‘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

NEW BOOK ON THE SMJ - AVAILABLE SHORTLY 6 Replies

Hi allI'm pleased to announce that the first volume of my history of…Continue

Started by Barry Taylor. Last reply by Simon Dunkley 19 hours ago.

Train Simulator SMJ 7 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 Bob hawes Aug 8.

Barry's SMJ book 4 Replies

I see an advert for Volume 1 of Barry Taylor's SMJ history in RM. Apparently it will cover the E&WJR and N&BJR period pre SMJ and is being published by Black Dwarf mid-August, cost &25 plus p.p.Continue

Started by Dick Bodily. Last reply by Dick Bodily Aug 4.

SMJ Section on the Warwickshire Railways website

I have now added more information, much of it generic, to the Warwickshire Railways website. Please review it and advise me if there are any errors.…Continue

Started by mike musson Jul 29.

SMJ section on Warwickshire Railways website

I have now added more information, much of it generic, to the Warwickshire Railways website. Please review it and advise me if there are any errors.…Continue

Started by mike musson Jul 29.

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.

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Andy Thompson
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Dear SMJ site member
4 Replies

Started this discussion. Last reply by Tony Goff Dec 30, 2016.

Your museum needs you!
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Started this discussion. Last reply by Dick Bodily May 25, 2016.

SMJ150. 150 years since the railway arrived at Towcester
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Started this discussion. Last reply by Andy Thompson Apr 6, 2015.

 

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NIGEL commented on Andy Thompson's photo
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Towcester station site 2017

"This parapet was rebuilt a few years ago, due to most of the original one being pushed into the cutting below. I suppose it was cheaper than filling in the cutting. As you can see the bricks are much cleaner, and less weathered, than the ones on the…"
yesterday
George Woodcock commented on Andy Thompson's album
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Towcester station site 2017

"Hello       Very nice Andy, though it is sad to see what has become of the site at least the station and line sort of lives on on John and I's  Towcester layout. Come and see it at Loughborough on September 2nd and 3rd this…"
Jul 27
Andy Thompson posted photos
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18 more…
Jul 27
Andy Thompson posted a status
"Thought you al might like this. http://www.vintag.es/2017/07/evans-auto-railer-bus-that-run-across.html?m=1 Andy"
Jul 6
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Tony Goff replied to Andy Thompson's discussion 'Dear SMJ site member'
"Hello Andy, Can you indicate the current situation regarding costs and funding requirement? Have you had a chance look at alternative lower cost hosting? Regards, Tony"
Dec 30, 2016
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…"
Sep 22, 2016
Mike Smith replied to Andy Thompson's discussion 'Dear SMJ site member'
"Hi, I am happy to pay a cost towards the up keep"
Sep 21, 2016
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…"
Sep 20, 2016
Andy Thompson posted a discussion

Dear 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
Sep 20, 2016
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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"
Aug 21, 2016
Dick Bodily replied to Andy Thompson's discussion 'Your museum needs you!'
"What July 2016!"
May 25, 2016
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."
May 25, 2016
A video by Andy Thompson was featured

The 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...
Apr 17, 2016
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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

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At 13:04 on July 6, 2017, Andy Thompson said…
Thought you all might like this. http://www.vintag.es/2017/07/evans-auto-railer-bus-that-run-across.html?m=1
Andy
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.

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