‘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"
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 on Sunday.
Stratford & Midland Junction Railway bridge number 42. This is a very rare bridge number, which hardly ever comes up for sale! 28cm x 20cm. It was from a cattle creep between Byfield & Morton Pinkney. £500. PayPal payment required and I can…Continue
Comment by Barry Taylor on March 28, 2025 at 14:22
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 list of the 'break' systems used on various railways, with the SMJ shown as both 'automatic vacuum' and 'Westinghouse' - the latter has then been struck through with the amendment dated as 31/1/19.
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 the other side!), and 13 on the RH side originally. 7 was vacuum braked on purchase and number 8 appears to have been fitted similarly circa 1903/4, based on photographic evidence. 14-18 were only ever fitted with the vacuum brake.
You need to be a member of The SMJ Society to add comments!
Join The SMJ Society