‘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 on Sunday.
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
Black 5 at Blakesley
The final days. A Black '5' at Blakesley
Albums: Locos, Blakesley, The SMJ Remembered
Location: Blakesley, UK
Add a Comment
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Comment by Ron Fisher on July 7, 2009 at 22:27
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It is indeed a Black 5 - 45287, in fact, as stated in my caption.
Ron.
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Comment by Dick Bodily on July 3, 2009 at 13:34
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I like all of your SMJR pictures, Ron. I know Andy has transfered them along with a lot of others 'en block' from the old website. Hence the error, this is in fact a Black 5. I used to live at Blakesley at the time you took these pictures and know that Black 5s were really rare on trains through there. Usually the pickup was a Northampton 4F and the Blisworth iron ore trains were their 8Fs. Presumably Northampton had nothing more suitable on the day. Not sure but this engine may have been a Bedford 14E loco.
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Blakesley station on the Stratford upon Avon & Midland Junction Railway in Northamptonshire once had a 15 inch gauge miniature railway connecting it to the nearby Blakesley Hall. This had long gone by January, 1964 when I photographed Stanier 'Black 5' 4-6-0 45287 on a freight working.
Ron Fisher.
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