‘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"
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 Apr 28.
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
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
On a snowy day in January 1966 I took a number of photos at Woodford Halse station, but this is the only one with any SMJ relevance. It is taken looking south . Woodford West curve went away to the right of the photo. With signals gone, it was a pretty sad scene, and very different from a few months earlier when we traveled to Marylebone from Rugby Central for the last time.You can see more pictures on my Flickr site. (www.flickr.com/photos/the-evanses
In those days you could pick up all sorts of stuff. I had about 10 bridge plates from the SMJ. I have also got a Weight Restriction notice and my pal Bryan, with whom I conducted all these nefarious operations, has the signal box sign from Ravenstone Wood Junction. Some of the stuff I swapped or sold, some I still have. Bryan probably still has the signals as well. Sadly I lost touch with him in the 1970s.
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