‘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

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.

Bidford-on-Avon 5 Replies

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…Continue

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

North End and Warwick Road stations? 57 Replies

Some time ago we ahd an interesting and lively discussion on the mystery station at Tiffield, which added quite a lot to our collective knowledge.I've recently been looking closely at two of the other mystery stations- at North End (sometimes…Continue

Started by Barry Taylor. Last reply by Richard Maund Jan 27.

1873 timetable 4 Replies

Page 12 of Arthur Jordan's book features a full page reproduction of the E&WJ public timetable handbill for August 1873. Does anyone know where the original of that handbill is preserved?Incidentally, the timetable itself formed the basis of…Continue

Started by Richard Maund. Last reply by Barry Taylor Jan 25.

SMJ photos

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I apologise for being slightly 'off-piste' with this enquiry. I am referring to the SLS 'Farewell to GCR' DMU railtour of 27/8/1966 from Birmingham New Street. Does anyone hold or know of operating details or images of this tour?

As part of the itinerary the tour made a single journey from Banbury to Woodford Halse. With only a week to go to the last day of 3rd September on the GCR, would there have been any subsequent trains between Banbury and Woodford Halse following the SLS tour?

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The York - Bournemouth Cross Country trains ran that route right up to the final day ( 3/9/66) The last working being by a Brush Type 4 north of Banbury. Freight finished on this route the previous June.

If you can find a copy of Robert Robotham's book "The Last Years of the Great Central Main Line" you will find a chapter devoted to the Last Day (3.9.1966). This is an accurate account of the last workings, and as has been stated the trains between Bournemouth and York used the Culworth Jcn - Banbury link on a daily basis. During the last days a "B1" (61306) worked up to Marylebone where it subsequently failed - it and a "Black 5" that had also failed were dragged back to Banbury by a 9F during the last week - using the Culworth Jcn - Banbury link as well. On the last day 61306 was "dead" on Banbury shed.

I spent the day watching the last knockings - and very sad it was.

The climax - if you can call it that - was to watch the last day special hauled by "Merchant Navy" 35030 come through Woodford Halse at some speed in the gathering dusk. This was the way for a Main Line to go out - with an express roaring away into the night.

Robin Cullup 

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