‘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
Can anyone help Rob? - "underpass" or tunnel
Delete Comment I've seen the website and wonder if you can help - there is reputed to be an
"underpass" or tunnel of some sort under the railway just to the north of
the Stratford station - it connected two parts of the old Stratford Foods
canning factory. Does anyone know if it exists and where it is please? (Or if not
any suggestions where I may enquire)
Thanks
Rob Gullen (in Stratford-upon-Avon)
Views: 359
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John Jennings on
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The only food canning factory I can remember in Stratford was the one next to N C Joseph's plant in Birmingham Road (the old A34) This site is now housing and flats. The GWR line ran (still does) at the back of this site, the location being just to the north of the goods yard and Flowers brewery. There was no tunnel or underpass at the rear of that plant. (It would have had to go under the canal as well and would have ended up at the time in open fields). That area is now part of Timothy's Bridge Industrial Area. Unless this query relates to a different canning plant it is not a SMJ related matter.
John
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Permalink Reply by Peter S Lewis on
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Hello Rob,
I believe I can help you...
The under pass still exists, although it is now blocked off.....
DCS now own the former Stratford Foods site...and I clean windows for them....
I'll try to remember to take a photo of the "underpass" when next I am there, towards the end of December...
Strictly speaking, this relates to the North Warwickshire line , but of course, in the days of the SMJ the line ran through from the old town SMJ station, passed over the Evesham Road, (level crossing)and under the Alcester Road into the GWR station...It would be easy to consider all of this as being part of the same line...!!
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Rob,
As promised, here are a couple of photos I took today.....
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This last shot is a picture/photo in DCS's office. It clearly show the North Warwicks Line (with a top and tailed excursion train Northern Belle, I think) and is dated a few years ago...but the underpass will be at about the 5th carriage along...this underpass linked the two halves of the then Stratford Foods operation. It is closed off now.
Hope this helps..
Peter
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Rob,
Here is a better shot of the "underpass"....
Peter
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