‘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
Byfield Ironstone Co Locomotive
Image taken circa 1961. Almost certainly out of use and parked just outside the shed. Bagnall 2654/42 "Cherwell" The importance of the Northamptonshire ironstone for the war effort can be judged by the fact that this loco was authorised to be built in 1942 when all such orders were subject to review by the authorities and only passed on merit for use in the war effort. The total production of Byfield iron ore was shipped via the ex SMJ line.
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Comment by Andy Thompson on November 10, 2012 at 10:25
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John
Sorry I didnt have time to add the images - busy, busy!
Andy
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Comment by John Jennings on November 7, 2012 at 20:02
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I was reluctant to post this image because I have to admit that I have lost the records of the day. I cannot accurately date it except to say that it was 1961 possibley March / April. I have good reason to be sure that it was not a Sunday but may have been a Saturday or during Easter. The other loco was locked in the shed. I recall that I examined the tyres of the driving wheels and they were fairly rusty indicating that the loco had been in that spot for some time. Sorry that I cannot give any further useful info.
John
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Could this photograph have been taken on a sunday ?
Where was the Avonside ?
It's winter time as the driver is using tarps and sacking to prevent the wind from blowing into the cab when up in the pit as it was somewhat exposed and having to wait for the 43rb to load the tipplers could be a cold experience.
Stephen Robbins
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