‘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"
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 5 hours ago.
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 8 hours ago.
There was a public level crossing between Blakesley and Morton Pinkney, complete with a gatehouse.Does anyone know how this was operated?Presumably the gates must have been manual and kept closed against road traffic.Early Working Timetables mention…Continue
Started by Barry Taylor. Last reply by Andrew Emmerson 22 hours ago.
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. Last reply by Andrew Emmerson yesterday.
"Read your report with Albert, I remember him when I was a young trainspotter in Woodford and met up with him again at the GCR Loughborough. I wrote a long article in the magazine given out that weekend. Bill Howes (Great Uncle) drove 44814 the last…"
A painting of mine taken from a sketch done by my Brother in law in 1966 whilst i sat on my bike. The hoisting gear was not clear so i kept it simple. I have only seen one other Photo of this side of the hoist.
"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"
If you haven't already seen these Woodford related pages here are links to two pages on this website where I interviewed two ex Woodford firemen about working on the SMJR. Clive was fireman to my cousin Gordon Bodily and Albert, who I'm sure you must know at GCR, used to drive our school bus.