‘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
magnet fishing
Hi everyone, yesterday I did some magnet fishing with the grandchildren from the SMJ bridge over the river Tove in Towester, to great excitement of the children (and myself) we pulled out three chair screws and a rivet which looked similar in style…Continue
Started by Steve Camm Sep 1.
One of the best preserved SMJ bridges? 1 Reply
I was at Ettington the other day and apart from the good shed, which has had a lot of money spent on it including full glazing, the station building is still there. But my attention went to the station bridge (No. 73?) which is in very good…Continue
Started by John Evans. Last reply by Andy Thompson Aug 30.
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.
SMJ photos
Blakesley Miniature Railway
I regret that I have no info on this photo it came in a small collection without any info but perhaps someone can add detail?
Add a Comment
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Comment by Dick Bodily on November 13, 2012 at 14:03
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It's taken on the new extension leading up a steep gradient towards the cowsheds. The farm manager's bungalow, which is still more or less intact depite being abandoned over half a century ago, can be seen in the background. When Andy and I got special permission to visit the site some time ago we were both surprised that any loco could climb such a sttep gradient. Alec Wyatt, CWB's engineer is driving Blacolvesley, the petrol engine
steam outline loco. That could be CWB in the black trilby next to him. A recent picture of the loco which is owned by Dr Bob Tebb and kept at Ravenglass is attached. The hall would be out of sight just to the right of the picture. I've seen a very similar photo in Bob Tebb's book, probably taken on the same occasion, which is described as a visit to BMR by The Railway Club on 20th June 1910.
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