‘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.
I can remember instances in the 60s of light engine working of Woodford WDs, often hauling dead locos, through Blakesley towards Towcester. These often happened on Saturdays. Presumably they were wandering Midland region locos being returned to more familiar territory ie. Northampton. Among the engines I saw were 9Fs including a Crosti. More interestingly the Crosti was accompanied by a B16. I've since learnt that the B16 had a damaged coupling rod and was also seen at Leicester Midland shed soon after. On rare occasions Woodford engines would deputise for failed Northampton locos on SMJR pickup goods. I once saw a K3 on such a duty, and also recall an L1 on an inspection or route learning train.
Obviously there's a lot of info available about regular daily workings with through freights from the GCR line towards Stratford and South Wales by 2F men BUT does anyone have any information about Woodford crews working eastward on any of the workings I have mentioned.