‘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"
AndyAbout two years ago I ended up with some railway matter from a Bill Kendall who had been a Signalman on SMJ ending his railway career at Northampton No 1. I worked with him when I was working in Rugby PSB, I also covered the signa?l boxes at…Continue
Not sure if others are aware of the significant amount of documents held by the National Archives on the SMJ. The collection consists mainly of Directors Minutes etc. There is also a collection of early 20th C timetables, handbills etc. which I have…Continue
HiI'm selling my collection of SMJR related 00 gauge modelsIf of interest for any of you please contact me by mail atjfreuville@gmail.comand I will send you the list and photosKind regardsJackContinue
This is Isle of Man Railway Beyer Peacock 2-4-0T 'Mannin' which is about to be restored to running order so that it can deal with the heavier trains on the line as at present only Dubs 0-6-0T 'Caledonia' is a capable of such trains unaided. Its a beefed up version of the earlier smaller 3 foot gauge engines that Beyer Peacock provided for the IMR in the late 19th / early 20th centuries. Although it has completely different frames, outside cylinders and a smaller bunker it has obvious 'house similarities' to the E&WJR 2-4-0Ts. IMR 2-4-0T 'Loch' which is in store still retains a bell mouth style dome as the E&WJR engines originally had .
Incidentally I can thoroughly recommend the IMR and its electric tramway cousins the Manx Electric Railway and Snaefell Mountain Railway as being first rate rail experiences.