"To add a confirmation to Simon's info - I have an original copy of a SMJ Working Timetable Appendix booklet for 1916 which has annotations and amendments as the instructions etc were updated over the years after issue. On page 35 there is a…"
‘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
Further about Ravenstone Wood Junction 1 Reply
Firstly a belated thanks to Barry for his excellent research that has returned these signal lever plates to their rightful home! [Perhaps their place of residence on the website needs changing!] Apologies for starting s new Forum discussion on this…Continue
Started by Dave Hayward. Last reply by Barry Taylor Oct 23.
Ravenstone Wood Junction Signal Box-an anomaly 3 Replies
Closely examining the brass lever plates shown in the Olney Line entry in the Index Section of this website I noticed a significant anomaly. Some of the above plates, specifically 1, 10, 11, 12, 25, 32, 34. refer to platforms, loading dock, goods…Continue
Started by Dave Hayward. Last reply by Barry Taylor Oct 9.
SMJ keys from the Towcester area 1 Reply
I have been contacted by someone who wishes to dispose of two sets of SMJ-related keys from the Towcester area, but does not want to put personal email or other details on this website. They have been given to him by the estate manager at Easton…Continue
Started by Barry Taylor. Last reply by Barry Taylor Sep 4.
Bridge sign 3 Replies
An East and West Junction and Stratford-On-Avon, Towcester and Midland Junction Railways bridge weight notice, cast iron, 16½"x11¾", the front repainted. As is usual, the company title has been altered to Stratford-On-Avon and Midland Junction…Continue
Started by Graham Ward. Last reply by Russ Firth Jun 1.
SMJ photos
Jack Freuville's Discussions
Loco N° 5. 2-4-0T
1 Reply
Hi everybodyI’m building a OO gauge model of Fenny Compton and Clifford Sidings over here in Belgium.Quite a strange idea but so be it…In view of this I plan to transform a RTR Beatie Well Tank into…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Simon Dunkley Mar 17.
SMJR Logo
4 Replies
Hi ThereI’m planning to print some water slide decals of the EWJR and the SMJR in 4 mm scale.Can anybody help me sort out the size and color scheme?For the size; following photos, this would be…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Jim Goodman Aug 4, 2022.
DVD on the SMJ
3 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 Jack Freuville Dec 18, 2021.
Jack Freuville's Page
Latest Activity
"Engines 4, 5 and 6 were fitted with the Westinghouse air brake, on the LH side (looking forward) and 10-13 were dual fitted, but the air pumps maybe have been removed by late pre-grouping days: 10-12 had the pump on the LH side (most photos are of…"
"Hi Jack,
The EWJR locos were part of an order for three locos by the Swindon, Marlborough and Andoversford Railway (later part of the MSWJR), to be numbers 8, 9 and 10. The SMA could only afford 1 of the three locos, and the other two remained with…"
"Most SMJ rolling stock had vacuum and Westinghouse brake systems or at least through pipes.
photos of SMJ locos show no Westingh..pump."
Loco N° 5. 2-4-0T
Hi everybodyI’m building a OO gauge model of Fenny Compton and Clifford Sidings over here in Belgium.Quite a strange idea but so be it…In view of this I plan to transform a RTR Beatie Well Tank into SMJR N° 5 the 2-4-0T and use some etchings for the body I got from Peter Dawson.The overall dimensions are similar enough to represent an acceptable loco.The question is:The Beatie Well Tank has outside cylinders which can be removedSMJR N°s 5 & 6 were made by Beyer Peacock and had inside…See More
"Thanks Jack, I'll look forward to seeing them. Your model looks really good. I'm building Fenny Compton too, not exactly as it was, I can't fit in all the trackwork and, like you, I'll use a bit of licence with the buildings!"
"Fenny Compton station circa autumn 1922"
"Thanks a lot Jim
I'm working on printable examples of the Garter; Logo as well as the letters and numbers used by the SMJ
This will take a couple of weeks then I'll come back to you.
Here's a sample of what I'm…"
"Hi Jack,
These images may be of interest to you I would suggest the infill on the garter is light blue rather than grey. Also worth noting that in Stanley C Jenkins book on the Northampton and Banbury Junction Rly, the photo of the coach on page 46…"
SMJR Logo
Hi ThereI’m planning to print some water slide decals of the EWJR and the SMJR in 4 mm scale.Can anybody help me sort out the size and color scheme?For the size; following photos, this would be between 3 and 4 mm in 1/76For the EWJR Garter I have Crimson background Gold trim and letters Grey infill of the garterFor the SMJR seal I have no definite idée; I think Crimson background Gold trim and letters Following heraldic…See More
"Hi Mark
I’ve been in contact with Ian of Wolverton Rail but he cannot help.
Would you agree to sell me one of your copies of the DVD?
I propose you give me your price, including postage to Belgium, I’ll transfer you the amount by…"
"I would be keen on getting hold of the DVD too.David"
"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
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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