‘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 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 on Sunday.

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

More 1960 News

Just to say that in the June RCTS Railway Observer "Nostalgia Corner" there is another feature on 40 years ago.

It concerns the opening of the new spur from the SMJ at Stratford to the GWR with consequent rationalising of signalboxes (due to take palce on June 13).

This new connection was seen as bad news for the Stratford to Broom section of the SMJ.

The article mentions various trains used for learning the new route from Woodford to Honeybourne and mentions Woodford L1 tanks 67740/71 (I remember the latter on the Banbury shuttle). Also 43106 (another Woodford engine - I hadn't realised that these were shedded there) and 48402 (a Tysley engine) running between Banbury and Stratford (presumably using the connection at Fenny Compton?).

Interestingly, and surprisingly, between midnight and 5am on an April Sunday thirty freight trains ran between Broom and Stratford and vice versa.