‘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 seats at York Museum ?

I took my grandson to the National Railway Museum on Dec. 30th and noticed two bench seats, of the type found on station platforms until traditional stations were replaced with bus-shelters. Both bear the title " STRATFORD " - I'll try and upload…Continue

Started by Paul Atherton Jan 5.

More building at Towcester 2 Replies

I hear there has been more building at the station site in Towcester.Anyone know what they've dug up?…Continue

Tags: Towcester

Started by Andy Thompson. Last reply by Nigel Nov 7, 2024.

Broom History Group Event 9th November 2024

Broom History Group will be holding an event at Broom Village Hall 2-4pm on 9th November 2024 including a film on the railway and Broom Junction.…Continue

Started by Simon Stevens Oct 25, 2024.

Misunderstanding Easton Neston 2 Replies

Hello, I'm a new member and I've searched through the articles and can't find anything specific to my answer/ question. Can anyone help?…Continue

Started by Matt Davis. Last reply by Matt Davis Oct 16, 2024.

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.