‘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
magnet fishing
Hi everyone, yesterday I did some magnet fishing with the grandchildren from the SMJ bridge over the river Tove in Towester, to great excitement of the children (and myself) we pulled out three chair screws and a rivet which looked similar in style…Continue
Started by Steve Camm Sep 1.
One of the best preserved SMJ bridges? 1 Reply
I was at Ettington the other day and apart from the good shed, which has had a lot of money spent on it including full glazing, the station building is still there. But my attention went to the station bridge (No. 73?) which is in very good…Continue
Started by John Evans. Last reply by Andy Thompson Aug 30.
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.
SMJ photos
Most SMJ rolling stock had vacuum and Westinghouse brake systems or at least through pipes.<br /> photos of SMJ locos show no Westingh..pump.
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Comment by Barry Taylor on March 28, 2025 at 14:22
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To add a confirmation to Simon's info - I have an original copy of a SMJ Working Timetable Appendix booklet for 1916 which has annotations and amendments as the instructions etc were updated over the years after issue. On page 35 there is a list of the 'break' systems used on various railways, with the SMJ shown as both 'automatic vacuum' and 'Westinghouse' - the latter has then been struck through with the amendment dated as 31/1/19.
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Thanks Simon
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Comment by Simon Dunkley on March 17, 2025 at 18:34
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Engines 4, 5 and 6 were fitted with the Westinghouse air brake, on the LH side (looking forward) and 10-13 were dual fitted, but the air pumps maybe have been removed by late pre-grouping days: 10-12 had the pump on the LH side (most photos are of the other side!), and 13 on the RH side originally. 7 was vacuum braked on purchase and number 8 appears to have been fitted similarly circa 1903/4, based on photographic evidence. 14-18 were only ever fitted with the vacuum brake.
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