‘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 and an SMJ stamp
This item has come up in an auction recently and is a glimpse of the practice of carrying mail by train. Apart from the SMJ…Continue
Started by Graham Ward Nov 14.
Further about Ravenstone Wood Junction 1 Reply
Firstly a belated thanks to Barry for his excellent research that has returned these signal lever plates to their rightful home! [Perhaps their place of residence on the website needs changing!] Apologies for starting s new Forum discussion on this…Continue
Started by Dave Hayward. Last reply by Barry Taylor Oct 23.
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 Oct 9.
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.
SMJ photos
THE EARL OF POMFRET 1815 BRICK.
Found in a house on the Easton Neston estate, this was the predecessor to the Easton Estate & Mining Co. Ltd.formed by Sir Thomas Fermor-Hesketh in 1873. I believe in 1815 the 3rd Earl of Pomfret, was a George Fermor who was born in 1768, died in 1830, and had as his seat Easton Neston house and grounds. The brick works in the north of the parish would have been under his control. The title became extinct on the death of the fourth earl's son, in 1867, who never married. The 3rd and 4th earls were brothers and both succeeded to the title.
It has been stated that a brick kiln had been established between 1806 and 1827 on the west side of the Northampton road and was operated directly by the estate. They made both common and special bricks, roofing and flooring tiles, drain pipes and chimney pots. In 1849 the output included 107,000 common bricks, 25,000 plain roofing tiles, and 294,500 pipes of various sizes. In 1855 there was both an Old Yard and a New Yard, both appear to be on the same site. The brick works appear to be in use until after the death of the 5th earl, but had closed by 1872. What we don't know is exactly when the kiln was established.
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