‘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"
Following on from the previous discussion about WD passenger trains on the SMJ during the 1940s; it must be said that passenger trains ran on metals connected to the SMJ until the mid 1960s. There was a passenger service from the nearest point to…Continue
Arthur Jordan in his book, The Stratford Upon Avon and Midland Junction Railway - The Shakespeare Route at pp 82 mentions a WW2 late night special from Stratford on Avon to Burton Dassett for soldiers at the CAD. I would envisage that this did not…Continue
Started by Dave Hayward. Last reply by Dave Hayward Jun 16.
AndyAbout two years ago I ended up with some railway matter from a Bill Kendall who had been a Signalman on SMJ ending his railway career at Northampton No 1. I worked with him when I was working in Rugby PSB, I also covered the signa?l boxes at…Continue
Started by Robin Leslie Patrick. Last reply by Dave Hayward Jun 8.
I think most of us fall into the same category...either being aware of the railway in our childhood, then coming across it, so to speak , in another age and time....
It is fascinating to hear/read about the line in its heyday..although, I think, it never really had one.....Still, it was, and is, part of the landscape of the area....you can still see the remains..!
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Paul,
This is the link.....
http://thesmjr.ning.com/forum/topics/smj150-150-years-since-the-railway-arrived-at-towcester
Peter
Hello Paul,
Good point!
Though we're not just in cyber space!
We had a get together in Stratford last year...and something is being planned for 2016...in anticipation of 150 years since the line began..
SMJ150...!! There is a thread in the forum on the subject, I think!
Kind regards,
Peter
Hello Paul,
I think most of us fall into the same category...either being aware of the railway in our childhood, then coming across it, so to speak , in another age and time....
It is fascinating to hear/read about the line in its heyday..although, I think, it never really had one.....Still, it was, and is, part of the landscape of the area....you can still see the remains..!
Kind regards,
Peter
hello Paul,
A warm welcome to the SMJ site!
Do you have any connections with the line?
Peter