 years on I have written articles on the SMJ, I give talks and the website has taken on yet another new look - I hope you enjoy it! Andy - Email me
Andy Thompson's photos
Andy Thompson's Videos
Comment Wall (55 comments)
- At 15:54 on December 4, 2014, NIGEL said…
Hello Andy, with all that's going on at the moment as regards North End & Warwick Road stations, I have to report that an error has been made.
Photographic and map evidence of Burton Dassett platform put it on the Eastern side of Bridge 66, on the old A41 road, opposite the old sidings.
I reference Warwickshire Railways photo smjbd7, which is of the old abandoned platform building. The caption should read ' Looking West towards Kineton ' . I must admit that I have read articles that state this platform was between the bridge and the EHLR junction, but clearly this was wrong. This means that the bridge numbers index is correct at this point.
- At 15:01 on August 1, 2014, Rachael Cox said…
- So sorry I forgot to say. David Wellstood.
- At 21:01 on June 19, 2013, Ron Johnson said…
Cheers, Andy.
- At 16:55 on May 20, 2013, ray hughes said…
Hello Andy thank you for welcoming me to smjr railway society I look forward to enjoying beeing a member
Best wishes Ray
- At 14:17 on December 14, 2012, daniel pettman said…
many thanks, i have spent ages looking at the images.
unfortunately i was born to late to see anything other than the carnage left after beeching.
i am at a loss to try and find images or track layout for chacombe / chalcombe halt. there are one or two images of the station in the george & dragon - but no real links have been found on the web... i wonder if any members have any clues....
kind regards daniel
- At 19:01 on December 9, 2012, NIGEL said…
Different view of photo you posted a few days ago, have you seen this?
- At 13:55 on November 18, 2012, Dr Francis Dalrymple-Hamilton said…
thanks for this Andy. has anybody researched the opening and closing dates of signal boxes on the SMJ?
- At 23:11 on August 30, 2012, les gee said…
Hi Andy,thanks for the welcome,just been trying to find any pictures at all of the SMJ between Cockley and Helmdon, not had much luck so thought would try here.
Les
- At 8:46 on August 12, 2012, Graeme Belbin said…
Thanks for the welcome, Andy. I acquired the loco in the mid '80s. It was built by Jack Esdaile in the early 60s. He was one of Esdaile and sons who made scientific instruments from about 1919. They are best known for their various instruments used on the construction of Sydney Harbour Bridge including a cable tension measurer which enabled the two arches to be hung out over the harbour to meet in the middle.I'm predominantly into narrow gauge and own a little Baldwin loco built in 1889 which I operate up at Toronto, north of Sydney. I also make rail DVDs for a living.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rktvK9E2eys&list=UUjFlhmV5OlH-qjU1_HOaKkA&index=8&feature=plcp
If this link doesn't work, do a search on Youtube for belbinvideo channel.
Sorry to prattle on so much about myself. My family has strong connections with the English railways also which I'll save for another time.
- At 7:59 on June 17, 2012, Peter William Reynolds said…
Andy,Thanks for the welcome but you and I have communicated before. I'm the Reynolds who sent you pictures of the Birmingham museum layout and the loco in Gayton quarries. It just that when I signed in I used the full "credit card" name without thinking. I'm the Bill Reynolds of those communications!
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