‘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

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.

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In the 1950s/60s we had a regular working of a 2F Woodford Halse WD to Bristol. I was always intrigued by how they got there. Does anybody know if that was via the SMJR please?

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Yes, the working travelled via the SMJ;  I was a fireman at Woodford from 1956 to 1958 and worked over the SMJ (the 'Nibble') many times.  There were several evening workings over the line from Woodford, mainly to South Wales, all WD  2-8-0 hauled and the Bristol train was the first one out at 7.20 pm (book on 6.00pm, prepare own engine, off shed at 7.00pm, depart Woodford Old Up yard at 7.20pm.  Changeover with the return working was at either Evesham or Ashchurch, after which the train presumably travelled via Cheltenham and the ex. Midland main line via Charfield to Bristol.

Thank you Clive so much for this. I have pondered this question for 60 years! Do you know what was the destination yard for these trains? I suspect that in the case of the South Wales trains in might have been Severn Tunnel Jct.

You mention being relieved at Evesham or Ashchurch. I had not realised that there was a south facing junction at Broom. I recall the new junction being installed at Stratford, but that was, I guess, after your time.

Best Wishes,

Bob Bishop

I now know about the 1942 south curve at Broom Jct



Bob Bishop said:

Thank you Clive so much for this. I have pondered this question for 60 years! Do you know what was the destination yard for these trains? I suspect that in the case of the South Wales trains in might have been Severn Tunnel Jct.

You mention being relieved at Evesham or Ashchurch. I had not realised that there was a south facing junction at Broom. I recall the new junction being installed at Stratford, but that was, I guess, after your time.

Best Wishes,

Bob Bishop

Hello Bob, no, sorry, I don't know the destination yards of the trains; I seem to remember that one of the later departures was to Cardiff, beyond that I don't know.  Yes, the connection at Stratford for the Honeybourne line was after my time but drivers were learning the new road when I left Woodford in December, 1958. which is strange because I believe the new connection didn't come into use until 1960.  Oddly enough I now volunteer on the GWSR at Toddington, usually in the cafe at Winchcombe, and I assume that these trains passed through there after the Honeybourne connection opened.

Best regards,

Clive

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