‘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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Hello All.
Brought myself a trespasser sign to restore. I have seen in it three colors....
Black on white.
White on black.
White on red.
Not sure which one is correct, which would be the authentic color please?
I have been told white on black.
Thanks.
Alan.

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Hi Alan,

From “A History of the Stratford-upon-Avon & Midland Junction Railway” by R C Riley and Bill Simpson, published by Lamplight Publications in 1999:

Page 106: Towcester. The SMJ “Beware of Trains” sign stands out in white paint at the end of the platform protecting the footway across the tracks. Perhaps when the adjacent fence was painted white the sign was painted at the same time?

Page 108: Near Helmdon. The SMJ “Beware of Trains” sign is painted a dark colour (black?) with white letters and a white raised border. However, the bridge plate is painted white with dark letters and a dark raised border.

Neither photograph is dated, but both are in the section "S&MJR as part of the LM&SR".

With regards,

Tim

I seem to remember that in BR days these signs showed vestiges of white background but were mainly rusty. Stations on the SMJ route and probably other lines too were issued with copious quantities of white paint during the WW2 blackout to be used to paint the platform edges so that they stood out a bit to avoid passengers falling in the dark. Bob Salmons who was a wartime signalman at Blakesley told how the stationmaster there got him to use some of this paint to adorn stones around the edge of the station's flower borders to avoid passengers stepping on his precious blooms in the dark!  As trespass signs stood adjacent to station boarded foot crossings possibly it was at this time that they were painted with white backgrounds, to help passengers safely find such crossings on dark cloudy nights. I've seen restored examples of such signs painted with white letters on black and on red backgrounds as well as black letters on white background, so take your pick as to what they were painted in early earlier SMJ and pre-WW2 LMS days.

Thank you. I will do white on black. But I too have seen all three versions,
Alan


Thank you Tim.
Will do White on Black.
Alan
Tim Roy said:

Hi Alan,

From “A History of the Stratford-upon-Avon & Midland Junction Railway” by R C Riley and Bill Simpson, published by Lamplight Publications in 1999:

Page 106: Towcester. The SMJ “Beware of Trains” sign stands out in white paint at the end of the platform protecting the footway across the tracks. Perhaps when the adjacent fence was painted white the sign was painted at the same time?

Page 108: Near Helmdon. The SMJ “Beware of Trains” sign is painted a dark colour (black?) with white letters and a white raised border. However, the bridge plate is painted white with dark letters and a dark raised border.

Neither photograph is dated, but both are in the section "S&MJR as part of the LM&SR".

With regards,

Tim

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