‘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'

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Loco N° 5. 2-4-0T

Hi everybodyI’m building a OO gauge model of Fenny Compton and Clifford Sidings over here in Belgium.Quite a strange idea but so be it…In view of this I plan to transform a RTR Beatie Well Tank into SMJR N° 5 the 2-4-0T and use some etchings for the…Continue

Started by Jack Freuville Aug 29.

Olney BRM Sept 2023

Layouts based on actual SMJR locations are few and far between. Due to being given notice on clubroom, Olney as featured in BRM Sept 2023 is for sale!This is a rare opportunity to acquire a beautiful, 15 years in the making, ready to run model…Continue

Started by Nicholas Young Jul 26.

Smj exploring and making new youtube videos 1 Reply

Hi all members.I was wondering if you could help by subscribing to my YouTube channel ‘NWP EXPLORING’ Mainly railway history and some exploring the SMJ .im planning to explore and video more of the SMJ , and if you have a desired area you would…Continue

Started by Neil. Last reply by Henry Jul 10.

Funny Story about Kineton Military Railway 2 Replies

An improbable, funny, but absolutely true story relating to the Kineton military railway.Long after my Army days I still retained an affection and passing interest in Kineton ammunition depot where I served during the 1960s. Coupled to a 'love' of…Continue

Started by Dave Hayward. Last reply by Henry Jul 10.

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Richard Maund's Discussions

Blisworth - Towcester ETS working

Electric train staff equipment had been brought into use between Blisworth and Towcester by 9 August 1910 (date of SMJR minute 451 (TNA file RAIL 674/3)) and presumably the new signal box at…Continue

Started Apr 20

Blisworth 1920

SMJ board minute 1474 of 13 April 1921 (TNA file RAIL 674/4) approved that “the following expenditure be charged to Capital” for year 1920: “Blisworth: Signalling and alterations to Permanent Way,…Continue

Started Apr 20

Bidford-on-Avon
5 Replies

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

E&WJR working timetables
1 Reply

Started this discussion. Last reply by Barry Taylor Jan 25.

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Richard Maund's Page

Latest Activity

Richard Maund posted discussions

Apr 20

Richard Maund replied to Richard Maund's discussion 'Evesham Redditch & Stratford-upon-Avon Junction Railway'

"Bradshaw's Shareholders' Manual for 1891 makes no mention of the STMJR being in the receiver's hands at that date - so it looks as though the date of 27 May 1898 was correct, after all."

Feb 11

Richard Maund replied to Richard Maund's discussion 'Bidford-on-Avon'

"The brickworks owner has wrongly been identified (Taylor vol. 2, p.10) as Lill - according to 1901 Census details he was Edward J Sill (with an 'S') - and the SMJ minute book confirms that spelling."

Feb 10

Richard Maund replied to Richard Maund's discussion 'Bidford-on-Avon'

"Having done their initial deal with Lill in 1909 for use of the brickworks site for public traffic (the alterations for which apparently were reported to the BoT), why would the SMJ subsequently bother to go to the expense of a new siding and ground…"

Feb 7

A discussion started by Richard Maund was featured

Bidford-on-Avon

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 brick works and its autumn 1879 siding I suspect they simply put the 'Bidford Siding' name in the nearest available space that didn't conflict with any other lines on the plan. However, the 25 inch version is more illuminating as it does more clearly…See More

Feb 6

5 Comments

Barry Taylor replied to Richard Maund's discussion 'Bidford-on-Avon'

"I think that we can now agree that there was definitely a siding behind Bidford station platform? The problem is dating the photograph. I have two prints in front of me as I write, both with info on the reverse. One has, in two different hands, the…"

Jan 28

Richard Maund replied to Richard Maund's discussion 'Bidford-on-Avon'

"Re-reading that Herald piece in issue of 25 March 1881: "17th ult" means 'last Thursday' not 17th of last month - so Bidford passenger opening date was Thursday 17 March 1881. That ties in with the railway's…"

Jan 28

Richard Maund replied to Richard Maund's discussion 'Bidford-on-Avon'

"A specific date is now available for the passenger opening: Thursday 17 February 1881. See Stratford upon Avon Herald 25 March 1881, page 8."

Jan 27

Richard Maund replied to Barry Taylor's discussion 'North End and Warwick Road stations?'

"I've responded to this under a new heading : Bidford-on-Avon."

Jan 27

Richard Maund replied to Richard Maund's discussion 'Evesham Redditch & Stratford-upon-Avon Junction Railway'

"Bradshaw's Shareholders' Manual for 1899 certainly shows it in the receiver's hands - have you consulted earlier relevant issues thereof? That would be the first course of action before trying to find something amongst all the…"

Jan 27

Richard Maund posted a discussion

Bidford-on-Avon

Jan 27

5 Comments

Barry Taylor replied to Richard Maund's discussion 'Evesham Redditch & Stratford-upon-Avon Junction Railway'

"Yes - I had noticed this anomaly.. I haven't yet found my original source for the 27/5/1898 date but think that the1890 date is very unlikely - that period seems quite well documented and there seems to have been no mention. I suspect that my…"

Jan 25

Barry Taylor replied to Richard Maund's discussion '1873 timetable'

"Ah good - thought it must be there somewhere. I have recorded both RAIL 968 and 969 but somehow not 970 - although I did lose some Kew records on a corrupt CD years ago. Thought that I had recovered them on a later visit but this may be one…"

Jan 25

Barry Taylor replied to Richard Maund's discussion 'E&WJR working timetables'

"The 1890 WTT is safely in private hands.. I do have copies of the Kew WTTs, but thus far I have not located any other similar examples. That said there were a couple (I think) of EWJR WTTs for sale in one of Robert Humm's catalogues a year or…"

Jan 25

Richard Maund posted a discussion

E&WJR working timetables

Barry Taylor's first volume contains - at page 126 - reproduction of an1890 E&WJR working timetable. Is the original document in private hands or publicly accessible? E&WJR and SMJR WTTs are at National Archives, Kew under reference RAIL 982, stating with the 12 months from Nov 1900 to Nov 1901 at RAIL 982/1, then a smattering to 1920., After 1923 the line was in the LMS Midland Division wtts, of which a good run is available.Are there any other examples out there?See More

Jan 20

1 Comment

Richard Maund replied to Richard Maund's discussion '1873 timetable'

"Found it at Kew at RAIL 981/70. There is also another handbill for August 1873, promoting the London Euston connection - it's at RAIL 981/68."

Jan 19