‘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
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 on Monday.
Wartime passenger trains from Burton Dassett
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 on Sunday.
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.
National Archives, Donation and Kineton Photograph
Not sure if others are aware of the significant amount of documents held by the National Archives on the SMJ. The collection consists mainly of Directors Minutes etc. There is also a collection of early 20th C timetables, handbills etc. which I have…Continue
Started by Dave Hayward Apr 26.
SMJ photos
Books and other printed reference to the ex SMJR
02.03%20Stratford%20Transport%20references.doc
03.05%20Lost%20Railways%20of%20Warwickshire%20by%20Geoffrey%20Kings...
I have kept a reference schedule for many years and the recent postings by Dick and others confirm that there is not much out there (in or out of print) that we don't know about. My own list I will place on my page please feel free to use it and include any comments I have made on the site's definitive list in the index. You will note that I have also lodged a separate comment on the SMJ chapter in the book "Lost Railways of Warwickshire". I know only too well how hard it is to write any material for publication but consider that my comments should be put in the public domain. My submission to the publisher produced no response. It is vital that any correction is fair and accurate so please comment on the content of my document ref 03.05.
John
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Comment by Dick Bodily on October 21, 2011 at 10:15
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John
This is spot on criticism of The Lost Railways of Warwickshire as there are several errors as you've pointed out, mind you this is the case to some extent with most of the books and articles on the SMJ, the Riley & Simpson book being riddled with basic errors. Mr Kingscott has done a good job though for those people with a casual interest who want to find out what can still be explore of the county's lost railways in his Northamptonshire book. On another note, I've really enjoyed recently rereading your two articles about your memories of Stratford upon Avon and wondered if you had considered publishing them as they're a cut above the usual articles in magazines? If not have you considered putting the SMJ one onto a page on this website?
I will combine the additional books on your list with the ones I've already put on the webpage when I get around to finding the time to do it carefully.
All the best
Dick
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