‘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
Line Tour
This year I had planned to try to visit every station on the line but one thing and another I've not managed to but I was thinking recently "Why not ask others if they want to go?"
So folks would anyone be interested?
I can get my hands on a minibus/people carrier that will only really cost fuel plus a donation to the people I would borrow it from (a registered charity) and I can drive it at no cost other than that.
I would plan to probably to start out from Towcester and tackle each arm in turn setting out to Blisworth then drive to Olney returning to Towcester. Then if time (if not then do another day out) do to Banbury then off to Broom to return to Towcester.
Let me know and we can see what we can work out - no time limit or anything just putting the idea out there.
ATVB
G
Views: 433
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jim Goodman on
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Hi Gary,
I'd be interested your planned trip.
My brother and I walked most of the line about 35 years ago including all the station sites. Some bits were out of bounds, but there was still quite a lot to see. It would be nice to go round the sites again, not that I can remember too much from 35 years ago!
Jim.
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Permalink Reply by Robin Cullup on
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I would like to take part in a trip along the line(s), should the date be convenient.
I await further details.
Regards,
Robin Cullup
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Permalink Reply by Gary on
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Hi chaps.
Thanks for the interest.
I'm trying to work out when I'm free - it is a pain working every other weekend sometimes.
Does anyone have a preference to a date or a day? If not I'll just book the van and a day off and let you all know.
ATVB
G
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Hi Gary,
Any day should be OK with me.
I am busy October 29th to November 1st, so any date other than those.
Jim.
Gary said:Hi chaps.
Thanks for the interest.
I'm trying to work out when I'm free - it is a pain working every other weekend sometimes.
Does anyone have a preference to a date or a day? If not I'll just book the van and a day off and let you all know.
ATVB
G
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Greetings chaps,
Sorry for being so quiet on this but work is getting in the way.
Due to one thing and another it is not going to be possible until January next year - I'll get a date and book the vehicle and take it from there.
Sorry again but hope you understand
ATVB
G
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Hello folks.
It is looking like the tour will be on the 23rd January 2011
Will fully confirm this in the next week.
ATVB
G
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Permalink Reply by Andy Thompson on
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Gary
Please give me all the details and I'll publicise it for you. Can guarantee to make it tho! Andy
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Ok. Have made the arrangements (leave and vehicle) and the tour will be on the 23rd January 2011.
My initial throught was to start in Towcester but seeing as I live in Warwick and want to try to get as much of the line done in one hit if possible, but this is not the aim, I want quality trip over quantitly.
I was now thinking of meeting up at Stratford somewhere (P&R if open?) and working Broom - Towcester - Blisworth - Ravenstone Wood - Towcester - Banbury and back to Stratford and calling at all intermediate stations.
What works best for yourselves? I have 6 spaces in the mini-van and would appreciate a donation to the charity (Response) who we are bowrrowing it from at no charge.
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Hi Gary,
Jan 23rd is fine with me.
I live nearer the other end of the line in Kettering, Northants, but Stratford as a stating place is OK with me.
Jim.
Gary said:
Ok. Have made the arrangements (leave and vehicle) and the tour will be on the 23rd January 2011.
My initial throught was to start in Towcester but seeing as I live in Warwick and want to try to get as much of the line done in one hit if possible, but this is not the aim, I want quality trip over quantitly.
I was now thinking of meeting up at Stratford somewhere (P&R if open?) and working Broom - Towcester - Blisworth - Ravenstone Wood - Towcester - Banbury and back to Stratford and calling at all intermediate stations.
What works best for yourselves? I have 6 spaces in the mini-van and would appreciate a donation to the charity (Response) who we are bowrrowing it from at no charge.
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Happy New Year.
Ok Guys the day is getting closer so what is it you would like to get from the day? I know what I would like to do but it is a day for all.
I'm going to need a list of those wanting to come along for certain ASAP. We've a few miles to cover so will need to be meting up quite early too.
Pub lunch stop ok for folks?
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Hi Gary,
Sunday 23rd is OK with me so count me in.
I'm happy to go with the flow. Just to get to see what's happened to all the station sites since closure, and since in the 1970's when I walked most of it, would be of interest to me.
I have visited odd bits of it since then, even went to Salcey Forest and Stoke Bruene last summer.
Early start and pub lunch is fine with me.
Looking forward to it.
Regards, Jim.
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Don't forget your cameras guys! Andy
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