‘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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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
Dave Hayward's Comments
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Dave
First an apology for so long in replying.
You asked if any wartime mention in those albums which are now with Towcester Museum, the answer is no, but hope the following of interest.
In 1962/63 I was signal box lad at Blisworth reporting trains and one of Signalmen Bill Skeene had been a Signalman atTowcester during WW2. His stories included fuel/ammunition trains at night coming across from Ravenstone Wood Jnc and became divided due to up/down gradients. They would whistle sounding loud in the night time air to alert the Signalman in Towcester Box. The front part of train would go as signalled towards Byfield then points changed for Banbury line in case rear part of train with guard still on move. Then after a safe time the engine released and would go in search of rear portion. But one night the rear portion was still on move passing through Towcester towards Banbury. Then front portion came back into Towcester, the rear portion retrieved from Banbury line and train put back together. He told me this I had to believe.
Robin Patrick, York.
No they are just picture albums, not of own taking but photographs given.
Robin
We hope you find your way around alright and we look forward to seeing some of your own work soon
Andy (The Fat Controller ‘TFC’) & Pete (‘Shedmaster’ & ‘Editor’ of ‘On-Shed’)