‘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
Paul Parsons's Page
Lives in Brackley, Northants and is a volunteer signalman on the Severn Valley Railway. Enjoys all aspects of local railway history.
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Paul,
This is the link.....
http://thesmjr.ning.com/forum/topics/smj150-150-years-since-the-railway-arrived-at-towcester
Peter
Hello Paul,
Good point!
Though we're not just in cyber space!
We had a get together in Stratford last year...and something is being planned for 2016...in anticipation of 150 years since the line began..
SMJ150...!! There is a thread in the forum on the subject, I think!
Kind regards,
Peter
Hello Paul,
I think most of us fall into the same category...either being aware of the railway in our childhood, then coming across it, so to speak , in another age and time....
It is fascinating to hear/read about the line in its heyday..although, I think, it never really had one.....Still, it was, and is, part of the landscape of the area....you can still see the remains..!
Kind regards,
Peter
hello Paul,
A warm welcome to the SMJ site!
Do you have any connections with the line?
Peter