‘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
PPhoto Albums
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 May 17.
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.
National Archives, Donation and Kineton Photograph
Not sure if others are aware of the significant amount of documents held by the National Archives on the SMJ. The collection consists mainly of Directors Minutes etc. There is also a collection of early 20th C timetables, handbills etc. which I have…Continue
Started by Dave Hayward Apr 26.
Model Railways
HiI'm selling my collection of SMJR related 00 gauge modelsIf of interest for any of you please contact me by mail atjfreuville@gmail.comand I will send you the list and photosKind regardsJackContinue
Started by Jack Freuville Feb 23.
SMJ photos
MOD Trains from Long Marston to Kineton
Further to my question yesterday about the last trains through Stratford SMJ Station, l informed my acquaintance about Richard's answer and got this in return.....
I have spoken to a very elderly neighbour who worked at MOD Long Marston in the 60's and 70's. He tells me that the line was used by the MOD at that time to transport armaments to Kineton depot. He said steam was used up until 1971. So he confirms that that is what I heard at night as a child.
Is this some secret that no one knows about or is the elderly gentleman wrong with his dates.
Did the MOD have their own steam locos that would have trundled between Long Marston and Kineton until 1971 even though the track had been taken up!!
Looking forward to any answers
Rob Davidson
Views: 723
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Geoff Howard on
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Hi Rob - I worked at Bird Group from about 1972 which is adjacent to the MOD yard at Long Marston. We used to use the sidings there and one of my jobs was checking the trucks we were using with the station master at Long Marston, so I was there fairly regularly. If I recall correctly there were a couple of steam shunters in the Army camp there, but as far as I know they weren't being used.
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Permalink Reply by alwyn sparrow on
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This may help
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Permalink Reply by Rob Davidson on
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Thank you Alwyn
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Permalink Reply by Richard Maund on
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After 1965 Kineton was only accessible via Fenny Compton, so any movements from Long Marston to there by rail would have been circuitous - and certainly not worked by WD/MoD steam locos! The Stratford - Long Marston section also closed, in 1980.
What, please, was the date of the two documents you posted, Alwyn?
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I'm sorry Richard but the documents ( 2 of 6 ) are undated but i would guess early 1970's.
In conjunction with rail tour I believe.
Alwyn.
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Thank you again Richard
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