‘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
Further about Ravenstone Wood Junction
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 on Saturday.
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.
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 photos
Binton
The East & West Junction railway (E&W) proposed a new line from a junction with the Northampton & Banbury Junction Railway at Greens Norton to Stratford Upon Avon. In 1864 Lady Palmerson came and cut the first sod. The E&W became a part of the SMJ in January 1st, 1909.
I was born and bred in Binton, consequently my first interest in railways was the SMJ and then the GWR at Stratford. At the age of eight I would cycle down to either Binton Bridges or the farm overbridge immediately to the west of Binton station to watch the freight trains pass by. Those going west were often as I recall loaded iron ore trains heading for South Wales, returning as loaded coal trains, usually hauled by either Austerity 2-8-0's or BR Standard 9F's. If only I had a camera in those days as these trains would have volcanic exhausts as they worked upgrade through the station heading towards Broom. The station had long since closed but was occupied by dredging contractors Bomford & Carr, parked in the yard wre a number of Fowler ploughing engines converted from steam power to diesel either with the power unit mounted on top of the boiler or in the tender. Some of these ploughing engines still exist, stored in the open near Bidford on Avon. The station site is now a LPG storage depot, I did however recently have a stroke of good luck and was able to purchase one of the Binton station signs, an aluminium hawkeye pattern.
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