‘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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Further about Ravenstone Wood Junction

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 on Saturday.

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.

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 photos

M40 motorway

A far more up to date question than my last one re: North End and Warwick Road - but the same area of the SMJ line.

Does anyone have precise dates and details for the bridging of the M40 motorway, when the SMJ was realigned slightly from its old course?

Was the line actually closed for a period of time while this was carried out, or was the new section constructed and then the line switched over without a break?

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Permalink Reply by NIGEL on April 5, 2015 at 20:44

Correction to last statement......only part of the line in this area is welded continuously. Some of the track is on concrete sleepers, a small length from bridge 65 is still on wooden sleepers. Photo above shows old course of the line on the R.H.S. Looking towards bridge 65 at Northend.

There is a farm crossing point here in the foreground.

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Permalink Reply by NIGEL on April 5, 2015 at 20:55

View of M40 bridge showing why the track had to be elevated to the extent that it has. The old SMJ line disappears into the bushes and trees on the other side of the motorway, centre of photo. Looking towards Kineton.

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Permalink Reply by NIGEL on April 5, 2015 at 21:59

The transition from wooden to concrete sleepers is evident at this point. Most of the track chairs are G.W.R. dated 1920's and 1930's with a few B.R. (W.R.) ones on the wooden sleepers. A few tens of yards from the farm crossing on the Northend side.