‘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
Wartime passenger trains from Burton Dassett
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 yesterday.
PPhoto Albums
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 May 17.
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.
National Archives, Donation and Kineton Photograph
Not sure if others are aware of the significant amount of documents held by the National Archives on the SMJ. The collection consists mainly of Directors Minutes etc. There is also a collection of early 20th C timetables, handbills etc. which I have…Continue
Started by Dave Hayward Apr 26.
SMJ photos
Greens Norton
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Greens Norton Greens Norton wasn't a station on the SMJ, but a very important crossing point. Greens Norton was the point at which the East & West Junction Railway Joined the Northampton & Banbury Junction railway and where in 1864, Lady Palmerston cut the first sod |
The 2009 images were kindly taken and sent in by Kieron Griffiths ~ thanks Kieron!
Greens Norton, at one point had 2 signal boxes but lost its 'Junction' status when in 1910 re-signalling at Towcester gave the station 4 running lines, two out at each end of the station all controlled from Towcester. By June 1910, a second set of rails had been laid to Greens Norton from Towcester a station at the A5 bridge (number 12) and the section was worked as two separate single lines, enabling the Greens Norton Boxes to be abolished.
A new box at Towcester was ordered from The Railway Signalling Co, at a cost of £1, 350. plus £200 for signalling alterations. The Railway Signalling Co, had its plans drawn up by the 5th of July and on the 7th of February 1911 Major Pringle inspected the new work. The former West and East boxes at Towcester were combined into the 3-tiered box we all know, situated behind the footbrige at the eastern end of the island platform.
The re-signalling work enabled savings to be made by the new SMJ, 4 Signal Boxes became one, saving on labour/maintenance, as well as allowing to cuts on trains running through to Blisworth. In the late 80's the former SMJ trackbed between bridges 14 and 15 near the junction of Greens Norton was severed by the Towcester by-pass.
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