‘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"
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
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.
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. Last reply by Dave Hayward Jun 8.
I have purchased the attached photograph today, which is completely new to me. It is taken at what appears to be Blisworth SMJ Station at the head of a 7 coach train. The locomotive has a "3" shedplate which is Saltley - so the engine could well be out-stationed at S-on-A from there; but this also means that the photograph dates to 1935 or before as Saltley became 21A in that year.
Any further thoughts would oblige - there is no caption or detail written on the back of this print.
Barry Taylor has pointed out to me that in The Transport Treasury list there is a photograph by Dr Ian Allen of "3615 at Blisworth on 28.3.1932" and the view is the left side of the loco from the front - which matches this picture. After consulting the 1932 calendar I find that 28th March was Easter Monday - so if this is indeed the Dr Allen photograph - the train has been strengthened to cope with the crowds flocking to Towcester Races. Several other Dr Allen photographs taken on an Easter Monday appear in the Oxford Publishing Co book "LMS Branch Lines", including a shot of "3F" 3768 approaching Towcester on the Ravenstone Wood line.
Further comments would oblige.
Robin