‘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'

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SMJ keys from the Towcester area

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 Aug 21.

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 Postage stamps 1911 and 1924

A couple of items recently up for auction.GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY COMPANY AND STRATFORD-UPON-AVON & MIDLAND JUNCTION: 6…Continue

Started by Graham Ward May 21.

More building at Towcester 3 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 John Evans Apr 19.

SMJ photos

THE KILN AT SHOWSLEY, WAS THIS FOR LIME, BRICKS OR CALCINING ?

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Permalink Reply by NIGEL on January 8, 2013 at 17:42

This is from the BULLETIN OF INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY IN CBA GROUP 9, JAN 1969.

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Permalink Reply by NIGEL on January 8, 2013 at 18:03

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Permalink Reply by Stephen on January 9, 2013 at 11:04

If I can add to this discussion.

I believe that the kiln at Showsley is or rather was a calcine kiln, it resembles a brick kiln, but it was never used for calcining. It was used as a workmans mess room.

Hope that helps

Stephen Robbins

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Permalink Reply by NIGEL on January 14, 2013 at 19:38

Hello Stephen, can you shed some more light on this, do you know when this kiln was erected ?

Do you have family or friends who know about this kiln ?

Thanks for the info.

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Permalink Reply by Stephen on January 15, 2013 at 18:04

I came across a reference to the 'kiln' in one of the ES Tonks books.

I believe I had said previously that the 'kiln' was a brick kiln on another thread. I was wrong

The 'kiln' looks like a brick kiln but was going to be used as a calcining kiln for the ironstone. I assume had the building been used for calcining ironstone the stone would have been barrowed in.

I would have thought that it would have been a very smokey environment and not much stone would have calcined. I don't know what the dimesions of the building were. It is somewhat small.

I have had experience of working with calcining iron ore and it is a filthy horrible working environment.