‘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"
Electric train staff equipment had been brought into use between Blisworth and Towcester by 9 August 1910 (date of SMJR minute 451 (TNA file RAIL 674/3)) and presumably the new signal box at Blisworth appeared at the same time. In that this was so…Continue
SMJ board minute 1474 of 13 April 1921 (TNA file RAIL 674/4) approved that “the following expenditure be charged to Capital” for year 1920: “Blisworth: Signalling and alterations to Permanent Way, Improvements and additional signalling: £800”. In…Continue
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.
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.
44317 from Bedford shed on an SMJ freight - the first part of the train look like either iron ore or coal wagons. The track is interesting (see also next pic)as it has been newly ballasted - which bit of the SMJ was reballasted around the late 1950's?
Comment by Barry Taylor on March 26, 2013 at 12:34
Seems as though this is Chadshunt between Burton Dassett and Kineton (see Alwyn's reply on the other photo) looking east, into the morning sun, which accounts for the 'thin' nature of the exposure.The train could therefore well be the departure around 7.10am, from Olney, which started earlier at Bedford, and got to Burton Dassett at around 9.45am - and this also fits with 44317's allocation. Another one solved - thanks Alwyn!
You need to be a member of The SMJ Society to add comments!
Join The SMJ Society