‘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"
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
Layouts based on actual SMJR locations are few and far between. Due to being given notice on clubroom, Olney as featured in BRM Sept 2023 is for sale!This is a rare opportunity to acquire a beautiful, 15 years in the making, ready to run model…Continue
Hi all members.I was wondering if you could help by subscribing to my YouTube channel ‘NWP EXPLORING’ Mainly railway history and some exploring the SMJ .im planning to explore and video more of the SMJ , and if you have a desired area you would…Continue
An improbable, funny, but absolutely true story relating to the Kineton military railway.Long after my Army days I still retained an affection and passing interest in Kineton ammunition depot where I served during the 1960s. Coupled to a 'love' of…Continue
Started by Dave Hayward. Last reply by Henry Jul 10.
Permalink Reply by Gary on December 7, 2020 at 15:07
It was single track yes, although engineered to double, apart from Goldicote Cutting.
Towcester to Greens Norton Junction was originally a double track section but was later remodelled to parallel single lines with no connection other than at Towcester.
Just to qualify Gary's earlier comment - the line from Towcester to Greens Norton was in fact originally just single track, with a loop, a junction, and two signal boxes at Greens Norton. The loop was shortened and one signal box removed in 1894, and then in 1910 the junction and remaining signal box was abolished by the newly formed SMJR. At that point the layout became two single lines from Towcester. At Towcester the former east and west signal boxes were closed and one new taller box constructed (the one that survived through to closure of the line)
The track bed from Towcester to Greens Norton was built for double line, but there was also some widening done west of the Watling Street bridge as part of the 1910 alterations, on which new sidings were placed.