‘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
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 go.
Having visited the sites we have so far I have to admit I'd love to be able to properly go back onto each site with tools and a metal detector and be allowed to clear the site and properly log and record what survives under the overgrowth, debris and detritus. It is very unlikely ever to happen but it would be good to properly look, explore and examine. To make a lasting record of what we have today from a line that closed 40+ years ago.
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Comment by Andy Thompson on March 2, 2011 at 19:43
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Gary
Museum! Wow, that's been muttered about for years!! I've just sent them an email to make our interests known - see what happens. As far as Stoke Bruerne goes, it's David Blagrove we need to pursue - I have planted the seed with him.
Andy
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Comment by Gary on March 2, 2011 at 7:45
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Andy,
That is partly the reason I started the "Where do we want to be in 10 years time" thread.
We all on here share a common interest in the line but where do we go from here? Do we stay as an "appreciation" society or do we want something to show for our interest and enjoyment of the line?
Stoke Bruerne is a good start for a permanent exhibition. Even just a small display in Towcester's museum would be something. SB would be good for a bigger display. Is there anywhere else? Perhaps a presence at G/WR as it has a connection to our line after all? Perhaps we ought to become a more established society?
G
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Gary
Indeed! That point raises a bigger question in my mind - "what are we all about?" I think a line survey is a great idea. I have already approached David Blagrove about having some kind of presence at Stoke Bruerne - do we think this is where we would like to go?
Andy
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