‘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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Passenger Trains connected to the SMJ

Following on from the previous discussion about WD passenger trains on the SMJ during the 1940s; it must be said that passenger trains ran on metals connected to the SMJ until the mid 1960s. There was a passenger service from the nearest point to…Continue

Started by Dave Hayward 5 hours ago.

Wartime passenger trains from Burton Dassett 3 Replies

Arthur Jordan in his book, The Stratford Upon Avon and Midland Junction Railway - The Shakespeare Route at pp 82 mentions a WW2 late night special from Stratford on Avon to Burton Dassett for soldiers at the CAD. I would envisage that this did not…Continue

Started by Dave Hayward. Last reply by Dave Hayward 5 hours ago.

PPhoto Albums 1 Reply

AndyAbout two years ago I ended up with some railway matter from a Bill Kendall who had been a Signalman on SMJ ending his railway career at Northampton No 1. I worked with him when I was working in Rugby PSB, I also covered the signa?l boxes at…Continue

Started by Robin Leslie Patrick. Last reply by Dave Hayward Jun 8.

Broom Junction station site for sale 3 Replies

Great opportunity for an SMJ enthusiast perhaps. I'm not sure what you could actually do with this site though!…Continue

Started by Simon Stevens. Last reply by Simon Stevens May 17.

SMJ photos

Woodford Engines working eastwards over the SMJ Route.

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.

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