‘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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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.

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

Charity Railway trips over unusual track

Colleagues,

Apologies for a 'hefty' post that is not SMJ related but is for charity and surely of interest to any railway enthusiast!

Some of you may remember last year I told you about the opportunity to travel on the SMJ by a Branch Line Society Charity Trip. These are now becoming the vogue for the BLS in partnership with various Train Operating Companies. They normally work by all the BLS fare box and other fundraising activity being donated to the nominated charity. The TOC provide the train free, all the staff are volunteers and Network Rail waive track access charges. I was on one of these last week and it raised £18000 for the Railway Children charity!

I attach an application form for anybody who might be interested in going on the next one from Norwich, you will see there is some very interesting track.

It might be that I could tempt you to join the Branch Line Society, details at http://www.branchline.org.uk/

If you a regular participant of the various trips etc you will soon recoup your £27 per year for

the Electronic copy of the bi weekly magazine. I do know there some other interesting trips, at least one relatively local in the pipeline.

Regards

Dave Hayward