‘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
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 20 hours ago.
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
Local nicknames from Roade village for the SMJ
A book published by the Roade Local History Society entitled 'Roade through the camera', ISBN 978-0-9563496-0-6, 2009 has a small piece on the SMJ in Chapter 12: Railways.
There are two photos; the first of a goods train heading toward the SMJ spur taken in Aug 1890 and the second of the construction of the SMJ bay at Roade station c.1890. There is an accompanying diagram of the LNWR and the SMJ through Roade. Intrestingly for industrial railway historians there is a tramway shown descending to the LNWR from the lime pits which stood where Pianoforte factory now stands (albeit empty). Knowledge of this tramway and information on these pits is scarce. The diagram is detailed and shows individual lines, such as the double tracked SMJ spur and sidings.
The text consists of only a paragraph that describes the SMJ's route through the village and the purpose of the railway. Apparently the SMJ was known locally as the 'slow, miserable and jolty', the 'linger and die' and the 'bread and herring'. It was also known as 'the scratter', the book questions whether this final nickname had any connections to a traditional cider apple masher. Having asked people of more advanced years than me, Northamptonshire does not have a cider heritage so I would estimate there is no connection.
The book is mainly photographic with accompanying descriptions rather than text-rich. Understandably the subject of railways mainly concerns Roade Cutting and the long-gone station.
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