‘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
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.
According to Doug Blake's book ( village historian) Bob Salmons used to work for Mrs Bartholomew and used to go to Blakesley station to collect her newspapers which was specially despatched by W H Smith morning and evening. While he was doing this one day the station master suggested to him that as he spent so much time there he ought to apply for a job on the railway and that exactly what he did. I believe he is still living somewhere in the Towcester area.
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David
I've recently updated and added to the Blakesley page, so if you haven't already had a look at it, here's a link
http://thesmjr.ning.com/page/blakesley-1
Incidentally I lived there during the 50's and 60's so I probably knew your relatives who you stayed with.
Dick Bodily
What is your link with the SMJ? Did you used to live round these parts?
Andy