‘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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Funny Story about Kineton Military Railway 1 Reply

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 Dave Hayward yesterday.

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 Blisworth appeared at the same time. In that this was so…Continue

Started by Richard Maund 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, Improvements and additional signalling: £800”. In…Continue

Started by Richard Maund Apr 20.

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.

SMJ photos

Any ideas?

I've recently been given an old ledger that belonged to my grandfather who in 1885 was working for the family building business. In it I discovered entries showing that he had on several occasions that year supplied the East & West Junction Railway with lime, usually a bushell at a time and also with the occasional bucket of whitewash. I imagine that the white wash was used for painting the station ceilings at Blakesley but whatever would the lime be for? I know that it was sometimes used as a primitive kind of wall paint and that it could be used in mortar or plaster making but there was no record of any sand or other materials being supplied if the latter was the case. Any suggestions?

Incidentally when the family business went bust my grandfather took a job as a brickie on the railway working for the SMJ, later the LMS. His main work was repairing bridges and culverts.

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Permalink Reply by Barry Taylor on January 23, 2014 at 17:56

Hi Dick

Interesting to see that you that you have SMJ family roots!

I think that the lime might have been used for cleansing cattle wagons - I've a feeling that they were washed out after use with this. You can sometimes see old pics of cattle wagons with lots of white stuff over the lower side planks.

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Permalink Reply by Dick Bodily on January 23, 2014 at 21:25

Barry

That rings a bell now you've mentioned it, I reckon you are right.

Cheers

Dick

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Permalink Reply by NIGEL on January 24, 2014 at 18:18

Hello Dick, I think Barry is right, the lime would be added to water to make slaked lime. This limewash was used up to ~1924 to disinfect cattle wagons, until Phenol disinfectants came into use in 1927.