‘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

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Hi everyone. I have just joined. I live in Pasadena, California, but for many years I lived in Northamptonshire. Not sure whether this is useful to you guys, but stored away in the UK I have dozens of color slides taken when I walked the SMJ (over several days) witha friend named Bryan Jeyes. We both took many photos. I also have pictures of Blisworth Mines steam locos at work, Towcester station (in black and white) and detailed notes of the whole route, including both Banbury and Blisworth lines, made just as the lines were demolished. I have often wondered whether these pictures would be of interest. No trains, by the way, just stations, bridges, signal boxes etc. I have also posted on my Flickr site an aerial view of some of the route (www.flickr.com/photos/the-evanses) and go to SETS and "flying". I hope this is the right place for this information.

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Yes yes yes!! John (please!)

Andy
Bryan Jeyes? Any relation to Maurice?

Andy

Hello John

 

Great photos!!!

 

I am making a N gauge model of Towcester station, do you have any pictures of the Lucas bridge in your collection? There seems to be a shortage.

 

All the best

 

Brian

Hi Brian 

Great to hear from you. Photos of the bridge are very rare and I stupidly only photographed it from the platform level. I have several (all?) the SMJ books and it does not appear in any of them. Best to try the Towcester and District Historical Society. They have a decent archive of stuff.

John

Hi Brian & John

I just have one decent photo of the 'Lucas' bridge'  - unfortunately not taken from road level, but it nevertheless does show the 'road' side to some extent, particularly the advert.

Hope this helps

regards

Barry

Attachments:

brian

Presumably you've seen the picture in Andy TFC's Towcester 'Album' on this website. If not follow the 'SMJ Photos' link at the top of the page, then 'All albums' link. Its obn one of the early pages of albums Page 5 it should be or there abouts.

Dick 

Brian Elphick said:

Hello John

 

Great photos!!!

 

I am making a N gauge model of Towcester station, do you have any pictures of the Lucas bridge in your collection? There seems to be a shortage.

 

All the best

 

Brian

Hello Barry

 

Thanks for that this is the best photo so far.

 

Regards

 

Brian

Barry Taylor said:

Hi Brian & John

I just have one decent photo of the 'Lucas' bridge'  - unfortunately not taken from road level, but it nevertheless does show the 'road' side to some extent, particularly the advert.

Hope this helps

regards

Barry

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