‘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
Footage of the SMJR
Hello, I found your forum searching for the SMJR. I've just uploaded a digitised version of old cine film footage of the line to my Youtube channel. I will be selling the original Hillside cine film soon along with a few others I've collected…Continue
Started by G Essex Random Railways on Monday.
Binton station plans 2 Replies
Hi!I recently discovered this article on Binton station building in the now long defunct magazine ‘Model Railways’ from 1976. It includes a full plan which might encourage someone to model this simple station.Does anyone have access to, or know of a…Continue
Started by Martin Bromage. Last reply by Martin Bromage May 8.
Black & White photos of the SMJ 1 Reply
HelloMy name is Mick Baker and i have recently joined your society.A friend of mine Nigel Hadlow, has taken several thousand black & white photosof railways around the country.With a little help from me with my limited computer skills, i have…Continue
Started by Mick Baker. Last reply by Peter S Lewis Mar 29.
Station Masters
Stationmasters_Revised_January_2022.xlsxChris Hillyard on the Facebook Group "Railways Of Northamptonshire and…Continue
Started by Graham Ward Feb 7.
SMJ photos
An SMJ Get-Together
So gentleman, when are we going to have our first SMJ get-together then? I know it will take some arranging and we'll only need a phone box to hold it in but who fancy's the idea?
A slow-burner that one - no rush!
Andy
A slow-burner that one - no rush!
Andy
Views: 241
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Peter S Lewis on
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Andy,
An excellent idea.....location...? I think a telephone kisok would be too small.........!!
Peter
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Permalink Reply by Si Donal on
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This is a good idea. I suppose we'd be better meeting at a point we can all travel too, but wouldn't it be nice to meet at a point pertinent to the line? Perhaps Stratford or Towcester. Either is accessible from the M40 but Stratford does still have a station.
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Permalink Reply by David Blagrove on
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Andy (and others), just a brief thought.
I am Chairman of the Friends of the Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum and we run a Gala weekend every year in June, during which we make a special feature of historic boats and local history generally. This year we are holding it over the weekend 11th-13th June and one of the themes will be the celebration of the centenary of the birth of L.T.C. (Tom) Rolt. So far as the waterways are concerned, Rolt is a central figure since his book "Narrow Boat" of 1944 began the revival of interest in the waterways of this country and led to the establishment of the Inland Waterways Association. similarly his enthusiasm for narrow gauge railways began the railway preservation movement as we know it today with the re-opening of the Tal-y-Llyn by volunteers in 1951. Tom's widow, Sonia, is one of our members and, hopefully, will be present at this year's Gala.
I am certain that we could find a room or a tent for some sort of meeting, or maybe even a display of photos or relics (or possibly models?). After all we very nearly had a branch of the E.N.M & T.R & O. J.R to the Museum itself (although in 1878, when it was proposed the building was a corn mill). Wolud any members be interested? Stoke Bruerne is a very pleasant place in summer and fairly easy to reach by road, being between the A5 and M1. Public transport is not so good though. There is a regular bus route from Milton Keynes to Peterborough along the A508 stopping a mile away at Roade and a local bus from Northampton, which does not run in the evenings and not at all on Sundays.
Just a thought.
David
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Permalink Reply by Andy Thompson on
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David I think that sounds a great idea. What does everyone else think! May we have some more info David so as people can make plans?
Andy
David Blagrove said:Andy (and others), just a brief thought.
I am Chairman of the Friends of the Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum and we run a Gala weekend every year in June, during which we make a special feature of historic boats and local history generally. This year we are holding it over the weekend 11th-13th June and one of the themes will be the celebration of the centenary of the birth of L.T.C. (Tom) Rolt. So far as the waterways are concerned, Rolt is a central figure since his book "Narrow Boat" of 1944 began the revival of interest in the waterways of this country and led to the establishment of the Inland Waterways Association. similarly his enthusiasm for narrow gauge railways began the railway preservation movement as we know it today with the re-opening of the Tal-y-Llyn by volunteers in 1951. Tom's widow, Sonia, is one of our members and, hopefully, will be present at this year's Gala.
I am certain that we could find a room or a tent for some sort of meeting, or maybe even a display of photos or relics (or possibly models?). After all we very nearly had a branch of the E.N.M & T.R & O. J.R to the Museum itself (although in 1878, when it was proposed the building was a corn mill). Wolud any members be interested? Stoke Bruerne is a very pleasant place in summer and fairly easy to reach by road, being between the A5 and M1. Public transport is not so good though. There is a regular bus route from Milton Keynes to Peterborough along the A508 stopping a mile away at Roade and a local bus from Northampton, which does not run in the evenings and not at all on Sundays.
Just a thought.
David
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Permalink Reply by Gary on
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Great minds - I have been thinking of suggesting this sort of thing just this week - although a group of men in a phone box does sound a little dodgy....
SB sounds good - if we do go for it I will try to ensure I am off.
Whatever we plump for I'm up for it.
ATVB gents
G
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Stoke Bruerne is good for me too. Not sure about the date but I'lllook into it with work. I can however offer a large velcro self supporting display board for pictures and if it's not being used a waterproof marquee too. It'll have Royal Army Dental Corps on it but I am sure I can paint up a replacement sign. I'll see if it will be free. There's enough time so I might be able to model something Stoke Bruern & SMJ related too. I'll let you all know of the availablility in the next week or so.
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Permalink Reply by Barry Dunwoody on
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Andy,
Sounds a great idea - wish I could come, Australia is a long way away although if you go with the June dates, I will be a bit nearer. I will be on the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Banff! I'll take lots of photos to post.
Barry
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Permalink Reply by David Chambers on
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Stoke is fine for me and can also bring display boards/memorabillia etc
Good pub very handy also, I wonder if they have a spare function room?
Chab
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A good idea.I think you would be surprised at the response in the Northampton Area.
Ray. Wake
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Ray. This is a great idea, can you advise on local papers to mention the event in.
Andy
ray wake said:A good idea.I think you would be surprised at the response in the Northampton Area.
Ray. Wake
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NIce one Dave that would really set it off! Andy
David Chambers said:Stoke is fine for me and can also bring display boards/memorabillia etc
Good pub very handy also, I wonder if they have a spare function room?
Chab
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David
Looks like you have a deal! What do we do now, we need to get the ball rolling and get a date set.
Andy
Andy Thompson said:David I think that sounds a great idea. What does everyone else think! May we have some more info David so as people can make plans?
Andy
David Blagrove said:Andy (and others), just a brief thought.
I am Chairman of the Friends of the Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum and we run a Gala weekend every year in June, during which we make a special feature of historic boats and local history generally. This year we are holding it over the weekend 11th-13th June and one of the themes will be the celebration of the centenary of the birth of L.T.C. (Tom) Rolt. So far as the waterways are concerned, Rolt is a central figure since his book "Narrow Boat" of 1944 began the revival of interest in the waterways of this country and led to the establishment of the Inland Waterways Association. similarly his enthusiasm for narrow gauge railways began the railway preservation movement as we know it today with the re-opening of the Tal-y-Llyn by volunteers in 1951. Tom's widow, Sonia, is one of our members and, hopefully, will be present at this year's Gala.
I am certain that we could find a room or a tent for some sort of meeting, or maybe even a display of photos or relics (or possibly models?). After all we very nearly had a branch of the E.N.M & T.R & O. J.R to the Museum itself (although in 1878, when it was proposed the building was a corn mill). Wolud any members be interested? Stoke Bruerne is a very pleasant place in summer and fairly easy to reach by road, being between the A5 and M1. Public transport is not so good though. There is a regular bus route from Milton Keynes to Peterborough along the A508 stopping a mile away at Roade and a local bus from Northampton, which does not run in the evenings and not at all on Sundays.
Just a thought.
David
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