LMS Route: Stratford Midland Junction - The Shakespeare Route

Stratford on Avon Station: smjsa52

SMJ 2-4-0 No 6 stands at the head of three-coach train for Towcester at the station shortly after the formation of the SMJ in 1909. The E&WJR signal box can just be seen above the first coach whilst its 1910 replacement which would have been seen above the second or third carriage is not visible. The large gap between platforms is clearly evident in this photograph and has been the subject of some debate as to why the platforms were so wide apart. JM Dunn in his book speculated that it was because a temporary platform was built prior to the erection of a platform.

However earlier photographs show there was no logic to his thinking. Another more probable reason is connected to the introduction of the extension to Broom. Up to this point the station was a terminus and the frequency of passenger traffic did not justify more than one platform. The new service required passengers travelling on to Broom (for forward connection) to have a platform and this was aligned with the route which because it sharply veered to the left and climbed rapidly over the GWR Stratford to Cheltenham route required the down platform to be so positioned.

back