‘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
Passenger Trains connected to the SMJ
Following on from the previous discussion about WD passenger trains on the SMJ during the 1940s; it must be said that passenger trains ran on metals connected to the SMJ until the mid 1960s. There was a passenger service from the nearest point to…Continue
Started by Dave Hayward Jun 16.
Wartime passenger trains from Burton Dassett 3 Replies
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. Last reply by Dave Hayward Jun 16.
PPhoto Albums 1 Reply
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. Last reply by Dave Hayward Jun 8.
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.
SMJ photos
Olney Branch
The joint committee dicided to build a single-track railway line between Towcester and the Midland main line near Olney in an attempt to save the two companies. The line to Ravenstone Junction branched off from just north of Towcester station and ran through Easton Neston to continue through Shutlanger and crossed over the L.N.W.R. at Roade where a connection was made. There were two intermediate stations:
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Comment by Richard Woods on January 3, 2013 at 0:04
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Unfortunately, the gate at the back of Coulthard Close was removed by the council in May 2012, due to saftey fears. I still look after the SMJ boundry fence, as it can be prone to vandalism, particularly during the summer months.
Richard Woods
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Comment by Andy Thompson on February 29, 2012 at 23:38
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Cant wait! Andy
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I've put myself in charge of the up-keep of the gate since we rescued it in July 2009, and i will be taking my camera, so i should have plenty to show after my journey1
Richard
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My brother ;ives in the Shires. Senna Drive. His son palys at the bottom of Coultard Clos (or somethng) on what was the Olney branch. You've got a lovely orginal gate down there, I have some shots! Dont forget to atke lots of piccys! Andy
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Okay, thanks. I'll be heading out that way on April 9th, i'm planning a mini expedition to walk on from the Permanant way hut in Showsley with my destination being the Salcey Forest station. I went out with my cousins on April 9th 2009 to see the Olney branch and walked from the farm in Piddington until i reached the station. I then discovered a railway chair on the bank which i took back home to where i live, in Towcester. I still have it to this day, along with other railway artifacts which i discovered in the forest behind Coulthard Close, The shires, Towcester, opposite where i live.
Richard
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When last I was there Richard, the under pass could still be walked except for the land owners fencing
Andy
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Is the bridge under the M1 impassable?
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