‘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
EHLR JUNCTION
Can anyone identify how the junction between the SMJ and EHLR was arranged. I have looked at the published photos but they don't show the whole arrangement. I suspect that this short lived connection was not mapped but I thought I'd ask anyway. Cheers, Simon
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jim Goodman on
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Hi Si,
Is this plan of any use? The first Burton Dassett one of course.
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Permalink Reply by Si Donal on
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Jim, Thanks alot. I'm pondering a model, mind you the junction is larger than it seems in photos. I'm amazed that a turntable features at the junction. I did see a reference to one on the hfstephens website but discredited it as an error! I am working on a terrier now. Out of period for my LMS models really. Thanks for going to such effort. Si
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Permalink Reply by NIGEL on
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Interesting to note that both the E.H.L.R. and the aerial ropeway are BOTH shown on the first plan of Burton Dassett junction. The aerial ropeway had, according to Tonks, closed by 1921 and equipment removed post 1929. The E.H.L.R. opened in 1922 and closed in 1925, can we surmise a date for the track plan ?
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Hi Nigel,
M Christensen's booklet has it that the EHLR was constructed in 1919, Arthur Jordan states it was opened for traffic in 1920 and both agree that it was closed in 1925. The aerial rope-way finally closed in 1921, so I'll plump for a date of 1920/21 for the track plan.
Incidentally, like Alwyn, I was looking around the EHLR site in the early 70's and saw plenty of evidence of the railway - track, wire ropes, wheels, and the course of the line could clearly be seen. Sadly I never took any photos nor took any mementos.
Jim.
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Sounds about right for the track plan, although I disagree with the date of 1920 for the opening of traffic on this line. See map below dated 1920 for this 'MINERAL LINE UNDER CONSTRUCTION'. The area shown is part of the rope worked incline, the double track loop, I believe.
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