‘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
Funny Story about Kineton Military Railway 1 Reply
An improbable, funny, but absolutely true story relating to the Kineton military railway.Long after my Army days I still retained an affection and passing interest in Kineton ammunition depot where I served during the 1960s. Coupled to a 'love' of…Continue
Started by Dave Hayward. Last reply by Dave Hayward on Sunday.
Blisworth - Towcester ETS working
Electric train staff equipment had been brought into use between Blisworth and Towcester by 9 August 1910 (date of SMJR minute 451 (TNA file RAIL 674/3)) and presumably the new signal box at Blisworth appeared at the same time. In that this was so…Continue
Started by Richard Maund Apr 20.
Blisworth 1920
SMJ board minute 1474 of 13 April 1921 (TNA file RAIL 674/4) approved that “the following expenditure be charged to Capital” for year 1920: “Blisworth: Signalling and alterations to Permanent Way, Improvements and additional signalling: £800”. In…Continue
Started by Richard Maund Apr 20.
Evesham Redditch & Stratford-upon-Avon Junction Railway 8 Replies
Did this railway (as opposed to the East & West Junction Railway) go into receivership - if so, when. And when did it come out of receivership?Continue
Started by Richard Maund. Last reply by Richard Maund Feb 11.
SMJ photos
LMS Cheap day (3rd Class) return ticket - Towcester (File0020)
Add a Comment
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Comment by Richard Hopkins on December 8, 2009 at 14:15
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Dick is correct. The economic reality for railway companies in the mid 1800’s was that, while the popularity of railway travel was growing for all classes in society, the proportion of third-class passengers in the total number of passengers carried had grown from approximately one third in the late 1850’s to about three quarters by the early 1870’s.
The Midland Railway in 1872 was the first company to provide carriages for third-class passengers on all its trains. In 1875 it also led the way in being the first company to abolish second-class carriages altogether and reduced fares for first-class passengers from 3d per mile to the former second-class basis of 2d per mile. The fare for third-class passengers remained fixed on the basis of 1d per mile up until World War 1.
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Comment by Dick Bodily on December 6, 2009 at 20:16
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Andy
Second class disappeared early on many railways as few people patronised it so when it was abolished the companies didn't want the 'plebs' to think they were getting an upgrade for nothing or get ideas 'above their station' so the ordinary compartments were still labelled third class.
No pun intended about ideas above their station, but did you hear about the station master who kept disappearing up onto his station roof so that he could think clearly.........
he got sacked for having ideas above his station.
Dick
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Comment by Andy Thompson on December 6, 2009 at 15:50
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What's the deal with 'Third Class'? Was there a second class and if not - why not? Andy
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