‘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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Aircraft crash 8 Replies

HelloI’m intrigued by the statement found in Wikipedia08/12/1944 Wellington LN845 –C of 11 OTU overshot a forced landing at RAF Stratford and ran onto the railway at the end of the runway. The aircraft was only lightly damaged until it was hit by a…Continue

Started by Jack Freuville. Last reply by Jack Freuville Feb 16.

Link to About my Area website article about the unveiling of Towcester sign 2 Replies

To read the article about the Towcester Running in sign being unveiled follow link below…Continue

Started by Dick Bodily. Last reply by Dick Bodily Dec 21, 2019.

Coaches used on SMJ 1948-1952 1 Reply

I was wondering if anybody could tell me what coaching stock was used on the SMJ between 1948-1952. I've started Building Byfield station building and managed to find basically what locos were used but coaches........? Can't seem to find…Continue

Started by Clive. Last reply by Steve Johns Oct 16, 2019.

Towcester station sign unvieling 1 Reply

The unveiling of the Towcester Station Sign!To all our Towcester area members. Can anyone make the following event in Towcester tomorrow representing the society?Quote:"We have decided to do the unveiling ceremony at 4pm tomorrow, Fri 11 Oct, at…Continue

Started by Andy Thompson. Last reply by Dick Bodily Oct 10, 2019.

SMJ photos

Ravenstone Wood

Stoke Bruerne
Salcey Forest
Ravenstone Wood

Ravenstone Wood Signal Box Lever Plates

The SMJ line from Towcester joined the Midland Railway's Northampton-Bedford line near Olney at a place known as Ravenstone
Wood. Authorised by an act of Parliament in 1879 as the Easton
Neston Mineral & Towcester, Roade & Olney Junction Railway
(renamed in 1882 the Stratford-upon-Avon, Towcester & Midland
Junction Railway), and built partly on the route of an earlier
ironstone tramway, the line was not opened until 1891 and only
operated a timetabled passenger service for a few months. It
continued to carry goods traffic until 1958. The Olney line closed
in 1958 and much of its route was later absorbed into adjoining
fields.

Ravenstone Wood Junction and Signal box

Although its regular passenger traffic operations from Ravenstone Wood Junction were short lived, the railway did provide
a cross-country link for goods traffic. The only passenger train to
use this line in the 1930's and 40's was an excursion train that
ran on Easter Monday from Luton to Towcester Races. The fare from
Olney in the 1930's was 1/6d return (7½ p).

The site of the junction now (2009) has returned to nature and is indeed, a wood!

Ravenstone Wood Signal box

Find more
photos like this on "The Unofficial SMJ Society" at www.smj.me