‘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
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 11 hours ago.
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.
SMJ photos
Towcester station
A sad view, with the demolition men having cleared the signal box and everywhere looking so sad, even from a few weeks earlier. March 19 1966.
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Comment by John Evans on September 16, 2012 at 17:34
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By the way, only the station side was black - the forecourt side was left natural brick colors.
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I've no idea about the black paint. The top was very similar to Blisworth - both had that Methodist chapel look. At this time we went round the whole of the station and I have detailed notes of the layout, rooms and a couple of interior photos which I will post shortly. I also have a "Private" sign here in the USA from a door in Towcester station.
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Comment by Dick Bodily on September 13, 2012 at 14:00
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Si,
It was certainly already like it when the Banbury line closed in 1951 as photos taken on the last day show, much earlier photos show a canopy in place and no black finish just plain bricks. Perhaps it was done when the canopy was removed. One person who might know why would be Evan Dines' daughter, Mrs Townsend, if anyone is in contact with her. She turned up at a couple of Stoke Bruerne get togethers and said that her memory of the station house was that it was extremely cold in winter.
Dick
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Comment by Si Donal on September 12, 2012 at 18:40
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Does anyone have any idea when the upper storey of the Station was painted black and why? Was it a waterproofing measure with a tar type paint? It always looks a little odd!
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