‘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

Stoke Bruerne

Stoke Bruerne
Salcey Forest
Ravenstone Wood

Stoke Bruerne station opened to passengers in December 1892 and closed in March 1893. There was one other station on the line from Towcester to Olney, Salcey Forest, which was literally in the
middle of nowhere. A train and loco were hired from the Midland Railway at Bedford to operate the Olney to Towcester service for £500.00 per quarter. At the end of the first quarter passenger
receipts averaged £5, so the Company gave it up as a bad job.

The station was however used by specials, such as Sunday School outings, and also specials to Towcester for the Easter Monday race meetings from London (St Pancras) via Bedford, plus troop trains in both World Wars. Goods traffic of farming supplies (fertilisers etc) and coal survived until 1953

Station Masters House - Stoke Bruerne

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