‘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 on Tuesday.
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 on Sunday.
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
Old Town Stratford
Hi All
Following previous notes on our research on Old Town Stratford upon Avon and in particular links into the SMJ, we now have some old pictures and maps of the area on the walls of The West End Pub in Old Town. These pictures include two black and white photos that may not have been seen by members of the SMJ Society. They show the bridge that carried the SMJ over the GWR adjacent to the racecourse from both directions, with an SMJ loco on the bridge in both photos.
Copies of these pictures were given to me by one of my regulars to use in our Old Town display, and his father took the pictures in the 50's. The pictures also show the Halt that was present on the GWR for a few years to allow people to alight for the racecourse.
Can I also ask the member who talked to me about an old SMJ "no trespassing" sign to get in touch again as I don't have any contact details for him.
Roger
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John Jennings on
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Stratford upon Avon Racecourse Platform was opened by the GWR on 6th May 1933 and closed by BR on 21st March 1968. The difference between "Halts" and "Platforms" on the GWR was their length. Halts (like the one at Pebworth) were short and intended for use by railmotors or short trains. Platforms were long to accomodate infrequent but potentially substantial traffic. The Racecourse Platform could accomodate 6 coach trains easily. Both Halts and Platforms had only basic facilities usually a shelter but even that was not provided at Stratford! However it was possible to buy a ticket there on race days. A small wooden box of tickets which were printed with the title "Stratford upon Avon Racecourse Platform" were kept in the booking office at the main Stratford GW station. On racedays a junior clerk drew the short straw and was sent with the ticket box, some petty cash, a stool and umbrella to sit on the platform for the duration that trains were booked to stop on race days. In the early sixties I spent many hours talking to this bored individual who sold very few tickets except as souveniers to enthusiasts.
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Hi John
Thanks for the information. It is all helping to build a picture of Old Town Stratford within which our pub The West End is situated. I am trying to add some old pictures of Old Town to my collection on the pub walls, including some of the SMJ Stratford line/station. I am hoping that the "SMJers" will allow me to use a few of the images that are on the website.
Regards
Roger
John Jennings said:Stratford upon Avon Racecourse Platform was opened by the GWR on 6th May 1933 and closed by BR on 21st March 1968. The difference between "Halts" and "Platforms" on the GWR was their length. Halts (like the one at Pebworth) were short and intended for use by railmotors or short trains. Platforms were long to accomodate infrequent but potentially substantial traffic. The Racecourse Platform could accomodate 6 coach trains easily. Both Halts and Platforms had only basic facilities usually a shelter but even that was not provided at Stratford! However it was possible to buy a ticket there on race days. A small wooden box of tickets which were printed with the title "Stratford upon Avon Racecourse Platform" were kept in the booking office at the main Stratford GW station. On racedays a junior clerk drew the short straw and was sent with the ticket box, some petty cash, a stool and umbrella to sit on the platform for the duration that trains were booked to stop on race days. In the early sixties I spent many hours talking to this bored individual who sold very few tickets except as souveniers to enthusiasts.
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