‘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
Video: Stratford-upon-Avon to Towcester
I have added a video to the site's video page.https://youtu.be/DHCoijWc_t0Continue
Tags: video
Started by Graham Ward Jul 28.
Binton Station
As I was in the vicinity this week I visited my old stamping ground of over sixty years ago, the former SMJ station at Binton. The former goods shed has been demolished, 24 upmarket dwellings have been constructed in the old yard and the former…Continue
Started by Paul Stratford Apr 23.
Would the GCR have gone via Towcester? 14 Replies
Looking through Mac Hawkins book on the GCR then and now, he mentions that the GCR were thinking of running a line connecting Brackley to Northampton and had provisionally made a mound ready for a platform to be later constructed but they dropped…Continue
Started by Gary. Last reply by Andrew Emmerson Apr 18.
EWJR Portland Cement Wagon 13 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 Jim Goodman Apr 18.
SMJ photos
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Andy Thompson
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Andy Thompson's Discussions
Towcester station sign unvieling
1 Reply
Started this discussion. Last reply by Dick Bodily Oct 10, 2019.
Interesting Ebay item
1 Reply
Started this discussion. Last reply by Phil Street Jan 8, 2019.
John Jennings
Started Nov 28, 2018
Andy Thompson's Page
Latest Activity
"Sorry everyone. Occasionally people with dubious intentions slip through the net. That person has been deleted. Keep letting us know! Andy"
Former GC railwaymen's homes at Woodford. The one with bay windows would have been occupied by a foreman.
"Percy Road, the Houses on the right with the bay windows also had drivers in them, Tom Pavey etc. We lived in no 32 on the left, next to Eric Tomalin's family in No 34. My father was a Fitter, Outside Machinery foreman"
Towcester Station (Eric Pickles collection)
"A charming group. Even the horse seems to have risen to the occasion with his pushy: 'hey, don't leave me out' pose."
1963 LCGB Railtour with GWR 63xx and 22xx at Byfield (John Cosford)
"NICE shot - with the shadows and all."
Remains of Salcey Forest SMJ station (winter 1962)
"For some reason this image strikes me as definitely eerie. But then, of course, I am a sensitive dude. Anyone else feel it? "
2P 4-4-0 with Inspectors' train at Stoke Bruerne station circa 1950
"I like that shot - and I like Midland 2Ps - the ones with the 7' driving wheels and narrow chimneys."
8F on Woodford West Curve (John Cosford)
"Who's that bloke day dreaming just feet from a moving train? Who, the fellow in the brown coat, oh, that's me (really)."
Blakesley Hall M R - CWB's engineer Alec Wyatt with Blacolvesley
"I really like the Jones 4-4-4T locomotives of the Metropolitan Railway - except they had outside cylinders. The Met must have been very proud of them at the time they entered service.
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"Another GC book, the 2-volume set of the 'The Late Great Central' - 1960-1964, (an album of GC photographs rather than an illustrated textual work), was donated to Woodford Halse public library a few years ago. I am hoping it is still…"
Towcester station sign unvieling
The unveiling of the Towcester Station Sign!To all our Towcester area members. Can anyone make the following event in Towcester tomorrow representing the society?Quote:"We have decided to do the unveiling ceremony at 4pm tomorrow, Fri 11 Oct, at Towcester Mill Brewery, Chantry Lane, Towcester NN12 6YY."If you go, may we have plenty of photos on the site.Thanks!AndySee More
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
Comment Wall (57 comments)
- At 18:00 on November 8, 2018,
D John Barber said…
Hello Andy.
I have received an e-mail from "James Pollard" who has "added a profile to your profile." and there are several what appear to be genuine links to the SMJ web site.
Hw starts with "Good day. How is everything with you." then says he has "something very vital to you."
I think this is a scam and have not opened any links. I will forward the e-mail to you or another member if you wish.
I cannot find "James Pollard" on the members list. Do you know if any other members have been contacted by him? Perhaps you may have heard of any instances.
Personally, I have now moved to Marsden in West Yorkshire but I still maintain a close interest in the SMJ site and the remains of the old railway itself, especially when we have to return to visit friends and relatives South of the Trent.
Finally, I do not appear to be listed on the members list.
Regards
John Barber
- 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,
- So sorry I forgot to say. David Wellstood.
- At 21:01 on June 19, 2013,
Cheers, Andy.
- At 16:55 on May 20, 2013,
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,
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,
Different view of photo you posted a few days ago, have you seen this?
- At 13:55 on November 18, 2012,
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,
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
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