‘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

National Archives, Donation and Kineton Photograph

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

Started by Dave Hayward Apr 26.

Model Railways

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

Started by Jack Freuville Feb 23.

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 Nov 14, 2025.

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, 2025.

SMJ photos

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Blisworth Mail Catching Apparatus

Does anyone know where the "mailbag catching apparatus" was installed, before WWII, near Blisworth Station to serve the up and down expresses?  I have accumulated conflicting opinions and can only rule out the station itself with reference to a 200:1 scale pre-war map that we possess at Blisworth. I am left with (a) near the canal bridge, (b) near the road arch and (c) just about halfway between the two.
Regards  Tony Marsh

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Permalink Reply by David Chambers on December 5, 2010 at 22:08
Tony
The mail catching apparatus at Blisworth, scaled from a section of linen backed map in my possession is:
Measured to the North from the centre of the A43 bridge. Down line 324 yds. Up line 330 yds. The postmens huts are shown preceding the apparatus by approx 6 yds in each direction. Should you wish to view the drawing/map and scale it yourself, you may.
Dave Chambers
Permalink Reply by Tony Marsh on December 6, 2010 at 9:03


David Chambers said:
Tony
The mail catching apparatus at Blisworth, scaled from a section of linen backed map in my possession is:
Measured to the North from the centre of the A43 bridge. Down line 324 yds. Up line 330 yds. The postmens huts are shown preceding the apparatus by approx 6 yds in each direction. Should you wish to view the drawing/map and scale it yourself, you may.

Thank you David - I would like a photo of the track, map markings and huts area. Quite happy to journey to you to do this given you are not to far from Blisworth where I live. I have a weather-permitting break starting Thursday so either could do this very soon or early in new year - what do you think? My phone is 01604 879199. Regards Tony

Dave Chambers

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