‘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 10 hours ago.
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 14 hours ago.
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
Walking the SMJ
Careful scrutiny of the 1:25000 maps on Streetmap suggests that very little of the SMJ trackbed is a public right-of-way. There are short sections near Roade and Kineton and one or two places where there is an adjacent footpath. Can anyone advise of any other sections where it is acceptable to walk without risk of being confronted by an angry farmer?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike Burrows on
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There is about a mile of the track bed that is a community park North of Tiffield. Going North from Tiffield there is a left turn over the railway bridge. Just over the bridge is a staircase leading down to the track way.
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Hello Michael,
Our 1/2 mile stretch of the SMJ trackbed is now a nature reserve, supported by the Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire volunteers. They, and my husband`s hard toil has transformed it from a dark tunnel of mainly Hawthorn on the embankments with nothing growing under them to a wonderful wildlife haven.
Even Grass Snakes on the embankments now spotted for 1st time in our 52 years here.
Should anyone want to walk it, yes it is private for now with a public footpath over, but just give us a ring
on 01789 773653 We would be delighted to see you. Jean.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Roake on
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Hi Jean, many thanks for the info and invitation - the photos look great - will definitely visit when we have an opportunity, Regards Mike
Jean Cholerton said:Hello Michael,
Our 1/2 mile stretch of the SMJ trackbed is now a nature reserve, supported by the Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire volunteers. They, and my husband`s hard toil has transformed it from a dark tunnel of mainly Hawthorn on the embankments with nothing growing under them to a wonderful wildlife haven.
Even Grass Snakes on the embankments now spotted for 1st time in our 52 years here.
Should anyone want to walk it, yes it is private for now with a public footpath over, but just give us a ring
on 01789 773653 We would be delighted to see you. Jean.
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Good question!
Broom Junction station site is easily accessible for the moment; from there you can walk north to Alcester or south to Salford Priors along the remains of the Gloucester Loop Line. The southern curve of the Broom junction triangle is not a right-of-way but can be walked.
The line from the Arrow river bridge at Broom up to Bidford Road bridge is a nature reserve with a path.
In Stratford, you can walk the old line from near the racecourse entrance to the Greenway roundabout and Seven Meadows Road is built on the trackbed.
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