‘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.
Don't know Will Caton but I've scrolled through the list of members and see Tony Marsh who I think runs the Blisworth village history web site's a member. I'll record a few memories shortly.
Hi Andy, thank you for all your efforts, you have done a great job. I look forward to seeing your e-mails and it has been a revelation expanding my knowledge of the SMJ, regards Richard
Thanks Andy, and I notice a fresh article by you on the mining "connections" to the SMJ line near the first four bridges working up from Blisworth. I got a bit confused. It has been a while since I walked the track, avoiding fallen trees etc., but I recall that each bridge is justified in terms of either giving on-going access for a farmer to a cutoff part of his farm or simply a road or footpath in common use. Wheldon, as I recall, makes use of a footpath or farm trackway and in the side of the cutting there are substantial profiles cut out of the earth to accommodate some sort of timbered tipping gear to tranship direct to wagons on the SMJ (or a siding thereon). Anyway, I would like to look again at what you say with the help of a 1900 OS map, blown up to 1000 pixels square, with fields 1 and 2 marked and with bridge numbers marked etc. Sorry to seem a bit slow here. Tony
Thanks for the welcome, I have looked at this site any times and thought I really should join. I live in Towcester and have just started an N gauge model of the station in my loft. So will proberbly be pestering everyone for pictures and info. The only thing I have so far which I haven't seen on here are ratings plans of Towcester station that I obtained from Railtrack in Birmingham, if these are of interest to you or anyone else let me know.
Andy, there are 20 pages on Gayton Quarries, and another 38 on the other Blisworth Quarries. Rather a lot to precis, but if you like, I'll do one of the Gayton Quarries section during the coming winter months. You may find a copy of the book in your local library - N'pton Library Service had at least one copy the last time I looked.
Andy,
Sorry, I can't add any more to the story of 672's chimney. I heard it from Jeff probably in the 70s and he was a senior hand at Watford then, and though I always find it a bit of a shock to realise most of those old boys will be dead and gone by now. What I should have asked is what they did with the chimney, did they heave it up onto the footplate and take it back to Watford with them ?
David
I'm not really very knowledgable about railways - I once had the job of overseeing the winching of a saddle tanker onto a low loader in the area just in front of the loco sheds in your picture, and that's about it. It was quite hairy because the loco was in danger of being derailed, I remember. The men knew a lot more than I did !!!
Hi Andy,
I am currently writing a website on Irthlingbough mine. The traffic from Irthlingborough went SMJ route to Ebbw Vale so you and the members might be interested in that. The URL is http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/apack1 or if you type into Google, Irthlingborough mines, that will take you to a Welsh mining site with a link. I am also currently involvd in a planning dispute which is taking me away from much needed gardening so it may be sometime before I can do anything, I have identified the buildings from Google street view for you
Don't know if it will come across this way
Regards
Alan
Andy
Likewise I enjoyed meeting yourself and other members who attended today event. A very pleasant few hours spent reminiscenting the old days on the S.M.J thankyou.
Alwyn.
Thank Andy I will remember that next time I visit my Mother who lives near Northamotn, can only afford to go to Northampton aera about three tmes a year
In caae you are wondering I live in Northampton upto 1965 and used SMJ many times during that time
Welcome to
The SMJ Society
Sign Up
or Sign In
Or sign in with:
SMJ Forum
Evesham Redditch & Stratford-upon-Avon Junction Railway 8 Replies
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.
Bidford-on-Avon 5 Replies
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.
North End and Warwick Road stations? 57 Replies
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.
1873 timetable 4 Replies
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.
SMJ photos
Andy Thompson's Comments
Comment Wall (58 comments)
You need to be a member of The SMJ Society to add comments!
Join The SMJ Society
Blimey Andy, that was quick!
Don't know Will Caton but I've scrolled through the list of members and see Tony Marsh who I think runs the Blisworth village history web site's a member. I'll record a few memories shortly.
Hi Andy
I am sending an SMJ Christmas card this year and would love to send you one. Could you send your address to john.evans777@yahoo.com
and I'll do the rest. Best wishes
John
I thought I was already in your lists a long time ago as I regularly recieve your mails
Best regards
Jack Freuville
Sorry, I can't add any more to the story of 672's chimney. I heard it from Jeff probably in the 70s and he was a senior hand at Watford then, and though I always find it a bit of a shock to realise most of those old boys will be dead and gone by now. What I should have asked is what they did with the chimney, did they heave it up onto the footplate and take it back to Watford with them ?
David
I am currently writing a website on Irthlingbough mine. The traffic from Irthlingborough went SMJ route to Ebbw Vale so you and the members might be interested in that. The URL is http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/apack1 or if you type into Google, Irthlingborough mines, that will take you to a Welsh mining site with a link. I am also currently involvd in a planning dispute which is taking me away from much needed gardening so it may be sometime before I can do anything, I have identified the buildings from Google street view for you
Don't know if it will come across this way
Regards
Alan
Likewise I enjoyed meeting yourself and other members who attended today event. A very pleasant few hours spent reminiscenting the old days on the S.M.J thankyou.
Alwyn.
In caae you are wondering I live in Northampton upto 1965 and used SMJ many times during that time
Bernard
Ray Wake