‘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

Blakesley Hall Miniature Railway

I'm gradually putting together a webpage about this line, with updated maps. If anyone has any info other than what's appeared in various publications such as those of Phil kingston, Bob Tebb and Doug Blake  please let me know.Continue

Started by Dick Bodily 18 hours ago.

Stratford meeting

I do apologise for not making the meeting due to family illness I have to stay home .I look forward to reading of the outcomeRegardsPaul JeffrriesContinue

Started by Paul Jeffries May 11.

Get together - apologies 1 Reply

AndyPlease accept my apologies for not being to get to Stratford tomorrow but we are currently over in Norfolk. Hope all goes well.Do we have any Branch Line Society members amongst us?RegardsDave HaywardContinue

Started by Dave Hayward. Last reply by Andy Thompson May 10.

Final notice for our 2013 get together in Stratford Upon Avon.

Dear SMJ Society memberFinal notice for our 2013 get together in Stratford Upon AvonThis Saturday!!! Locationhttp://thenewbullshead.co.uk/contact-us.html "The West End Public House" 9, Bull…Continue

Tags: in, Stratford, Upon, Avon., together

Started by Andy Thompson May 9.

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The 100 Club Certificate

Started Feb 15

2013 Get Together - up date, up date!
2 Replies

Started this discussion. Last reply by Si Donal Feb 20.

 

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Richard Woods commented on Andy Thompson's photo
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Easton Neston 1899 map showing the Olney Branch crossing the A43

"I see the line linking the Lloyds sidings with Easton Neston did cross the A43 via a bridge, instead of a level. Has anybody ever managed to obtain a number for this bridge?"
yesterday
ray hughes left a comment for Andy Thompson
"Hello Andy thank you for welcoming me to smjr railway society I look forward to enjoying beeing a  member                Best wishes Ray"
Monday
Andy Thompson posted a status
"Thanks to all who came to the get together Thanks to Roger our host, great venue, great food! Andy"
May 11
Andy Thompson posted a status
"Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow! Andy"
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May 9
Andy Thompson posted a discussion

Final notice for our 2013 get together in Stratford Upon Avon.

Dear SMJ Society memberFinal notice for our 2013 get together in Stratford Upon AvonThis Saturday!!! Locationhttp://thenewbullshead.co.uk/contact-us.html "The West End Public House" 9, Bull Street, Stratford Upon Avon, Warks CV37 6DT PLEASE NOTE. THE PUB HAS HAD A REFERB AND REBRAND SINCE WE SET THE EVENT UP. THE ADDRESS (9, Bull Street,) IS STILL CORRECT This Saturday, 11th of May from 10:30/11:00 Alwyn found Rodger Hatch (landlord)…See More
May 9
Andy Thompson posted a status
"SMJ Members - Please check your inboxes for Get Together 2013 Info - Andy"
May 9
Andy Thompson posted a status
"All I am just about to resend you all the details for Saturday. Hope to see you all. Andy"
May 9
Ian Scott replied to Andy Thompson's discussion 'I shall be there on May 11th'
"Andy, I too will be there on May 11th, due to computor repairs, can you re-send to me the itinary for the day. Best wishes, Ian Scott."
May 7
Si Donal replied to Andy Thompson's discussion 'SMJ get-together 2013.'
"I'll be there.  I shall bring the Blakesley Model Layout which will be complete on the scenic side but perhaps a little rough in terms of presentation.  Look forward to meeting you all."
Apr 25
Tony Newman commented on Andy Thompson's photo
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Fred Chivers Builders invoice

"That document is an interesting survival. Also interesting, your Ontario Barn Builder ad - we sometimes drive over to nearby Cookstown to a place that serves excellent breakfasts. O fnecessity we order a 'child's portion' because full…"
Apr 23
Andy Thompson posted a photo

Fred Chivers Builders invoice

Amendment of etimate for SMJ buildings at Blisworth 1914
Apr 23
Hugh Jones replied to Andy Thompson's discussion 'SMJ get-together 2013.'
"If you are going back along the A46 you will pass the Broom Junction signal box which appears to fairly intact. Also there is token piece of track alongside Severn Meadows Road and there is a plan of station and junction  on the…"
Apr 20
Si Donal commented on Andy Thompson's photo
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Form of tender

"I hoped that someone within the SMJ Community had won this...."
Apr 9
NIGEL ALAN FURNISS commented on Andy Thompson's photo
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Form of tender

"Can we estimate when these dwellings were completed ? When I photographed them earlier this year, I realized that they would be coming up for 100 years old, a good advert for us "the S.M.J. Society" and the museum ? Would the outbreak of…"
Apr 9

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Thank you for popping by!

My love for the SMJ started with a pint of milk! As we walked into the door of Towcester's Tesco's, my brother said "of course you know this is where the station was!" That was it! I was bitten! 5 years on I have written articles on the SMJ, I give talks and the website has taken on yet another new look - I hope you enjoy it! Andy - Email me

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Comment Wall (55 comments)

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At 16:55 on May 20, 2013, ray hughes said…

Hello Andy thank you for welcoming me to smjr railway society I look forward to enjoying beeing a  member 

              Best wishes Ray

At 14:17 on December 14, 2012, daniel pettman said…

many thanks,  i have spent ages looking at the images.

unfortunately i was born to late to see anything other than the carnage left after beeching. 

i am at a loss to try and find images or track layout for chacombe / chalcombe halt.  there are one or two images of the station in the george & dragon - but no real links have been found on the web...  i wonder if any members have any clues....

kind regards  daniel 

At 19:01 on December 9, 2012, NIGEL ALAN FURNISS said…

Different view of photo you posted a few days ago, have you seen this?

At 13:55 on November 18, 2012, Dr Francis Dalrymple-Hamilton said…

thanks for this Andy.  has anybody researched the opening and closing dates of signal boxes on the SMJ?

At 23:11 on August 30, 2012, les gee said…

Hi Andy,thanks for the welcome,just been trying to find any pictures at all of the SMJ between Cockley and Helmdon, not had much luck so thought would try here.

Les

At 8:46 on August 12, 2012, Graeme Belbin said…

Thanks for the welcome, Andy. I acquired the loco in the mid '80s. It was built by Jack Esdaile in the early 60s. He was one of Esdaile and sons who made scientific instruments from about 1919. They are best known for their various instruments used on the construction of Sydney Harbour Bridge including a cable tension measurer which enabled the two arches to be hung out over the harbour to meet in the middle.I'm predominantly into narrow gauge and own a little Baldwin loco built in 1889 which I operate up at Toronto, north of Sydney. I also make rail DVDs for a living.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rktvK9E2eys&list=UUjFlhmV5OlH-qjU1_HOaKkA&index=8&feature=plcp

If this link doesn't work, do a search on Youtube for belbinvideo channel.

Sorry to prattle on so much about myself. My family has strong connections with the English railways also which I'll save for another time.

At 7:59 on June 17, 2012, Peter William Reynolds said…

Andy,Thanks for the welcome but you and I have communicated before. I'm the Reynolds who sent you pictures of the Birmingham museum layout and the  loco in Gayton quarries. It just that when I signed in I used the full "credit card" name without thinking. I'm the Bill Reynolds of those communications!   

At 14:56 on April 29, 2012, Ross Howard said…

Hi Andy,

Thanks for the welcome. I live in Kingsthorpe, Northampton.

A multitude of factors have brought about a fascination in the SMJ which is why I found your excellent website and decided to join the society.

My father instilled a passion for railways in me from my earliest childhood years. My particular interest has changed from trains (and weekends spent on the end of platforms!) towards an almost obsessional thirst for knowledge of disused/dismantled railways and associated railway history - specifically of my locale, though my remit seems to be expanding further afield!

Since I began working in Towcester a few years ago my journey to work following the old Northampton-Blisworth line, the ironstone quarries near Gayton, the site of the former brickworks and past the embankments of the SMJ have held me intrigued. It always bewildered me that Towcester doesn't have a train station - then like you, I found out it did!

Country walks with my wife across southern parts of Northants soon unravelled plenty more to feed my inquisitiveness. Alas, my wife shares little of my passion for defunt railways but a shared love of our area and the great outdoors has meant I have a willing companion to conduct investigations. As I was born too late to see Britain's railways at their most fullsome it is perhaps understandable that the current state of the SMJ is what I most wish to see. I see many members have walked most of the trackbed as it stands today.

My father was only too happy to share his books, maps and memories of the SMJ as well as looking forward to joining me on my explorations. I intend to post findings on this website. I should be able to persuade my father to join our ranks as well!

Ross

At 18:11 on April 6, 2012, Ian Lyman said…

   Is my photo of the signalman with Harold Stones on the platform at Blakesley your uncle Frank Reynolds then?

Ian Lyman

At 18:22 on January 22, 2012, stuart reynolds said…

Andy,

Many thanks for the welcome. I grew up in Blakesley and was lucky enough to spend most saturday mornings prior to closure in the signal box as my uncle, frank reynolds, was the signalman at the time. I even managed a few trips on the morning pick up to woodford west.  Trying to find my old number books and photo,s

Stuart

 
 
 

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