‘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
1890 photograph of Roade
This 1890 photograph of Roade shows the SMJ bay under construction. It was probably taken on the same day as the clip already on your site but close inspection will show it is a different picture.
I purchased this at an auction of the late Blisworth historian George Freestones memorabillia some years ago.
Dave Chambers
Albums: Olney Branch
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Comment by Barry Taylor on March 19, 2010 at 17:02
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Nice to see this picture again Dave - I was at the same auction and saw it there, but didn't chase it as I was looking for books instead. I've often wondered since just where it went and have tried to find a copy. As you say it is similar to the other shot, and there are several others too- probably taken on the same day - looking the other way from the footbridge, and also up along the curve to the SMJ. These have appeared in one or two books on the SMJ, but it is very unusual to actually see a picture of the SMJ bay platform in situ - usually it has been infilled and you can just see the outline of it instead. This one predates them all as the bay is obviously not yet fully in use - although of course it was never used for its intended purpose of a service to Towcester.
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