‘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 on Friday.
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
Kineton
Add a Comment
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Comment by adrian vaughan on December 8, 2009 at 15:48
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Thanks very much for your info, Richard. Very interesting.
Adrian.
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Comment by Richard Hopkins on December 8, 2009 at 15:46
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I believe the building behind the signal box is the bus garage of Stratford Blue Motor Services. The garage originally belonged to the Kineton Green Bus Services which Stratford Blue absorbed in 1937.
The garage was rebuilt in the 1950’s which explains why it looks new in the photograph. I think the building is still there today but I’m not sure what it’s used for.
With bus competition so near it helps to explains why the SMJ passenger services did not last long after nationalisation.
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Don't know about the stock on the siding but there is a man on the platform ramp who might be an Inspector type and a porter is walking away from camera on platform. I get the strong impression that the train from which this was taken has been stood here for a while while the enthusiasts take photos and is in this picture just pulling away, watched by that Inspectorial person. I think this could be the train seen in another picture hauled by the 75xxx?
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Comment by Andy Thompson on December 8, 2009 at 8:15
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A scene lost to time and the car! What's the unit behind the station? It look new! Andy
© 2025 Created by Andy Thompson.
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