‘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

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.

Broom Junction station site for sale 3 Replies

Great opportunity for an SMJ enthusiast perhaps.  I'm not sure what you could actually do with this site though!…Continue

Started by Simon Stevens. Last reply by Simon Stevens May 17.

SMJ photos

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Featured Blog Posts (6)

Upcoming 150 Year Anniversary of opening of Blisworth-Towcester line.

Bit of advance notice, but on April 30th 2016, it will be 150 years since the opening of Blisworth - Towcester line.

Surely worth a celebration of some sort / get together at the Blisworth/Towcester end?

Graham Campion

Added by GRAHAM CAMPION on March 4, 2015 at 20:21 — 5 Comments

Locomotives at Towcester, 1960-1963

Unidentified B.R. Standard 75xxx was in fact Leicester Midland's 75060. (Photo has been found!).

Further locomotives I managed a footplate ride on at Towcester around 1960/1, were 44239, 44522 and 44535. (Old notebook located).

Added by Graham Campion on May 8, 2014 at 7:59 — No Comments

Winter Walks

I've been in touch with forum member Gary who organised last winter's Grand tour. I've suggested we could complete it this winter with the addition of some other sites with S.M.J. 

connections. I've no doubt Gary will post details in due course.

Alwyn.

Added by alwyn sparrow on September 3, 2011 at 19:17 — No Comments

Ettington signal arm

Whilst reading John Evans blog about finding signal arms at Woodford Halse it reminded me of the Ettington one I have.11B signal came off the only bracket signal at Ettington and was used when Ettington signal box was switched out to allow through running towards Clifford sidings using the long section token (Clifford sidings-Kineton). The arm is wooden and well well be one of the original R.S.C. arms.

Added by alwyn sparrow on March 27, 2011 at 14:28 — No Comments

Line tour thoughts.

I'd know I put some of this on the discussion thread but once again I would just like to thank my fellow "Tourists" for yet another enjoyable day out and to appologise for the 5 minute walk that was just a little longer and involved a bit of a backtrack (no pun intended).

 

Just in case anyone is wondering; we have removed nothing that we have found during our tours to date (save a singular lump of coal) only taking photos of any artifacts in situ as we…

Continue

Added by Gary on February 28, 2011 at 22:00 — 3 Comments

Todays tour

Thanks Gary for organising another interesting day out despite the rain.  Same good company as usual. I think it gets better each trip!

Alwyn. 

Added by alwyn sparrow on February 26, 2011 at 20:08 — 1 Comment

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