‘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"
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SMJ Forum
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Hi everybodyI’m building a OO gauge model of Fenny Compton and Clifford Sidings over here in Belgium.Quite a strange idea but so be it…In view of this I plan to transform a RTR Beatie Well Tank into SMJR N° 5 the 2-4-0T and use some etchings for the…Continue
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SMJ photos
1914 BRIGHTON POSTER
I am just finishing a book on Brighton in the Great War and wanted to include an attractive colour poster I have promoting the resort which was, strangely to me, put out by the SMJ. I am puzzled at the recommendation that visitors take that railway route in order to enjoy a south coast resort. What route could possibly have been followed using the SMJ to enjoy Brighton? Can anyone help? Thanks.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dick Bodily on
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Probably using a regular SMJ service with a change of trains to a LNWR excursion at Blisworth. I wonder if the 'Sunny South Express' ever stopped to pick up at Blisworth? I have also been told that at least on one occasion a coach that originated on the SMJ was attached to a Brighton bound excursion at Blisworth.
In 1910 the SMJR published an illustrated newspaper supplement pullout headed 'Holiday Resorts reached by the SMJR'. Unfortunately no idea what newspaper but I guess possibly the Stratford local paper or Northampton Mercury & Herald.( Info. taken from one of the late Doug Blake's books). Excursion fares were Morecambe 23/-, Hastings 23/-.Dover 25/-, Matlock 13/-, Chester 16/-, Rhyl 18/-, Aberystwyth 20/-, Lowestoft 25/-, Colwyn Bay 20/-, Southsea 20/-, Aberdeen 60/- and Whitby 30/-.
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Permalink Reply by Douglas d'Enno on
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Douglas d'Enno said:Noted with many thanks, Dick.
Dick Bodily said:Probably using a regular SMJ service with a change of trains to a LNWR excursion at Blisworth. I wonder if the 'Sunny South Express' ever stopped to pick up at Blisworth? I have also been told that at least on one occasion a coach that originated on the SMJ was attached to a Brighton bound excursion at Blisworth.
In 1910 the SMJR published an illustrated newspaper supplement pullout headed 'Holiday Resorts reached by the SMJR'. Unfortunately no idea what newspaper but I guess possibly the Stratford local paper or Northampton Mercury & Herald.( Info. taken from one of the late Doug Blake's books). Excursion fares were Morecambe 23/-, Hastings 23/-.Dover 25/-, Matlock 13/-, Chester 16/-, Rhyl 18/-, Aberystwyth 20/-, Lowestoft 25/-, Colwyn Bay 20/-, Southsea 20/-, Aberdeen 60/- and Whitby 30/-.
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Deleted my attachment in error! Re-supplied herewith.
Douglas
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Permalink Reply by Barry Taylor on
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This looks like a "stock" Brighton poster that has been overprinted with the Shakespeare Route logo and SMJ contact details etc, and was probably used by many railway companies and personalised to their own lines.
Nevertheless, very interesting.
I seem to remember reading somewhere that there was a through SMJ coach to Victoria station in London, via Blisworth and presumably Willesden and the West London line - this would make sense of a destination of Brighton if it were in SMJ days.
Have to look that one out
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Thanks for that, Barry.
Douglas
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Barry,
A gentleman I used to know who died last year aged 104, claimed that he had travelled from Blakesley to Brighton in a through carriage that was attached to an 'express' at Blisworth. It was an excursion for Blakesley Church Choir & Bellringers. This happened sometime after 1919, probably before the Grouping. Despite his great age he had a fantastic reliable memory for detail and recalled for instance that the Church treasurer had been instructed to give each choir member 5/- for expenses at Brighton and that at Brighton station they were met by the widow of a previous vicar of Blakesley who had tragically died in a road accident. The next church excursion to the seaside was by local man Will Kingston's omnibus.
Dick
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Permalink Reply by Barry Dunwoody on
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Hi Douglas,
I had a framed photograph which might interest you but I donated it to the Swanage Railway as they collect anything 'Southern'.
It was of a Red Cross train hauled by LBSCR Marsh class J2 4-6-2T, 2326 Bessborough.
The inscription under the photo was 'Presented to Miss Orde-Powlett by wounded ex-railwaymen 1914-1919'
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Douglas d'Enno said:Very many thanks for this, Barry. I will contact the Swanage Railway about the photo. I see from the internet that the Orde-Powletts are a notable family.
Barry Dunwoody said:Hi Douglas,
I had a framed photograph which might interest you but I donated it to the Swanage Railway as they collect anything 'Southern'.
It was of a Red Cross train hauled by LBSCR Marsh class J2 4-6-2T, 2326 Bessborough.
The inscription under the photo was 'Presented to Miss Orde-Powlett by wounded ex-railwaymen 1914-1919'
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