‘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
magnet fishing
Hi everyone, yesterday I did some magnet fishing with the grandchildren from the SMJ bridge over the river Tove in Towester, to great excitement of the children (and myself) we pulled out three chair screws and a rivet which looked similar in style…Continue
Started by Steve Camm Sep 1.
One of the best preserved SMJ bridges? 1 Reply
I was at Ettington the other day and apart from the good shed, which has had a lot of money spent on it including full glazing, the station building is still there. But my attention went to the station bridge (No. 73?) which is in very good…Continue
Started by John Evans. Last reply by Andy Thompson Aug 30.
Passenger Trains connected to the SMJ
Following on from the previous discussion about WD passenger trains on the SMJ during the 1940s; it must be said that passenger trains ran on metals connected to the SMJ until the mid 1960s. There was a passenger service from the nearest point to…Continue
Started by Dave Hayward Jun 16.
Wartime passenger trains from Burton Dassett 3 Replies
Arthur Jordan in his book, The Stratford Upon Avon and Midland Junction Railway - The Shakespeare Route at pp 82 mentions a WW2 late night special from Stratford on Avon to Burton Dassett for soldiers at the CAD. I would envisage that this did not…Continue
Started by Dave Hayward. Last reply by Dave Hayward Jun 16.
SMJ photos
3615 at Blisworth
I have purchased the attached photograph today, which is completely new to me. It is taken at what appears to be Blisworth SMJ Station at the head of a 7 coach train. The locomotive has a "3" shedplate which is Saltley - so the engine could well be out-stationed at S-on-A from there; but this also means that the photograph dates to 1935 or before as Saltley became 21A in that year.
Any further thoughts would oblige - there is no caption or detail written on the back of this print.
Happy sleuthing,
Robin
Views: 170
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3615@Blisworth.JPG, 192 KB
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dick Bodily on
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Robin
What strikes me is the length of the train, some sort of special?
Dick
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Permalink Reply by Andy Thompson on
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Permalink Reply by Robin Cullup on
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Barry Taylor has pointed out to me that in The Transport Treasury list there is a photograph by Dr Ian Allen of "3615 at Blisworth on 28.3.1932" and the view is the left side of the loco from the front - which matches this picture. After consulting the 1932 calendar I find that 28th March was Easter Monday - so if this is indeed the Dr Allen photograph - the train has been strengthened to cope with the crowds flocking to Towcester Races. Several other Dr Allen photographs taken on an Easter Monday appear in the Oxford Publishing Co book "LMS Branch Lines", including a shot of "3F" 3768 approaching Towcester on the Ravenstone Wood line.
Further comments would oblige.
Robin
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