‘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
Moreton Pinkney station
A very old lady who lived for many years in Moreton Pinkney has just sent me this photograph of the station in East and West Junction days, possible in the 1890s. The people are on the westbound platform and are formally attired. Maybe they are going to the Mop Fair at Stratford? This picture is not in any of my SMJ books (Dunn, Jordan, Riley and Barry Taylor's excellent new work).
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Comment by John Evans on November 23, 2017 at 17:34
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Of course - it's Blakesley that's on the south side of the line. Silly of me, considering I went there several times! Thanks Dick.
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Comment by Dick Bodily on November 23, 2017 at 14:42
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John,
They are about to board a train heading towards Towcester so it's not for the Mop. My guess is either a Towcester Races special or more likely (seeing the number of children present) they are going to Blakesley Show which was then a big agricultural and horticultural show with various attractions including a sizable funfair. It was held on C W Bartholomew's land at Blakesley Hall grounds, Woodend and specials as well as service trains were laid on. Visitors could buy all in entry tickets including a ride to and from the show from the station on CWB's miniature railway. Late night specials were run to take home people who had stopped on for the evening dance at the showground.
Dick
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