‘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"
.
SMJ Forum
SMJ seats at York Museum ?
I took my grandson to the National Railway Museum on Dec. 30th and noticed two bench seats, of the type found on station platforms until traditional stations were replaced with bus-shelters. Both bear the title " STRATFORD " - I'll try and upload…Continue
Started by Paul Atherton yesterday.
More building at Towcester 2 Replies
I hear there has been more building at the station site in Towcester.Anyone know what they've dug up?…Continue
Tags: Towcester
Started by Andy Thompson. Last reply by Nigel Nov 7, 2024.
Broom History Group Event 9th November 2024
Broom History Group will be holding an event at Broom Village Hall 2-4pm on 9th November 2024 including a film on the railway and Broom Junction.…Continue
Started by Simon Stevens Oct 25, 2024.
Misunderstanding Easton Neston 2 Replies
Hello, I'm a new member and I've searched through the articles and can't find anything specific to my answer/ question. Can anyone help?…Continue
Started by Matt Davis. Last reply by Matt Davis Oct 16, 2024.
SMJ photos
Bridge 149
One of the features of the SMJ was the big cast iron diamond shaped warning signs on the bridges. These warned against "Locomotives weighing more than x tons using the bridge.......etc."
As they were rusty, and basically obsolete, they were not really of any use.
I always meant to take a photo of one (after picking out the lettering with chalk say) but, in the usual way, they all suddenly disappeared. Presumably "liberated" either by "enthusiasts" or scrap merchants.
A bridge could have had 4 of these (each side of the road and each end) but most had fewer. At Blisworth I think it was 2.
Bridge 149 had the full complement of 4.
Peter
Views: 53
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Dick Bodily on
-
They had similar ones on Grand Union Canal bridges around Northants as well. I think they were replaced when councils started putting up the modern standardised road signs including ones that were to do with weight and height restrictions over and under bridges.
-
Permalink Reply by Andy Thompson on
-
Peter
Do you mean one of these?
Andy
-
Permalink Reply by Peter Fleming on
-
Not sure.
It is of course about 40 years since I saw one, and they were always unpainted and rusty, so looked rather different.
Andy Thompson said:Peter
Do you mean one of these?
Andy
-
-
I remember the canal ones.
On reconsideration I think that the ones I recall were different.
The reference to the SMJR was much more prominent, not tucked away at the bottom.
I also think it may have been dated and issued under the name of "company secretary" or such.
I wish I had taken a photo as intended.
© 2025 Created by Andy Thompson.
Powered by
