‘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
BLAKESLEY and an SMJ stamp
This item has come up in an auction recently and is a glimpse of the practice of carrying mail by train. Apart from the SMJ…Continue
Started by Graham Ward Nov 14.
Further about Ravenstone Wood Junction 1 Reply
Firstly a belated thanks to Barry for his excellent research that has returned these signal lever plates to their rightful home! [Perhaps their place of residence on the website needs changing!] Apologies for starting s new Forum discussion on this…Continue
Started by Dave Hayward. Last reply by Barry Taylor Oct 23.
Ravenstone Wood Junction Signal Box-an anomaly 3 Replies
Closely examining the brass lever plates shown in the Olney Line entry in the Index Section of this website I noticed a significant anomaly. Some of the above plates, specifically 1, 10, 11, 12, 25, 32, 34. refer to platforms, loading dock, goods…Continue
Started by Dave Hayward. Last reply by Barry Taylor Oct 9.
SMJ keys from the Towcester area 1 Reply
I have been contacted by someone who wishes to dispose of two sets of SMJ-related keys from the Towcester area, but does not want to put personal email or other details on this website. They have been given to him by the estate manager at Easton…Continue
Started by Barry Taylor. Last reply by Barry Taylor Sep 4.
SMJ photos
THE KILN AT SHOWSLEY, WAS THIS FOR LIME, BRICKS OR CALCINING ?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by NIGEL on
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This is from the BULLETIN OF INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY IN CBA GROUP 9, JAN 1969.
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Permalink Reply by Stephen on
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If I can add to this discussion.
I believe that the kiln at Showsley is or rather was a calcine kiln, it resembles a brick kiln, but it was never used for calcining. It was used as a workmans mess room.
Hope that helps
Stephen Robbins
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Hello Stephen, can you shed some more light on this, do you know when this kiln was erected ?
Do you have family or friends who know about this kiln ?
Thanks for the info.
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I came across a reference to the 'kiln' in one of the ES Tonks books.
I believe I had said previously that the 'kiln' was a brick kiln on another thread. I was wrong
The 'kiln' looks like a brick kiln but was going to be used as a calcining kiln for the ironstone. I assume had the building been used for calcining ironstone the stone would have been barrowed in.
I would have thought that it would have been a very smokey environment and not much stone would have calcined. I don't know what the dimesions of the building were. It is somewhat small.
I have had experience of working with calcining iron ore and it is a filthy horrible working environment.
Stephen
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