‘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"
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
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.
Gents
Please feel free to add to this time line. I've left a few gaps
1st Jan 1909. The SMJ came into being from the amalgamation of 'The East & West Junction Railway' (E+WJR), 'The Evesham, Redditch and Stratford Railway' ER+SR), and changing its name to ‘The Stratford-upon-Avon, Towcester and Midland Junction Railway’ (ST+MJR), ‘The Easton Neston Mineral and Towcester, Roade and Olney Junction Railway’ (ENM+TROJR).
1866 Northampton & Banbury Junction Railway opened between Blisworth and Towcester
August 1871 NBJR line extended to Helmdon and Cockley Brake junction, which gave it access to Banbury
1871 E+WJR opened between Fenny Compton and Kineton
1st July 1873 E+WJR opened Fenny Compton to Greens Norton junction (with NBJR) and Kineton to Stratford.
June 1879 ER+SJR opened Stratford to Broom Junction
Jan 1, 1923 SMJ became part of LMS at Grouping