‘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
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.
PPhoto Albums 1 Reply
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
Started by Robin Leslie Patrick. Last reply by Dave Hayward Jun 8.
Broom Junction station site for sale 3 Replies
Great opportunity for an SMJ enthusiast perhaps. I'm not sure what you could actually do with this site though!…Continue
Started by Simon Stevens. Last reply by Simon Stevens May 17.
SMJ photos
Blakesley
There is a newish book out called The Blakesley Miniature Railway and the Bartholemew Family by Bob Tebb (Slilver Link Publishing ISBN 978 1 85794 339 9)
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Permalink Reply by Dick Bodily on
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Peter
I'm reading it at the moment and finding it a good read, but then you might say that I originate from Blakesley and the enterprisese and excesses of CWB were part of the folklaw that I grew up with. Not only does it cover the development of the minature railway in detail but it gives a good overview of the development of miniature railways and the importance of Bassett-Lowkes' and CWB's contributions. There's some intrigue and speculation, some excellent railway archeological detective work, a bit of scandal and some dodgy dealing and Bob has a very good literacy style which maintains interest during the more technical bits. He has also done a lot of research and he actually owns the steam outline petrol engined loco 'Blakovesley'. I was one of the many people who helped him in a small way by interviewing a 99 year old villager among providing other bits and pieces. Andy and myself got special permission to visit the site and trace the route of the main line and I've been back since to take photos to try and confirm the routes of branches and position of bridges. Amazingly no map was ever produced of any of the changing layouts of the line. When the snow clears I'm hoping to visit a man who actually worked on the line and also later on the SMJ. Hopefully he will be able to clarify some of the points that are still unclear.
Does anyone have Bob Tebb's new address, phone number and or new email address, as I've lost contact since he moved?
Dick
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