‘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 seats at York Museum ?

I took my grandson to the National Railway Museum on Dec. 30th and noticed two bench seats, of the type found on station platforms until traditional stations were replaced with bus-shelters. Both bear the title " STRATFORD " - I'll try and upload…Continue

Started by Paul Atherton Jan 5.

More building at Towcester 2 Replies

I hear there has been more building at the station site in Towcester.Anyone know what they've dug up?…Continue

Tags: Towcester

Started by Andy Thompson. Last reply by Nigel Nov 7, 2024.

Broom History Group Event 9th November 2024

Broom History Group will be holding an event at Broom Village Hall 2-4pm on 9th November 2024 including a film on the railway and Broom Junction.…Continue

Started by Simon Stevens Oct 25, 2024.

Misunderstanding Easton Neston 2 Replies

Hello, I'm a new member and I've searched through the articles and can't find anything specific to my answer/ question. Can anyone help?…Continue

Started by Matt Davis. Last reply by Matt Davis Oct 16, 2024.

SMJ photos

0-4-0St "Ettrick" at Blisworth Mines

It's April 11 1967 at Blisworth Mines, Northamptonshire, and the engines in steam are "Ettrick" and "Siemens." I think "Ettrick", seen here, was a Hawthorn Leslie product built in 1928. As my copies of Tonks's "Ironstone Railways" books are in the UK and I am in California, I have no idea what happened to her when the quarry closed in September 1967. She had been given a quick coat of pale blue paint over her previous handsome green in 1965. It did nothing for her looks, but "Ettrick" was always my favorite of the Blisworth stud. I've no idea about her name, except that there is a place on the Scottish borders named Ettrick. (A Flickr contact now tells me she was initially saved for preservation but scrapped after two years. His friend has the name and builder's plates. Sad.)