‘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 keys from the Towcester area

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 on Thursday.

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.

More building at Towcester 3 Replies

I hear there has been more building at the station site in Towcester.Anyone know what they've dug up?…Continue

Tags: Towcester

Started by Andy Thompson. Last reply by John Evans Apr 19.

SMJ photos

Modifications to Towcester building date?

I have only just noticed that the upper windows on the Banbury/Stratford wall of the main station building (small ones below the eves) were a later modification as they are not present on the earlier photos of the station (namely those with the "square" footbridge),
Anyone know when these were added by any change or at least narrow it down to a gap of years?

Cheers all

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Permalink Reply by Barry Taylor on December 28, 2011 at 14:37

Hi Gary - good point - I had not noticed this before!

Just had a quick look at my Towcester photos, and the common denominator might be the existence of the platform canopy - the windows don't seem to be there when there is a canopy present - very strange.

The only thing that I can think of is that perhaps, with the upper storey being used as living accommodation (?), maybe the 'authorities' were then obliged to provide a means of escape in case of fire? Perhaps this was not necessary when they could have scrambled out onto the canopy, but its removal incurred the wrath of an early form of 'Elf 'n safety' inspector? Depends on the internal layout of the building and whether another means of access / escape was available. Can't think of another good reason though. As for a date, I'll have to dig a bit further.