‘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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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.

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.

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.

Loco N° 5. 2-4-0T

Hi everybodyI’m building a OO gauge model of Fenny Compton and Clifford Sidings over here in Belgium.Quite a strange idea but so be it…In view of this I plan to transform a RTR Beatie Well Tank into SMJR N° 5 the 2-4-0T and use some etchings for the…Continue

Started by Jack Freuville Aug 29.

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

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Gary on January 12, 2011 at 10:25

Just to keep you up dated the P&R is closed so looking for another idea where to meet up.

Ah brainwave...Park at the former Stratford SMJ station in the Greenway car park and set out from here. We can decide whether to head to West to Broom first or just head East and if we can do the Broom bit on our return if we have time.

Meet up for 8:45 for a 9 set off shall we say?

If we have a definate list of names we can set off as soon as we are all there.

Here's hoping for the weather!

ATVB

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Permalink Reply by Jim Goodman on January 17, 2011 at 17:12

Hi Gary,

Count me as definite.

Obviously coming from the east I would like to do the stations towards Broom first, although I did see them as recently as 5 years ago!

In case of problems my number's 07951 064090.

08.45 on Sunday then.

regards, Jim.

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Permalink Reply by Gary on January 23, 2011 at 20:39

Thank you gentlemen for a grand day out.
I'll be in touch with a date to do the remaining stations - "the missing link".
I've posted some of the photos already; Stratford, Broom, Broom South, Bidford and Binton. I'll post the rest at the end of the week.
Thanks once again and here's to the next one.
ATVB
G

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Permalink Reply by Jim Goodman on January 25, 2011 at 17:28

Thank you Gary for a great day out. Lots of memories and good company too.

Jim.

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Permalink Reply by John Jennings on January 27, 2011 at 10:53

Gary said:

Thank you gentlemen for a grand day out.
I'll be in touch with a date to do the remaining stations - "the missing link".
I've posted some of the photos already; Stratford, Broom, Broom South, Bidford and Binton. I'll post the rest at the end of the week.
Thanks once again and here's to the next one.
ATVB
G

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Permalink Reply by Gary on January 28, 2011 at 10:14

Dear all,

I've uploaded the bulk of the photos taken and all in the appropriate "album".

Hope they are of interest to you.

Watch for more from the tour as we visit the missing places - or as many as possible again.

ATVB
G

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Permalink Reply by Gary on February 10, 2011 at 9:38

Update:

For anyone who want to join us, part 2 of the tour is on the 26th Feb - 3 spaces left in the van if anyone is interested. Probably meeting up in Warwick this time.

Planning to do the middle bit we were unable to do last time.

ATVB

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Permalink Reply by Gary on February 19, 2011 at 8:26

Just a reminder folks - Line Tour part 2 is next Saturday (26th February) - let me know if you want to come along.

Calling at all (if we have time) from Stratford to Towcester. Including a slight detour to Woodford Halse.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Goodman on February 19, 2011 at 10:16

Hi Gary,

I will make it next Saturday. Where are we meeting up?

Regards, Jim.

Gary said:

Just a reminder folks - Line Tour part 2 is next Saturday (26th February) - let me know if you want to come along.

Calling at all (if we have time) from Stratford to Towcester. Including a slight detour to Woodford Halse.

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Permalink Reply by Gary on February 24, 2011 at 11:45

For those who have expressed and interest - check your in-boxes please.

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Permalink Reply by Gary on February 28, 2011 at 21:24

I'd just like to thank my fellow "Tourists" for yet another enjoyable day out and to appologise for the 5 minute walk that was just a little longer and involved a bit of a backtrack (no pun intended).

Plans for "Line Tour part III" have been made and will happen soon so watch out for more photos soon.

Just in case anyone is wondering; we have removed nothing that we have found during our tours to date (save a singular lump of coal) only taking photos of any artifacts in situ as we go.

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Permalink Reply by Gary on November 19, 2011 at 10:41

Greetings all.

Appologies for not being here much but major internet problems and the filthy four letter word "work" have stopped me.

I had planned to conclude the line tour this year but various events have over taken me and have to put it off until early in teh new year. I am very keen to complete the tour and, then following discussion with Alwyn "recently", perhaps tackle the ironstone lines that have connections with the line so we have a fuller picture of the line as possible,

I will have a look and see when it will be possible to do and will get back in touch.

Seasons greetings to you all and your families. To my fellow "Tourists" I will add, don't worry we will finish the line!