‘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

Evesham Redditch & Stratford-upon-Avon Junction Railway 8 Replies

Did this railway (as opposed to the East & West Junction Railway) go into receivership - if so, when. And when did it come out of receivership?Continue

Started by Richard Maund. Last reply by Richard Maund Feb 11.

Bidford-on-Avon 5 Replies

Shall we bring this discussion under the proper heading!So far as the OS plan surveyed 1885, published 1886, is concerned: the OS liked - wherever they could  - to have text running parallel to the top and bottom borders. When they came to add the…Continue

Started by Richard Maund. Last reply by Richard Maund Feb 10.

North End and Warwick Road stations? 57 Replies

Some time ago we ahd an interesting and lively discussion on the mystery station at Tiffield, which added quite a lot to our collective knowledge.I've recently been looking closely at two of the other mystery stations- at North End (sometimes…Continue

Started by Barry Taylor. Last reply by Richard Maund Jan 27.

1873 timetable 4 Replies

Page 12 of Arthur Jordan's book features a full page reproduction of the E&WJ public timetable handbill for August 1873. Does anyone know where the original of that handbill is preserved?Incidentally, the timetable itself formed the basis of…Continue

Started by Richard Maund. Last reply by Barry Taylor Jan 25.

SMJ photos

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After I'd posted myt comment on 'Slow, Moulding and Jolting', I saw the other entries and realised that local people had got other names for the line. Whilst is seems clear that they do not have a poetic ear, I bow to local knowledge and humbly accept that locally it was known as the Slow Miserable and Jolty. In the University City of Oxford it was named as I put it. I always thought it was a wonderfully mysterious railway and very romantic. The LMS ran express goods over it from St. Panctas to Bristol!. All these old contractor's ines, built as cheaply as possible but yet foll;owing very useful cross-country courses, were failures commercially but wonderfully evocative and generally magic. The King's Sutton Junction to Andoversford Jc line through Stow-on-the-Wold, the Midland & South Western Junction from Andoversford Jc to Andover (and Southampton) marvellous railways. My friend SId Mumford, born about 1920, was very keen on the SMJ and was very attracted to Cockley Brake Jc. for its remoteness which is magicalness. He was a Special Class signalman at Oxford. Great railways, great people, great days.

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Adrian
Don't worry! We like a nice SMJ debate here! You drop as many bomb-shells as you like, you're just helping to keep the memory of the SMJ alive!
Andy
Andy Thompson said:
Adrian
Don't worry! We like a nice SMJ debate here! You drop as many bomb-shells as you like, you're just helping to keep the memory of the SMJ alive!
Andy
Adrian

According to Peter's researches it was known as your version by an old lady from Stratford as well.

All the best

Dick
Dick said:
Adrian

According to Peter's researches it was known as your version by an old lady from Stratford as well.

All the best

Dick
adrian vaughan said:
Dick said:
Adrian

According to Peter's researches it was known as your version by an old lady from Stratford as well.

All the best

Dick
That's what we want to hear Adrian. You must have a million railway stories - if you can dig out some SMJ ones (or dig out some from others by starting a debate) then carry on!!

Andy
Speaking of the magicalness of the SMJ, my source wrote that ..."it was a slow line"!! In fact, she said, it was so slow that whilst the train was in motion , you could get out, pick moon- daisies at the side of the track, and get back on again!!
Peter S Lewis said:
Speaking of the magicalness of the SMJ, my source wrote that ..."it was a slow line"!! In fact, she said, it was so slow that whilst the train was in motion , you could get out, pick moon- daisies at the side of the track, and get back on again!!
adrian vaughan said:
Peter S Lewis said:
Speaking of the magicalness of the SMJ, my source wrote that ..."it was a slow line"!! In fact, she said, it was so slow that whilst the train was in motion , you could get out, pick moon- daisies at the side of the track, and get back on again!!
In Stratford it was often also known as The Slow, Mournful Journey. (Usually by staff employed by its larger neighbour the GWR but I won't mention the Gas Works!). In the fifties and sixties I also heard it called the "Smudge".
In and around West Northants, Towcester and Blakesley, some 60 yrs ago the SMJ was often referred to as the Save Me Jesus - perhaps a bit non pc by todays standards!
I like that one a lot - best ever.

A.

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