‘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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magnet fishing

Hi everyone, yesterday I did some magnet fishing with the grandchildren from the SMJ bridge over the river Tove in Towester, to great excitement of the children (and myself) we pulled out three chair screws and a rivet which looked similar in style…Continue

Started by Steve Camm Sep 1.

One of the best preserved SMJ bridges? 1 Reply

I was at Ettington the other day and apart from the good shed, which has had a lot of money spent on it including full glazing, the station building is still there. But my attention went to the station bridge (No. 73?) which is in very good…Continue

Started by John Evans. Last reply by Andy Thompson Aug 30.

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.

SMJ photos

Barry's SMJ book

I see an advert for Volume 1 of Barry Taylor's SMJ history in RM. Apparently it will cover the E&WJR and N&BJR period pre SMJ and is being published by Black Dwarf mid-August, cost &25 plus p.p.

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Permalink Reply by Barry Taylor on July 31, 2017 at 13:40

Hi Dick

Thanks for the mention - I know that there are one or two adverts out there already, and the book is currently being printed in Poland, with a target date of mid August into stock.

I will put up a note and a few details on this website when it's available, and with a pic of the revised cover. The title and cover will be slightly different to that shown in the adverts - a late change to avoid any possible confusion with the earlier "History of the SMJ" by Riley & Simpson.

Been a long time coming! It should be on display at the O Gauge Society show at Telford on 2nd/3rd September where BDL will have their stand as usual.

Watch this space!

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Permalink Reply by Dick Bodily on August 3, 2017 at 19:54

How many volumes are planned, Barry? And will it cover LMS and BR days eventually?

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Permalink Reply by Barry Taylor on August 4, 2017 at 12:15

There will be two volumes -

Vol 1 covers the early days - NBJR EWJR ST&MJR and ER&SJR histories and the locos and rolling stock of those companies

The second takes things on from 1909 when the SMJ came into being - then through LMS and BR days to closure and afterwards. Locos etc for all of those periods. Also in Vol 2 will be a detailed description of the line and its features and the line after closure, through to the present day. Should also be something on signalling and tickets as separate appendices hopefully.

No date for Vol 2 yet - it's written but I still have to sort out illustrations etc - but hopefully 2018

I'll post a copy of the cover of Vol 1 and full details next week - should be in the warehouse around 14th August apparently