"I would be keen on getting hold of the DVD too.David"
‘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
2F WDs working to Bristol 5 Replies
In the 1950s/60s we had a regular working of a 2F Woodford Halse WD to Bristol. I was always intrigued by how they got there. Does anybody know if that was via the SMJR please?Continue
Started by Bob Bishop. Last reply by CLIVE BOARDMAN on Friday.
DVD on the SMJ 2 Replies
HiI’m looking for a copy of the film “The Stratford Upon Avon & Midland Junction Railway” edited by Hillside Publishing some time ago.This company is now out of business and cannot be called upon to get a copy.If possible, I would wish to…Continue
Started by Jack Freuville. Last reply by David Mead Nov 24.
Talk to Welford Local History Society
I live in Welford on Avon which now incorporates the former Binton Station with its recent housing development.The local history society is currently planning its 2022/23 programme of events and talks and would be keen to include a talk on the…Continue
Started by John Read Oct 8.
Broom Junction station site for sale 2 Replies
Great opportunity for an SMJ enthusiast perhaps. I'm not sure what you could actually do with this site though!…Continue
Started by Simon Stevens. Last reply by Simon Stevens Oct 4.
SMJ photos
Jack Freuville's Discussions
DVD on the SMJ
2 Replies
HiI’m looking for a copy of the film “The Stratford Upon Avon & Midland Junction Railway” edited by Hillside Publishing some time ago.This company is now out of business and cannot be called upon…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by David Mead Nov 24.
Aircraft crash
8 Replies
HelloI’m intrigued by the statement found in Wikipedia08/12/1944 Wellington LN845 –C of 11 OTU overshot a forced landing at RAF Stratford and ran onto the railway at the end of the runway. The…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Jack Freuville Feb 16, 2020.
Fowler 3F 2-6-2T
2 Replies
HelloWould anybody have any information on Fowler 3P 2-6-2T running on the SMJR and are there any photos availableBest regardsJackContinue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Dick Bodily Sep 26, 2019.
Jack Freuville's Page
Latest Activity
"Hi Jack
I have a spare unused copy of 'The Shakespeare Route - The SMJ' DVD, as I had to purchase three from the supplier 'Wolverton Rail' to make it worthwhile for them to record new set of copies. Apparently the original…"
DVD on the SMJ
HiI’m looking for a copy of the film “The Stratford Upon Avon & Midland Junction Railway” edited by Hillside Publishing some time ago.This company is now out of business and cannot be called upon to get a copy.If possible, I would wish to transfer the data of the DVD in mp4 format via internet?Thanks to the Brexit it has become extremely expensive to purchase anything from the UK and have it sent to Belgium.For info after paying the goods from a UK supplier, including the local VAT in…See More
Way in
Hi thereI hope you are all in good health.A question about passenger access to stations such as Fenny Compton.Apparently, these station buildings had no entrance doors and access was only from the platform side.I imagine passengers would come up from the level crossing side.My souvenirs of train travel long ago are that platform access was strictly limited and to accompany or greet a traveller you needed to purchase a platform ticket.How was this managed by the SMJ / LMS / BR?Best regardsJackSee More
"Hi Gary
Since these photos of Brussels airport are not SMJ related, do you wish me to put them on this site or send them to you by mail; in which case could I have your E-mail; mine is jfreuville@gmail.com"
"I used to know someone who lived at Wood End and they had a bucket of bits that kept turning up in the fields from this tragedy. I have a couple of pieces at home which act as a reminder of such troubled times."
"I would indeed be interested thank you."
"Not as dramatic from a railway point of view but very tragic, three USAF Flying Fortresses on an in formation training flight from Snetterton collided above the SMJ between Blakesley and Moreton Pinkney on 11th October 1944. Two came down…"
"Hi Gary
Thanks for this very interesting information.
I read somewhere that following this accident a signal was installed on the SMJR line and that this signal was operated by the airfield control tower; a seemingly unique case in Air / Rail…"
"My two passions in one place - trains and aeroplanes...According to the narrative in "Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses Vol 7" by W R Chorley.
"T/o 1955 Wescott for a night cross country. Reported to have landed roughly at 2200,…"
"Thanks Simon
I got confused with the other RAF airfield at Wellesbourne"
"RAF Atherstone's runway did end adjacent to the SMJ line - modern OS map so there could be a grain of truth in the story"
Aircraft crash
HelloI’m intrigued by the statement found in Wikipedia08/12/1944 Wellington LN845 –C of 11 OTU overshot a forced landing at RAF Stratford and ran onto the railway at the end of the runway. The aircraft was only lightly damaged until it was hit by a locomotive! F/Sgt C R Wagstaffe RNZAF and his crew were unhurt.If you look at a map RAF Atherstone or Wellesbourne is about 3 km from the SMJ line; that’s quite some “overshooting”Best regardsJackSee More
"This is a new one on me, however a few were allocated to Bedford at different times so I suppose it is possible that one could have worked onto the Olney branch of the SMJ, possibly on an inspection train, but this is just my guesswork?…"
"Correction:I mean a Fowler 3P 2-6-2T..."
Fowler 3F 2-6-2T
HelloWould anybody have any information on Fowler 3P 2-6-2T running on the SMJR and are there any photos availableBest regardsJackSee More
Jack Freuville's photos
Comment Wall (2 comments)
- At 11:49 on March 12, 2015,
Terry Dorrity said…
Hi Jack,
I've lived in Brussels since 1980 and am, also, retired. As I told you, I used to live in Stratford and took many photos on the SMJ as well as elsewhere. I've even had books published, one a bi-lingual one: "Goodbye Vapeur Francaise", published in France by LR Presse, and others published in England on industrial steam in the English Midlands and the Ulster Transport Authority. I even had an exhibition of photographs held at the Berlaymont in Brussels called " Europe at Full Steam" in October 2010. So, you can see, I'm still interested in railways and, in particular, steam locomotives.
I was interested to see you were making a model of Clifford Sidings, I remember that area well as it was an easy bike ride from home. Another system on the way to Banbury was the Oxfordshire Ironstone which, I am sure you know, was the source of much traffic after the "new" curve was installed between Old Town and Racecourse stations. The subject of another book.
It would be great to meet. Perhaps I could go to Rebecq on a working day if that would be ok with you. It will have to be a bit later because I am going to be in England for a little while for my mother's 99th birthday. She must have travelled on pre-grouping trains! She wasn't at Stratford at the time, though!
All best,
Terry
- At 16:27 on January 18, 2010,
Andy Thompson said…
- Welcome aboard Jack I hope you enjoy the site and feel able to contribute to it!
Andy
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