‘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
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
65.5.10A October 1965 Blisworth station
Add a Comment
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Comment by Gary on August 24, 2009 at 8:12
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Gents,
I don't suppose there was some remodelling happening at Northampton at the time thus displacing the activities from there to here?
Just a tought
G
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Comment by Peter Fleming on August 23, 2009 at 20:02
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Dick.
I can't really help as I never knew. There must be notes in the magazines of the time (Railway Magazine, Railway Observer etc.)
I am fairly sure that it did NOT involve using the SMJ line (as you say it had closed by then apaprt from the ironstne quarry but was probbaly still open when Blisworth renovation first took place), just the sidings and platforms at Blisworth.
I am fairly sure that road traffic was not involved, which makes it even odder - if it wasn't it must have just meant transfer and Blsworth seems an odd place for that.
I seem to recall that the rebuilding of Euston station (with subsequent reduced capacity) was somehow behind it. I would welcome an explanation from someone who knows.
Assuming that the SMJ line was not used, it was an awkward manouvre to get from the main lines (and the Northampton line) into the SMJ platforms.
Peter
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Comment by Dick Bodily on August 22, 2009 at 12:57
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Peter
Can you recall whether this parcel traffic was transferred to road haulage at Blisworth? Obviously the SMJ had closed, was it parcels bound for former SMJ served places like Towcester, etc. which were no longer served by rail? Or was it just somewhere where vans were shunted, or even an onerspill for Northampton. I would have expected that all parcels traffic would have been centred on Northampton especially as the majority of freight and parcels traffic went around the loop.
Dick
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The station almost looks open, but of course it is not.
Note the new white canopy and parcels van in the SMJ bay. This was the period when it was used for parcels traffic.
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