‘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'

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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.

PPhoto Albums 1 Reply

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.

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.

SMJ photos

2F WDs working to Bristol

In the 1950s/60s we had a regular working of a 2F Woodford Halse WD to Bristol. I was always intrigued by how they got there. Does anybody know if that was via the SMJR please?

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Permalink Reply by CLIVE BOARDMAN on November 30, 2021 at 18:39

Yes, the working travelled via the SMJ; I was a fireman at Woodford from 1956 to 1958 and worked over the SMJ (the 'Nibble') many times. There were several evening workings over the line from Woodford, mainly to South Wales, all WD 2-8-0 hauled and the Bristol train was the first one out at 7.20 pm (book on 6.00pm, prepare own engine, off shed at 7.00pm, depart Woodford Old Up yard at 7.20pm. Changeover with the return working was at either Evesham or Ashchurch, after which the train presumably travelled via Cheltenham and the ex. Midland main line via Charfield to Bristol.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Bishop on December 1, 2021 at 8:55

Thank you Clive so much for this. I have pondered this question for 60 years! Do you know what was the destination yard for these trains? I suspect that in the case of the South Wales trains in might have been Severn Tunnel Jct.

You mention being relieved at Evesham or Ashchurch. I had not realised that there was a south facing junction at Broom. I recall the new junction being installed at Stratford, but that was, I guess, after your time.

Best Wishes,

Bob Bishop

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Permalink Reply by Bob Bishop on December 1, 2021 at 9:20

I now know about the 1942 south curve at Broom Jct

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Permalink Reply by CLIVE BOARDMAN on December 3, 2021 at 19:37

Bob Bishop said:

Thank you Clive so much for this. I have pondered this question for 60 years! Do you know what was the destination yard for these trains? I suspect that in the case of the South Wales trains in might have been Severn Tunnel Jct.

You mention being relieved at Evesham or Ashchurch. I had not realised that there was a south facing junction at Broom. I recall the new junction being installed at Stratford, but that was, I guess, after your time.

Best Wishes,

Bob Bishop

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Permalink Reply by CLIVE BOARDMAN on December 3, 2021 at 19:48

Hello Bob, no, sorry, I don't know the destination yards of the trains; I seem to remember that one of the later departures was to Cardiff, beyond that I don't know. Yes, the connection at Stratford for the Honeybourne line was after my time but drivers were learning the new road when I left Woodford in December, 1958. which is strange because I believe the new connection didn't come into use until 1960. Oddly enough I now volunteer on the GWSR at Toddington, usually in the cafe at Winchcombe, and I assume that these trains passed through there after the Honeybourne connection opened.