‘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"
Not sure if others are aware of the significant amount of documents held by the National Archives on the SMJ. The collection consists mainly of Directors Minutes etc. There is also a collection of early 20th C timetables, handbills etc. which I have…Continue
HiI'm selling my collection of SMJR related 00 gauge modelsIf of interest for any of you please contact me by mail atjfreuville@gmail.comand I will send you the list and photosKind regardsJackContinue
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, 2025.
According to Doug Blake's book ( village historian) Bob Salmons used to work for Mrs Bartholomew and used to go to Blakesley station to collect her newspapers which was specially despatched by W H Smith morning and evening. While he was doing this one day the station master suggested to him that as he spent so much time there he ought to apply for a job on the railway and that exactly what he did. I believe he is still living somewhere in the Towcester area.
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David
I've recently updated and added to the Blakesley page, so if you haven't already had a look at it, here's a link
http://thesmjr.ning.com/page/blakesley-1
Incidentally I lived there during the 50's and 60's so I probably knew your relatives who you stayed with.
Dick Bodily
What is your link with the SMJ? Did you used to live round these parts?
Andy