‘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

Evesham Redditch & Stratford-upon-Avon Junction Railway 8 Replies

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.

Bidford-on-Avon 5 Replies

Shall we bring this discussion under the proper heading!So far as the OS plan surveyed 1885, published 1886, is concerned: the OS liked - wherever they could  - to have text running parallel to the top and bottom borders. When they came to add the…Continue

Started by Richard Maund. Last reply by Richard Maund Feb 10.

North End and Warwick Road stations? 57 Replies

Some time ago we ahd an interesting and lively discussion on the mystery station at Tiffield, which added quite a lot to our collective knowledge.I've recently been looking closely at two of the other mystery stations- at North End (sometimes…Continue

Started by Barry Taylor. Last reply by Richard Maund Jan 27.

1873 timetable 4 Replies

Page 12 of Arthur Jordan's book features a full page reproduction of the E&WJ public timetable handbill for August 1873. Does anyone know where the original of that handbill is preserved?Incidentally, the timetable itself formed the basis of…Continue

Started by Richard Maund. Last reply by Barry Taylor Jan 25.

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Brian dunn's Comments

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At 11:29 on June 26, 2009, brian dunn said…
Thanks Andy have not used briandunn48@live.co.uk for so long I forgot the 48,all OK now
At 10:05 on June 26, 2009, Andy Thompson said…
Hello hello! SMJ calling!
At 13:53 on June 25, 2009, Andy Thompson said…
Haven't forgotten you Brian - just 'up the wall' busy!

Andy
At 21:14 on June 3, 2009, brian dunn said…
Andy,
Being a complete duffer with computers I have managed to lose all my email access and will have to wait for my mate to come and sort it all out! Have spoken to Lenny Haynes no problem he would be pleased to talk to you about the SMJ one Wednesday in August.Can you please phone me asap on my home number 0121 233 2391 so we can arrange and I can advise him.Computers and Brian do not get on well so I would be grateful if you could please phone as it is so much easier for me,Iwas going to phone you but the message with your number does no longer seem to appear.Thanks Andy and Ilook forward to your phone call ,any time ok if I am not here leave a message and Iwill call you back.
Brian.
At 10:54 on May 28, 2009, Andy Thompson said…
Brian

When would be a good time to ring? We must talk about next month. My schedule is such that I'm worried it won't all work.

I have a talk to give in Henley in Arden on the evening of Tuesday 16th of June. Is Henley very very far from you? I could come and meet you during the day time of Tuesday but you say, 1 there's no parking, and 2 you are too busy during the day. If Henley isn't too far I could do my talk and come onto you after but it would be late (say 11pm) would that work? I could then stay the night and be on my way in the morning.
What say you sir!

Andy
PS My email is info@smjr.info
At 10:19 on May 19, 2009, brian dunn said…
Hi Andy,
When mentioning 40 wpm on Queensland Railways what I should have said was 40 code words per minute. Railway morse telegraphy was very similar to the military and used short words,figures or a combination of both to convey a message rather than sending in full. On QR the telegraphists communicated between themselves at a rapid rate of knots,but sent messages to local Station Masters very slowly. All the codes were in the telegraph code book and could be deciphered by the recipient or used to send messages.
Each morning the main telegraph office in Brisbane sent the time signal to the whole system statewide ie TIME 9.AM.(3 TIMES) Ienjoyed doing that on my days off from my job on the P way.Many stations out in the bush were one man band Station Masters who also dealt with public telegrams they sent the telegrams to the telegraphist on their patch who would relay to Brisbane who would relay to the Brisbane GPO with whom they had a direct connection.
From what the boys in the USA were telling me it was much the same there as Queensland plus all block operators(signalmen)had to be proficient in morse as it was much used to communicate with dispatchers(control)and for making out train orders.
From memory the Signalling Record Society has a Midland Railway telegraphic code book which can be purchased as photocopies. No doubt the SMJ used morse in the early days,we ought to try and find out!
All the best,Brian.
At 11:46 on May 15, 2009, Andy Thompson said…
Brian

You are indeed right in saying I ain't not dunnit - alas You Tube will only allow 10 minute videos and if I typed and included all of your wonderful background then it would turn into a full length feature film with pop-corn!

The plan is to type it up and put that in the description of teh film. I would also like to link you up with the local railway history boys down here - I think they might like a word!

Still on for next month.I'm really not sure about the detail but feel its going to have to be during the day some how on the Tuesday. I'll get back to you. Like you say, busy! Poet, Railway Historian, 14 websites! Radio Ham, photographer father of 4 (inc twins) and IT teacher!!

WILL BE IN TOUCH!!!!!!

Andy
At 18:53 on May 14, 2009, Andy Thompson said…
Brian

Film is Dunn and at http://disusedtube.ning.com/video/the-sidmouth-branch
Go take a shufty!

By way of a PS. I have a poetry website (www.thepoetrywebsite.co.uk) and you said you knew someone (railway) who wrote railway poems. Any chance you could put the two together?

Andy
At 16:34 on May 8, 2009, brian dunn said…
Andy,
Have posted your stuff it should arrive by Monday if the Atlantic Coast Express is on time at Sidmouth Junction!
Brian.
At 13:17 on May 5, 2009, brian dunn said…
Andy,thanks,comes from having a kindly aunt ,the late Elsie Carlisle the singer,a relative on my late mothers side. Aunt Elsie can be found on you tube and we7,listen to her singing the clouds will soon roll by,a good version by Peter Skellern is on same you tube site....sit back and enjoy....Ispent many happy hours singing to myself in signal boxes ..well it beat listening to Buller Rawlings trying to sing sheddi deddi dorpence!!
Brian.
At 11:46 on May 5, 2009, Andy Thompson said…
Brian you are too kind!

Andy
At 11:02 on May 5, 2009, brian dunn said…
Andy, just to let you know that when I went to our local post office this morning the photocopier was out of order,Iam tied up until thursdayso will go to city library on friday and photocopy the sidmouth branch box diagrams and post stuff to you,hope this will not hold you up, cheers
Brian.
At 19:37 on May 3, 2009, Andy Thompson said…
Brian

Got your message - thanks! I can't wait to see your recollections - they'll really finish off my video well! I have kept 3 mins or so spare and of course will give you full credits!

I'll let you know when I've done and where to look to see my efforts! Fell free to email me direct on info@smjr.info or me@smj.me

June is still on, only I think I am only going to be around during the day, the talk is at 6pm or so! Will that be 'do-able'?

Andy
At 11:24 on May 3, 2009, brian dunn said…
Hi Andy. Thanks for your message/questions re Sidmouth Branch I have completed a lengthy submisssion for you a veritable book in fact!! which I hope you will find intreresting,no doubt you can pick out the bits you want. Iwill photocopy some Signalling Record Society signal box diagrams for you of all boxes/level crossings along the Branch and post it all out to you in the next couple of days ok.

The best preson to talk to about motive power is Mike Clement.Mike like myself was a junior porter at Compbyne,he then became a fireman on the Seaton Branch
he is the author of several books on the railways in East Devon and has a large collection of photos that he has taken.I tend to think that Mike may know locomen who worked on the Sidmouth Branch,I dont know him personally other than saying hello a couple of times at Seaton Junction, but if you can track him down he is your man for sure!!,Ihave an idea he may live around the Axminster area?

I look forward to meeting you in June!

Brian.
At 16:02 on May 2, 2009, Andy Thompson said…
How about we try this, an interview via this contact form! Isn';t technology a wonderful thing!!

Q: When did you work the Sidmouth branch?

Q:What sort of locos did you use?

Q:Was it an easy line to drive - does it have fond memories for you?

Q: Did it have some nasty parts up its sleeve for a driver?

Q: Was the climb out of Tipton a hard one?

Q: Did you get involved with the shunting at Tipton?

Q: Tell me about the characters who worked with you
At 13:33 on April 22, 2009, Andy Thompson said…
OK Brian

I think that will work. If I give you my address, can you write a few things down about the branch?

I'll come and see you in June and we can talk SMJ - I'll have my tape recorder with me.

I might take you up on the staying over offer.

Andy Thompson

47, The Signals
Feniton
EX14 3UP
Devon
At 13:00 on April 22, 2009, brian dunn said…
Hi Andy.
Thanks for your emails.Yes june 16 is fine better in the evening when I finish on the crossing so anytime aftter 16.30 no problem we can have a good natter and a few beers and you are welcome to stay overnight with us. Idont get much time during the day but evenings ok

The level crossing you mentioned is GOSFORD GATES.
Only too pleased to assist with info on the Sidmouth branch Ihave only been on a computer for less than a month and can only type slowly using one finger so it would take me forever to send you stories by email.Ican write it out and post to youor tell you over the phone or on june whichever you prefer,just let me know.
Cheers for now and look forward to hearing from you.
BRIAN.
At 9:55 on April 22, 2009, Andy Thompson said…
PS Brian What is the name of the first crossing cottage on the Sidmouth branch after the A30 bridge? The crossing before Cadhay.

Andy
At 9:54 on April 22, 2009, Andy Thompson said…
Brian

I have masde a start on my Sidmouth junction film. Its only going to be a short (10 mins) film and will be shown on one of my sister websites www.disusedtu.be I was wondering if you might email me with some background stories which I can use as short clips in the film?

Re the SMJ: I will be in Henley in Arden in June to give a shortened version of my SMJ talk and was wondering if I might come round to interview you! Are you up for that? It would be Tuesday 16th of June. Are you going to be around?

Andy
At 15:54 on April 16, 2009, Andy Thompson said…
Brian. What I'd like to do is get some interviews with you and your mates so as i can add them to the site. Quite how I will do that I don't know yet unless you happen to have a recording studio at your house. One option is I could pop by! I have a talk booked at Henley on Arden in June so could pop by and we could have a chat.
Is that a goer do you think? Mean-while if youwant to have an SMJ chat with your SMJ mates, may-be into a tape recorder that would be great!

Andy

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