Hi Andy,

Thanks for the welcome. I live in Kingsthorpe, Northampton.

A multitude of factors have brought about a fascination in the SMJ which is why I found your excellent website and decided to join the society.

My father instilled a passion for railways in me from my earliest childhood years. My particular interest has changed from trains (and weekends spent on the end of platforms!) towards an almost obsessional thirst for knowledge of disused/dismantled railways and associated railway history - specifically of my locale, though my remit seems to be expanding further afield!

Since I began working in Towcester a few years ago my journey to work following the old Northampton-Blisworth line, the ironstone quarries near Gayton, the site of the former brickworks and past the embankments of the SMJ have held me intrigued. It always bewildered me that Towcester doesn't have a train station - then like you, I found out it did!

Country walks with my wife across southern parts of Northants soon unravelled plenty more to feed my inquisitiveness. Alas, my wife shares little of my passion for defunt railways but a shared love of our area and the great outdoors has meant I have a willing companion to conduct investigations. As I was born too late to see Britain's railways at their most fullsome it is perhaps understandable that the current state of the SMJ is what I most wish to see. I see many members have walked most of the trackbed as it stands today.

My father was only too happy to share his books, maps and memories of the SMJ as well as looking forward to joining me on my explorations. I intend to post findings on this website. I should be able to persuade my father to join our ranks as well!

Ross

   Is my photo of the signalman with Harold Stones on the platform at Blakesley your uncle Frank Reynolds then?

Ian Lyman

Andy,

Many thanks for the welcome. I grew up in Blakesley and was lucky enough to spend most saturday mornings prior to closure in the signal box as my uncle, frank reynolds, was the signalman at the time. I even managed a few trips on the morning pick up to woodford west.  Trying to find my old number books and photo,s

Stuart

Hi andy

Pleased i found this site i moved to bicester in april and have researched disused railwatys in this area i have always been interested in railways past present and future im not an anorak but share a love of trains model and real with many others now have to young gransons that equally love trains i hope to carry on exploring this area

Thanks for the welcome

Steve

Dear Andy,

Many thanks for the welcome,

Matthew

I am the Planning, Parterships and External Resrouces Direcetor for the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.

I thought that you and your members might like to know that 43924 made a highly satisfactory test run yesterday evening from Oakworth to Oxenhope and back, three times.  A picture is available on the 'news' section of the KWVR website www. KWVR.co.uk

Thank you Andy. Been looking at this site for some time now and walking the track. I am very curious to see a photo of the old A5 bridge immediately west of Towcester Station. Can't seem to find one. Cheers, RG.