‘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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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…Continue

Started by Jack Freuville Mar 29.

Byfield station woodwork colour

Hi, as anyone any idea what colour the doors would have been on the station building. I have a vague recollection that they were a maroonish/brownish colour, similar to the signal box.Thanks in advanceCliveContinue

Started by Clive Mar 21.

Coaches used on SMJ 1948-1952 2 Replies

I was wondering if anybody could tell me what coaching stock was used on the SMJ between 1948-1952. I've started Building Byfield station building and managed to find basically what locos were used but coaches........? Can't seem to find…Continue

Started by Clive. Last reply by Clive Mar 21.

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 aircraft was only lightly damaged until it was hit by a…Continue

Started by Jack Freuville. Last reply by Jack Freuville Feb 16.

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At 23:37 on November 22, 2018, Jim Brown said…: Hi Peter, I believe my grandfather (TF Brown) worked on the SmJ. He is on the WW1 poster now displayed on Stratford station. I was wondering if there any staff records available. I also live near Edge Hill and am interested in the branch line that took iron ore down the Hill to the Burton Dasset junction in the 1920s.

regards

Jim Brown

At 21:02 on September 28, 2018, Jon Bradshaw said…: Peter, my interest started with the Newport Pagnell Branch line and extended to the Varsity Line, but of late I find it fascinating there was a Railway cutting across the local landscape which was blessed with a Station at Salcey Forest. So my interest really is local Railways but I find this one particularly interesting. I will be adding pics in due course!!

At 1:19 on August 21, 2018, Julian Porter said…: Peter,

Yes my name is appropriate. I worked for the railways for 32 years. I used to say I was the only Porter to actually do some work!!

Yes there is a connection, one of my Great Great Uncles, William White, was a "Labourer Railway" on the 1871 census, and was, along with 4 others doing the same job, lodgers with a family in Wappenham and were presumably building the line, which I believe, at the time, was called the Northampton and Banbury Junction Railway. I attach the census record that shows him and Samuel Cox, William Cox and George Reeves.

I have recently purchased a couple of books on the line, but I'd be interested to know who they may have been working for and how long these jobs would have lasted.

Cheers,

Julian

White%20-%20William%20-%20Census%20-%201871.jpg

At 13:14 on August 19, 2018, Richard Denny said…: None apart from an almost lifelong interest in railways and that I was born and live less than 5 miles from the line. Its a line that I have become more interested in in recent years.

At 9:57 on July 26, 2018, COLIN ARTHUR SKEARS said…: Peter, I have received a suspicious mail from a David Hurley who may be using the site to promote his interests outside of SMJ use.

At 15:18 on April 20, 2018, Kirsty Darcy said…: Hi Peter, the site is accessible for you to visit whenever you choose at the moment - please feel welcome to visit and take photographs. If you would like to be met at the site by a member of our team to talk through our plans and timescales, we'd be more than happy to arrange this. Please email me directly at kirsty.darcy@duchyhomes.co.uk if you would like to accept this invitation. Thanks. Kirsty

At 9:30 on April 19, 2018, Kirsty Darcy said…: Hi Peter, I'm very well thanks although still not managed to make contact with any Binton railway workers - still trying! Hope you're well too. If you can let me know the purpose of your visit and when you'd like to go, I can contact our site team and ask the question. The original station house is being retained. Kind regards, Kirsty

At 15:06 on March 26, 2018, Kirsty Darcy said…: Hello Peter, thank you for adding me to this site. Yes, that's correct - I work for Duchy Homes and we have an upcoming development at the old Binton railway station. We're hoping to find anyone who used to work there, or their relatives, to involve them in the redevelopment process and share their story with us. Fingers crossed someone here can help! Thanks. Kirsty

At 17:27 on March 8, 2018, Martin Yallop said…: I work in community rail, l seek out new users for redundant station buildings.

At 15:38 on March 8, 2018, Martin Yallop said…: Hello Peter,

Sadly no connections but I did become aware of it through many years of travelling up and down the Fosse Way. I work in the rail industry so have a professional interest as well.

Regards

Martin