‘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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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 on Thursday.

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 Postage stamps 1911 and 1924

A couple of items recently up for auction.GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY COMPANY AND STRATFORD-UPON-AVON & MIDLAND JUNCTION: 6…Continue

Started by Graham Ward May 21.

SMJ photos

Woodford Halse - Banbury 27th August 1966

I apologise for being slightly 'off-piste' with this enquiry. I am referring to the SLS 'Farewell to GCR' DMU railtour of 27/8/1966 from Birmingham New Street. Does anyone hold or know of operating details or images of this tour?

As part of the itinerary the tour made a single journey from Banbury to Woodford Halse. With only a week to go to the last day of 3rd September on the GCR, would there have been any subsequent trains between Banbury and Woodford Halse following the SLS tour?

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Permalink Reply by Dick Bodily on April 22, 2014 at 20:07

The York - Bournemouth Cross Country trains ran that route right up to the final day ( 3/9/66) The last working being by a Brush Type 4 north of Banbury. Freight finished on this route the previous June.

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Permalink Reply by Robin Cullup on April 23, 2014 at 12:03

If you can find a copy of Robert Robotham's book "The Last Years of the Great Central Main Line" you will find a chapter devoted to the Last Day (3.9.1966). This is an accurate account of the last workings, and as has been stated the trains between Bournemouth and York used the Culworth Jcn - Banbury link on a daily basis. During the last days a "B1" (61306) worked up to Marylebone where it subsequently failed - it and a "Black 5" that had also failed were dragged back to Banbury by a 9F during the last week - using the Culworth Jcn - Banbury link as well. On the last day 61306 was "dead" on Banbury shed.

I spent the day watching the last knockings - and very sad it was.

The climax - if you can call it that - was to watch the last day special hauled by "Merchant Navy" 35030 come through Woodford Halse at some speed in the gathering dusk. This was the way for a Main Line to go out - with an express roaring away into the night.