‘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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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

Modifications to Towcester building date?

I have only just noticed that the upper windows on the Banbury/Stratford wall of the main station building (small ones below the eves) were a later modification as they are not present on the earlier photos of the station (namely those with the "square" footbridge),
Anyone know when these were added by any change or at least narrow it down to a gap of years?

Cheers all

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Permalink Reply by Barry Taylor on December 28, 2011 at 14:37

Hi Gary - good point - I had not noticed this before!

Just had a quick look at my Towcester photos, and the common denominator might be the existence of the platform canopy - the windows don't seem to be there when there is a canopy present - very strange.

The only thing that I can think of is that perhaps, with the upper storey being used as living accommodation (?), maybe the 'authorities' were then obliged to provide a means of escape in case of fire? Perhaps this was not necessary when they could have scrambled out onto the canopy, but its removal incurred the wrath of an early form of 'Elf 'n safety' inspector? Depends on the internal layout of the building and whether another means of access / escape was available. Can't think of another good reason though. As for a date, I'll have to dig a bit further.