‘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
SMJ seats at York Museum ?
I took my grandson to the National Railway Museum on Dec. 30th and noticed two bench seats, of the type found on station platforms until traditional stations were replaced with bus-shelters. Both bear the title " STRATFORD " - I'll try and upload…Continue
Started by Paul Atherton Jan 5.
More building at Towcester 2 Replies
I hear there has been more building at the station site in Towcester.Anyone know what they've dug up?…Continue
Tags: Towcester
Started by Andy Thompson. Last reply by Nigel Nov 7, 2024.
Broom History Group Event 9th November 2024
Broom History Group will be holding an event at Broom Village Hall 2-4pm on 9th November 2024 including a film on the railway and Broom Junction.…Continue
Started by Simon Stevens Oct 25, 2024.
Misunderstanding Easton Neston 2 Replies
Hello, I'm a new member and I've searched through the articles and can't find anything specific to my answer/ question. Can anyone help?…Continue
Started by Matt Davis. Last reply by Matt Davis Oct 16, 2024.
SMJ photos
Ghost Stories
I've just read 'Mysterious Northamptonshire' by Daniel Codd (Breedon Books 2009) which contains a couple of references to the SMJR and to the Blakesley hall Miniature Railway. Its an excellent read too for anyone with a general interest in Northamptonshire.
One story concerns a man who stopped his car to answer a call of nature by a bridge over a cutting of the disused Northampton and Banbury line near Bradden, presumably the one on the Blakesley to Silverstone road. He saw a bright light coming towards him in the cutting, as it approached he noticed it was attached to an old fashioned steam locomotive which silently passed. This was supposed to have happened around 2006 but I've never heard this yarn before despite knowing a lot of people in that area.
The second story concerns mysterious lights that were seen in the deserted Blakesley Hall prior to its demolition plus reports of people hearing the chugging of an invisible engine on the route of the lifted miniature railway. Again I grew up in the area but never heard of this minature ghost train although I heard plenty of other ghost stories about the Hall including The Grey Lady who was supposed to walk at midnight through the chestnuts in the grounds. The mystery of the lights is no more a mystery than the puzzlement of several Blakesley parents at the time whose young sons had asked for powerful torches from Father Christmas! Unofficial access to the derelict hall was all too easy in the 50s !
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