‘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
Ravenstone Wood Junction Signal Box-an anomaly 3 Replies
Closely examining the brass lever plates shown in the Olney Line entry in the Index Section of this website I noticed a significant anomaly. Some of the above plates, specifically 1, 10, 11, 12, 25, 32, 34. refer to platforms, loading dock, goods…Continue
Started by Dave Hayward. Last reply by Barry Taylor on Thursday.
SMJ keys from the Towcester area 1 Reply
I have been contacted by someone who wishes to dispose of two sets of SMJ-related keys from the Towcester area, but does not want to put personal email or other details on this website. They have been given to him by the estate manager at Easton…Continue
Started by Barry Taylor. Last reply by Barry Taylor Sep 4.
Bridge sign 3 Replies
An East and West Junction and Stratford-On-Avon, Towcester and Midland Junction Railways bridge weight notice, cast iron, 16½"x11¾", the front repainted. As is usual, the company title has been altered to Stratford-On-Avon and Midland Junction…Continue
Started by Graham Ward. Last reply by Russ Firth Jun 1.
SMJ Postage stamps 1911 and 1924
A couple of items recently up for auction.GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY COMPANY AND STRATFORD-UPON-AVON & MIDLAND JUNCTION: 6…Continue
Started by Graham Ward May 21.
SMJ photos
Banana Specials and Race Day Excursions.
Also in which year did the Race Day Excursions last run? - the races were on Easter Monday each year. In one of Dr Ian Allen's photographic albums there is a photograph of a locomotive - I think a "3F" - with "British Railways" written in full on the tender, so this gives a date of certainly 1948, but probably 1949 or later, so this is the first clue.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by David Blagrove on
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So far as Towcester Races are concerned Easter Monday was for many years the traditional date. It is a steeplechase course and until comparatively recently Lord Hesketh, the then owner, only opened the course for racing on this day (and in latter years Boxing Day). The last passenger services over the SMJ were withdrawn as from Saturday 5th April 1952 and that year Easter Monday was on 14th April. This leads one to suppose that the once-heavy Easter Monday traffic was no longer expected at Towcester by the time of the ending of passenger services.
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