‘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"
Did this railway (as opposed to the East & West Junction Railway) go into receivership - if so, when. And when did it come out of receivership?Continue
Started by Richard Maund. Last reply by Richard Maund Feb 11.
Shall we bring this discussion under the proper heading!So far as the OS plan surveyed 1885, published 1886, is concerned: the OS liked - wherever they could - to have text running parallel to the top and bottom borders. When they came to add the…Continue
Started by Richard Maund. Last reply by Richard Maund Feb 10.
Some time ago we ahd an interesting and lively discussion on the mystery station at Tiffield, which added quite a lot to our collective knowledge.I've recently been looking closely at two of the other mystery stations- at North End (sometimes…Continue
Started by Barry Taylor. Last reply by Richard Maund Jan 27.
Page 12 of Arthur Jordan's book features a full page reproduction of the E&WJ public timetable handbill for August 1873. Does anyone know where the original of that handbill is preserved?Incidentally, the timetable itself formed the basis of…Continue
Started by Richard Maund. Last reply by Barry Taylor Jan 25.
The first five vehicles appear to be Ex-NER 2-plank dropside wagons. They could be either Diag. B1 built 1895 York, or Diag. B15 built 1920 York. There are no discernible company initials so presumably they could be in use as service vehicles. The man behind the abutment wall (top right) is Tom Burton, railway bricklayer.
My grandad worked as one of a small team of full time brickies working for the SMJ and later on the SMJ route for the LMS until 1933. He specialised in bridge and culvert work and isn't seen in these pictures so that would suggest that they were taken sometime after 1932 if they were of the SMJ. One of the stories he used to tell was that he didn't need his pocket watch when they were working near the GC line as the GC expresses especially the 'Sam Fay' were such good time keepers taht he could use their whistles to tell when to knock off or have a break.
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