‘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.
SMJ photos
Burton dasset Iron ore bucket rope way to the SMJ
Hi, I am new to the society, born in Northend and grew up there.
I used to play on the line, one of the chaps I went to school with still drives the MOD munition trains on the bit of line to Fenny Compton.
Anyway when I was about 8 or 9 ( a long time ago) I dug up in the hedge on what is now Burton Dasset hills (was private land then) 2 cast iron wheels from the over-head bucket rope way that used to take iron ore from the quarry on top of the hills to the SMJ siding.
My father (unfortunately long dead) showed me where the steam engine used to sit that powered the rope way, the wheels although a long way down the hill were below where the engine sat buried in the middle of the hedge.
I was looking for a secret tunnel to the manor house, as you do when you are 8 or 9 and at first was convinced I had found one. However it turned out to be these 2 wheels approximately 2ft6" in diameter, one has deep grooves where the steel cable has worn into it.
Would anybody be interested in seeing one if I can make it on the 12th June?
Unfortunately I am at the TT until late early Saturday morning so cannot promise to make it, but there may be other occassions, anyway.
I will attach some pictures sometine shortly
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Andy Thompson on
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Richard
I'd be very interested as well as hearing all (and I mean all)that you can remember about the site. I did hear a story of one man who got stuck in a bucket whilst (illegally ) riding up from the railway when the lunch time hooter went off and the pulley system was halted!!
Andy
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Permalink Reply by Richard Keyte on
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Hi Andy my dad told me that he and his brother had ridden in the buckets as well. they were cut loose as youngsters and left to their own devices after their mother died (my gradmother) I can show you some of the features still on Burton Dasset.
Drayton manor, springs to mind.
regards Richard
Andy Thompson said:Richard
I'd be very interested as well as hearing all (and I mean all)that you can remember about the site. I did hear a story of one man who got stuck in a bucket whilst (illegally ) riding up from the railway when the lunch time hooter went off and the pulley system was halted!!
Andy
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Permalink Reply by Tony Newman on
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This is exactly the kind of fragile snippet of history that one hopes would resurface in a forum like this. It is an integral part of the bigger picture but a part that is unlikely to have ever found its way into any archive or official history.
Terrific!
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